When we started talking about the new 5G technology, we were promised that it would be possible to download movies in a few seconds and that IoT devices would connect to the Internet via 5G. But, as anyone who owns a 5G smartphone can tell, none of that was accomplished. However, everything can change with the new 5G modem Snapdragon X75 da Qualcomm. The X75 implements a suite of new technologies that make next generation 5G devices faster and more efficient.
This will be the first modem that implements version 18 of the 3GPP standard, which is the first of the advanced phase of 5G technology. This version’s specifications will finally allow the promises made for 5G in mobile and IoT devices to finally come true. Qualcomm’s new modem saves space on devices, because it uses a single transceiver for 5G signals below 6 GHz and millimeter wave, which saves 25% of space on device boards, compared to previous models. The new modem also consumes 20% less power compared to previous models.
This new modem also speeds up data uploads because it supports MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) 5G, with two simultaneous data streams using a technology called Frequency Division Duplex (FDD).
One of the most interesting new features in the X75 is the support for operator signal aggregation. This technology allows the modem to combine multiple frequencies to transmit data faster. In LTE networks, also called 4G, the use of this technology has made it possible to increase transmission speeds from tens to hundreds of megabits per second and may substantially increase speeds in 5G networks. The X75 allows the combination of six frequencies below 6 GHz and up to 10 in millimeter wave.
The X75 also received optimizations through Artificial Intelligence. According to Qualcomm, the second-generation AI accelerator built into this chip improves location accuracy, allowing devices to connect to antennas with the best signal. This also means that the connections are more reliable, even when using the devices in areas where networks are more saturated, such as in city centers. Artificial Intelligence also optimizes the handling of mmWave signals to improve reliability.
The Snapdragon X75 is the successor to the Snapdragon X70, which is coming to current devices as part of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Possibly, the X75 should arrive together with the Gen 3 chip that should start shipping in late 2023.
