Qualcomm Snapdragon X60 5G, first RF modem for mmWave and sub-6 bands

Snapdragon X60 it's official: Qualcomm Technologies announced it exactly one year after the X55 debut, revealing its new third generation 5G modem-antenna solution made with a 5 nanometer production process. It is the world's first 5G RF modem system support spectrum aggregation between all bands and 5G combinations, included mmWave and sub-6, using both duplex a frequency division (FDD) that the duplex a temporal division (TDD).

Such a solution can offer operators maximum flexibility in improving 5G performance by using fragmented spectrum resources while increasing average speeds in mobile devices.

Snapdragon X60 is designed to accelerate network transition in 5G "standalone" mode by supporting any band, mode or spectrum combination in addition to the 5G Voice-over-NR (VoNR) functionality. The modem also integrates the new antenna module Qualcomm QTM535 mmWave, designed to offer superior quality performance and which has a more compact design than the previous generation capable of allowing the development and realization of even thinner smartphones.

Snapdragon X60 guarantees web browsing speeds similar to those offered by fiber solutions with low latency, delivered wirelessly on 5G networks, which will make it possible to create a new generation of applications and "related experiences", from multiplayer games, to immersive 360 ​​degrees videos, to connected cloud computing. All with high energy efficiency.

2019 will be remembered as the year of the launch of the 5G networks. In early 2020, over 45 operators have activated 5G services and beyond 40 manufacturers are bringing new devices to the market. Qualcomm is certainly among the protagonists of this transition: initially with the Snapdragon X50, which allowed the launch of 5G services using the mmWave and the spectrum below 6 GHz, subsequently with the Snapdragon X55 which helped to accelerate the implementation and l expansion of 5G with the addition of support for standalone (SA) 5G, FDD 5G and dynamic spectrum sharing.

Natural evolution of these Modem-RF System, the new Snapdragon X60, as mentioned, is the first modem in the world to support mmWave-sub6 aggregation which will allow operators to maximize spectrum resources. Snapdragon X60 also integrates the first solution of carrier aggregation sub-6 5G FDD-TDD as well as supporting the 5G FDD-FDD and TDD-TDD carrier aggregation and dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) which will allow the reuse of the LTE spectrum for 5G.

The 5G modem-antenna solution can offer download speeds of up to 7.5 gigabits per second (Gbps) and 3 Gbps upload. Furthermore, the aggregation of the sub-6 GHz spectrum in standalone mode allows doubling the peak data rate.

The VoNR support with which the Snapdragon X60 is equipped will represent an important step in the transition from non-standalone to stand-alone mode, as it will allow mobile operators to provide high quality voice services on 5G NR networks.

Qualcomm Technologies plans to begin shipping Snapdragon X60 and QTM535 samples in the first quarter of 2020. The first smartphones to integrate them are scheduled for early 2021.

• 5nm production process that offers greater energy efficiency in a small footprint.
• Support for 5G FDD-TDD sub-6 aggregation which helps networks maximize spectrum resources for coverage and peak speeds.
• Support for aggregation of the 5G TDD-TDD sub-6 which allows SA networks to double peak speeds (compared to Snapdragon X55).
• MmWave-sub6 aggregation that allows operators to get the best of both solutions: network capacity and coverage.
• The new Qualcomm QTM535 mmWave antenna module is smaller than the previous generation and allows for new, thinner designs for mmWave smartphones with improved performance.