Qualcomm unveiled fresh developments for its millimetre-wave (mmWave) 5G technologies at the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2021) in Barcelona earlier this week.
The technology allows for mobile operators to transfer high rates of data for user experiences and boosting system efficiency, which Qualcomm aims to expand in the near future.
Such technologies will allow the “convergence of the physical, digital, and virtual worlds”, the company said, adding mmWave technologies would develop along with new devices capable of facilitating human-to-machine interfaces such as virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR).
Qualcomm also aims to build ‘boundless extended reality (XR)’ infrastructure to optimise end-to-end communication, aimed at backing multiple VR users across numerous applications such as in enterprise collaboration and gaming, to showcase the technology’s low-latency innovations and improvements.
The California-based firm also tested its outdoor OTA networks in San Diego, which found its mmWave technolgies support repeater prototypes for added system reliability and extended coverage.
Ozge Koymen, Qualcomm Senior Director of Technology, told reporters:
“Repeaters can absolutely be a cost-effective way of improving coverage, mobility, robustness. Each kind of repeater really has its own advantages and disadvantages as different cost point and they all play a role in improving millimeter wave coverage”
Further mmWave support included machine learning-based beamforming prediction, allowing 5G connections to use maximum capacity and improve device battery life.
The company has also taken a machine learning approach to several network topology optimisations, which determine the arrangement of telecommunication networks.
Such machine learning optimisations allow Qualcomm to build digital twins of cities and deployment areas using multiple data sources on environmental conditions, which can later be converted into graphs to determine performance and costs, as well as equipment to use in the network.
VR Industry Backs Qualcomm’s 5G mmWave Solutions
According to numerous industry leaders, mmWave technologies would offer new capabilities in mixed reality (MR), telehealth, and smart manufacturing, among others.
Per Narvinger, Ericsson’s Head of Product Area Networks, said in a statement fixed wireless assets (FWA) users could enjoy ‘fibre-like’ experiences with Qualcomm’s technologies, adding his firm welcomed the “wider ecosystem support for this important technology”.
Vipul Dalal, Divisional Vice-President for Kyocera International Inc, added mmWave connections would support his firm’s DuraForce Ultra 5G UW ultra-rugged smartphone using applications in edge computing and augmented reality.
Patrick Qian, Chief Executive Officer for Quectel, said that his firm’s mmWave modules have backed commercial deployments of 5G-enabled VR/AR gaming due to its partnership with Qualcomm.
Qualcomm’s XR Initiative
The news comes just months after Qualcomm announced its XR for Enterprise Programme aimed at developing ecosystems for the emerging technology for businesses.
According to the US firm, the Qualcomm XR Enterprise Programme (XEP) would aim to “accelerate the adoption of XR in a broad range of industries”, adding it would offer members access to “a global community of resources , co-marketing opportunities, business development” and others.
Over 60 members have joined the XEP, covering multiple vertical industries in aerospace, education, automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, transport, travel, energy, and many others.
