The record was achieved using the Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 chipset
Qualcomm has claimed a new record, achieving a download rate of 7.5 Gb/s in sub-6 GHz bands using a Standalone (SA) 5G network configuration, four-channel carrier aggregation (4CA) and its Snapdragon X75 chipset.
The record was achieving with 300 megahertz of spectrum using 4CA TDD in one downlink connection, along with 1024 QAM. QAM, or Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, represents discrete phases of magnitude that can be transmitted to the carrier, and when compared with 256 QAM, 1024 QAM offers increased spectral efficiency by adding more data in each transmission.
Further, Qualcomm also stated that the aggregation of four TDD channels allows operators to combine various spectrum assets to achieve higher data throughput.
4CA TDD and 1024 QAM are both capabilities present on the company’s Snapdragon X75 chipset, which it announced ahead of MWC Barcelona. The chipset is positioned as 5G-Advanced product and features 10-carrier mmWave aggregation, a converged mmWave/sub-6 GHz transceiver and simplified and more efficient antenna modules, among other features.
Around the time of the chipset’s release, Qualcomm’s SVP of Engineering John Smee told RCR Wireless News: “With 5G Advanced beginning in Rel. 18, it’s really that first down payment on what’s coming in the second half of 5G.” He added that Snapdragon X75 would be ready-to-go for early 5G Advanced devices, and capable of evolving with the standard. It is currently sampling, with commercial devices expected to launch the second half of this year.