Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System

Qualcomm Technologies, today announced the Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System, its fourth-generation 5G modem-to-antenna solution. It is the world’s first 10 Gigabit 5G and the first 3GPP release 16 modem-RF system, which is currently sampling to OEMs and targeting commercial device launches in 2021. Snapdragon X65 is the Company’s biggest leap in 5G solutions since the commercialization of its first modem-RF system. It is designed to support the fastest 5G speeds currently available with fiber-like wireless performance and makes the best use of the available spectrum for ultimate network flexibility, capacity, and coverage. In addition to the Snapdragon X65, Qualcomm Technologies also announced the SnapdragonX62 5G Modem-RF System, a modem-to-antenna solution optimized for mainstream adoption of mobile broadband applications.

Key innovations in the flagship Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System include:

• Upgradable architecture allowing for enhancements, expandability, and customization across 5G segments and to enable major new forthcoming features, capabilities, and rapid rollout of new 3GPP Release 16 features via software updates. This upgradeable architecture allows for future-proofing of solutions based on Snapdragon X65, facilitating the adoption of new features, extending device lifespan, and helping reduce total cost of ownership -– especially as 5G expands into new vertical industries such as computing, industrial IoT, and fixed wireless access.
• Qualcomm^® QTM545 fourth-generation mmWave antenna module engineered for extending mobile mmWave coverage and power efficiency. The Qualcomm QTM545 mmWave antenna module pairs with the new Snapdragon X65 Modem-RF System to support higher transmit power as compared to the previous generations as well as support for all global mmWave frequencies, including the new n259 (41 GHz) band, while maintaining the same tiny footprint as the previous generation.
• The world’s first AI antenna tuning technology, the first step in taking advantage of more than a decade of groundbreaking AI research and development into mobile-RF systems – allowing for major improvements in cellular performance and power-efficiency. For instance, the use of AI increases accuracy in detecting hand grips by 30 percent compared to the previous generation. This improvement supports enhanced antenna tuning capabilities which leads to faster data speeds, better coverage, and longer battery life.
• Next-generation power-tracking solution that’s smaller, more efficient, and higher performance – a superior and cost-effective offering compared to average power tracking technology.
• The most comprehensive spectrum aggregation across all key 5G bands and combinations, including mmWave and sub-6, using frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD), providing operators ultimate flexibility in the use of fragmented 5G spectrum assets.
• Qualcomm® 5G PowerSave 2.0, which builds upon new power-saving technologies defined in 3GPP Release 16, such as Connected-Mode Wake-Up Signal.
• Qualcomm® Smart Transmit™ 2.0, a unique system-level technology licensed by Qualcomm Technologies for use with the Snapdragon X65 Modem-RF System that takes advantage of modem-to-antenna system awareness to increase upload data speeds and enhance coverage for both mmWave and Sub-6 GHz bands while continuing to meet RF emissions requirements.

These and many other improvements in the Modem-RF System are designed to deliver a superior 5G experience with faster cellular speeds, broader coverage, and support for all-day battery life. Snapdragon X65 is poised to support a new generation of premium smartphones and the expansion of 5G in segments such as PCs, mobile hotspots, industrial IoT, fixed wireless access, and 5G private networks. Qualcomm Technologies is also introducing a widely accessible sibling of the Snapdragon X65 – the Snapdragon X62 5G Modem-RF System. The Snapdragon X62 is a 5G modem-to-antenna solution supporting up to multi-Gigabit downloads for mobile broadband applications.

Features

• 10 Gbps peak speeds in 5G standalone and non-standalone modes
• 3GPP Release 16 support
• Upgradable architecture for rapid feature rollout
• 5G mmWave-sub6 aggregation
• Global 5G band support including the new n259 (41 GHz), n70 and n53 bands
• Advanced power-saving tech
  • Qualcomm® 5G PowerSave 2.0
  • Qualcomm® Wideband Envelope Tracking (7th gen)
  • Qualcomm® AI-Enhanced Signal Boost

Specifications

Cellular Modem

Modem Name: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X65 5G Modem-RF System

Peak Download Speed: 10 Gbps

Performance Enhancement Technologies: Qualcomm® 5G PowerSave 2.0, Qualcomm® Wideband Envelope Tracking, Qualcomm® Smart Transmit 2.0 technology, Qualcomm® RF Gaming Mode Boost

5G Spectrum: mmWave-sub6 aggregation, sub-6 carrier aggregation (FDD-TDD, FDD-FDD, TDD-TDD), Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS)

5G Technology: 5G NR

5G Modes: TDD, SA (standalone), NSA (non-standalone), FDD

5G mmWave specs: 1000 MHz bandwidth, 10 carriers, 2×2 MIMO

5G sub-6 GHz specs: 300 MHz bandwidth, 256-QAM, 4×4 MIMO

Multi SIM: Global 5G Multi-SIM

Cellular Technology: 5G NR, LTE, WCDMA (DB-DC-HSDPA), TD-SCDMA, CDMA 1x, GSM/EDGE

Source QualComm Press Release