Qualcomm Snapdragon X60 5G Modem Designed for 5nm Release

It is complemented by an RF unit.
Qualcomm Technologies introduced a new product, which the manufacturer defines as the 5G Modem-RF System, that is, an integrated solution in which the 5G modem is supplemented with a radio frequency unit. The product, referred to the third generation of 5G solutions, is called the Snapdragon X60.

For the first time in the world, the Snapdragon X60 modem is designed for release at 5 nm standards. In addition, it is the first and so far the only modem system in the world that supports frequency aggregation in all 5G key ranges and their combinations, including mmWave and sub-6 with time (time division duplex, TDD) and frequency (frequency division duplex, FDD) separation. This will allow you to flexibly increase throughput using available fragmented parts of the spectrum. Another advantage of the Snapdragon X60 is the support of key frequency ranges and modes, as well as voice transmission on a 5G NR (5G Voice-over-NR, VoNR) network, which should facilitate the transition to standalone (SA) 5G mode.

The Snapdragon X60 uses the new Qualcomm QTM535 mmWave third-generation antenna module. According to the manufacturer, its compactness will reduce the thickness of smartphones.

Allegedly, the Snapdragon X60 provides 5G wireless Internet connection with speed and latency, which are comparable to the speed and latency of a fiber optic connection. More precisely, the reception speed reaches up to 7.5 Gbit / s, the transmission rate is 3 Gbit / s.

Shipments of samples of the Snapdragon X60 and QTM535 will begin this quarter, and the appearance of serial smartphones based on the new modem radio system is expected at the beginning of next year.