Modem: MediaTek M90 overtakes Qualcomm with 12 Gbps in comments 19 comments
Image: Mediak
In the race for more and more powerful mobile modems, MediaTek is now taking the next major step with the new M90 and revamped Qualcomm for the first time in the speed in the downlink with up to 12 GBIT / s. The M90 is also MediaTek’s second modem, which supports MMWAVE, which is particularly relevant for US customers.
According to the chip developer, the first engineering samples of the MediaTek M90 are to be delivered in the second half of 2025. So far, MediaTek has not yet commented when use in the first devices can be expected. Due to the lead time required, it can be assumed from 2026 rather than 2025.
The M90 corresponds to the specifications of 3GPP version 17 and 18 of the standardization committee of the same name and therefore also supports advanced 5G as a further development of current 5G. 5G Advanced provides, among other things, uplink improvements, the standard also promises more flexibility when using the available spectrum and a synchronization service via the 5G network in order to be able to make a precise location itself without GPS.
Up to 12 Gbps in the downlink
At a maximum of 12 Gbit / s, the downlink of the M90 is, provided that several frequency blocks are merged (carrier aggregation), which includes the MMWAVE carrier also includes the millimeter wave spectrum of frequency range 2 (FR2), which provides a particularly high bandwidth. In frequency range 1 (FR1) in the sub-6 GHz spectrum used in Germany, up to six frequency straps (6CA) can be folded in the M90, in the FR2 there are up to ten and each with more bandwidth, so that A theoretical maximum of 12 Gbit / s results.
The M90 also supports 5G NRDC (New Radio Dual ConnectiviTiy), can therefore combine the sub-6 GHz spectrum (FR1) and MMWAVE (FR2) for more bandwidth at the new radio, i.e. the frequencies of 5G. With the measuring device manufacturer, MediaTek achieved 11.6 GBit / s in the downlink in an experimental configuration. In a test of the live network of the Australian network operator Telstra with equipment from Ericsson, almost 10 Gbit / s were possible. In tests with Verizon and Samsung, a maximum of 5.5 Gbit / s was achieved in tests with Verizon and Samsung using 6CA standalone (5G SA) to 5G SA).
The Qualcomms Jalship of the current Snapdragon X80 modem also corresponds to 3GPP version 17 and 18 and also offers 6CA at sub-6 GHz and 10CA at MMWAVE and thus shows at 10 Gbit / s in the Gbit / s down and 3.5 Gbit / s in the uplink.
Accelerated link with TX switching
MediaTek only provides uplink information as the “2T-2T uplink TX switching” of 3GPP Release 17 leads to 20% faster uplink. In the M80 presented in 2021, the maximum uplink is 3.76 Gbps. 2T-2T uplink TX switching is expected to eliminate uplink shortages, which are often available in mobile devices, for which only one (1T) or two (2T) transmission modules are available due to the compact design and for efficiency reasons. This combined carrier aggregation virtually uplink (often in the TDD band) and uplink MIMO (often in the FDD band).
Switching refers to the changing uplink in the TDD and FDD band. If time slots are currently assigned to downlink in the TDD band, a transmission channel for uplink is available in the FDD band. However, as soon as uplink is required in the TDD band with MIMO support, uplink can be used there in both time slots. This happens in constant change so that you can use both ligaments as efficiently as possible.
AI-CO and satellite processor support
The M90 also integrates MediaTek Modem AI (MMAI), in which AI models should be able to recognize patterns in data traffic or smartphone orientation to increase efficiency and performance. There is also a co-processor for AI in current Qualcomm modems.
In addition, there is non-terrestrial network (NTN) support for IoT-NTN with low bandwidth as well as for NR-NR (new radio) with high bandwidth, so that mobile communications can also be used via satellite connections.
Topics: MediaTek Cell Phone Processors Smartphone Source: MediaTek
Sarah tracks innovations in smartphones, evaluating their performance, design, and key features.
