Qualcomm X55 5G modem

[dkyeager]

The big news from this announcement is:

- Available in consumer products in late 2019

- One chip supports from 5g to 2G

- FDD now covered

- Supports G5 SA

- adaptive antenna tuning with smaller antennas

- faster

 

https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon-x55-5g-modem

https://www.qualcomm.com/media/documents/files/snapdragon-x55-infographic.pdf

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/releases/2019/02/19/qualcomm-unveils-worlds-most-advanced-commercial-multimode-5g-modem

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/releases/2019/02/19/qualcomm-announces-second-generation-5g-rf-front-end-solutions-sleeker-more

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/releases/2019/02/19/qualcomm-showcases-5g-nr-technology-evolution-new-applications-and-expanded

https://www.qualcomm.com/news/releases/2019/02/19/qualcomm-introduces-new-end-end-over-air-5g-test-networks-drive-5g

 

[Paynefanbro]

There's a few big deals, there's now compatibility for FDD networks meaning this one can likely be used on n71 for T-Mobile. There is also support for 4G/5G spectrum sharing which seems like a big deal for Sprint given what Ericsson said about the technology.

Quote

Spectrum Sharing enables Ericsson’s 4G radio hardware to dynamically and simultaneously service both 4G and 5G devices rather than being dedicated to just one standard. As a result, if a new 5G smartphone includes the ability to transmit on 2.5GHz radio frequencies that were previously used for 4G, it could use the same spectrum for a superior connection — when connected to a compatible radio. There should be quite a few of those: Ericsson says that Spectrum Sharing can be installed remotely via software on Ericsson Radio System radios shipped since 2015.

As the company notes, this software upgrade is standards-compliant, and it will let carriers quickly upgrade their nationwide networks to 5G coverage without completely dedicating existing 4G towers to 5G, a decision that would reduce 4G availability. Carriers using the new software will also be able to remotely allocate additional 5G capacity to their networks as demand shifts from 4G, a strategy Sprint said earlier this year it would employ in 2019.

 

[dkyeager]

18 minutes ago, Paynefanbro said:

There's a few big deals, there's now compatibility for FDD networks meaning this one can likely be used on n71 for T-Mobile. There is also support for 4G/5G spectrum sharing which seems like a big deal for Sprint given what Ericsson said about the technology.

 

My guess is the first generation of 5G phones will accomplish the spectrum sharing with two chipsets and a larger battery to handle it.

[RAvirani]

3 hours ago, Paynefanbro said:

There is also support for 4G/5G spectrum sharing which seems like a big deal for Sprint given what Ericsson said about the technology.

I did not know about this. I wonder if that means Sprint will be able to software upgrade other older Ericsson equipment to NR...

More research is definitely needed. 

[nexgencpu]

I'm assuming that this will allow all types of equipment to run on 5G, assuming without the benefit of being able to run carriers over 20mhz.

[bigsnake49]

Basically what this means is you skip the first generation phones powered by the X50 chipset and go for phones with the X55 in them. Which means waiting for 2020. Which is OK since the 5G networks in this country will have minuscule coverage in 2019.

[dkyeager]

3 hours ago, bigsnake49 said:

Basically what this means is you skip the first generation phones powered by the X50 chipset and go for phones with the X55 in them. Which means waiting for 2020. Which is OK since the 5G networks in this country will have minuscule coverage in 2019.

It all depends on whether Sprint has its act together.  If they have some clusters of Massive MIMOs deployed in their initial 5G markets and the firmware upgrades for 5G are ready and other precursors, and the LG 5G phone is available soon, that could be quite helpful to them.  Of course some marketing would also be good.

For most of us I agree that waiting is the rational choice.