Intel accelerates XMM 8160 5G multimode modem progress to support broad global 5G deployments

     Intel announces the XMM™ 8160 5G modem, a multimode modem optimized to provide 5G connectivity for devices such as mobile phones, PCS and broadband access gateways. Intel accelerated the progress of the modem, bringing forward the release date by more than half a year. The XMM™ 8160 5G modem will support peak rates of up to 6Gbps, three to six times higher than the latest LTE modems on the market. It will launch in the second half of 2019 and bring a variety of features and experiences to accelerate 5G adoption.

     Cormac Conroy, vice president and general manager of Intel's Communications Devices business group, said, "Intel's new XMM 8160 5G modem provides an ideal solution to support multiple device categories and meet a wide range of 5G deployments. We saw great demand for the advanced features of the XMM 8160, so we made the strategic decision to bring this modem forward by half a year to provide a leading 5G solution."

     The Intel XMM 8160 is a multimode modem, meaning it will support 5G New Air Port (NR) standards including standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) modes on a single chip, as well as support for existing 4G, 3G, and 2G access technologies.

     With single-chip multi-mode baseband capabilities, the Intel XMM 8160 5G modem will enable device manufacturers to design smaller, more energy efficient devices. Unlike the previously released competing 5G single-mode modems, the XMM 8160 does not require two separate modems for 5G and 4G/3G/2G network connections, and avoids the high design complexity, power management and device shape adjustment problems faced by using single-mode 5G chips.

     By going straight to a multimode solution, Intel will offer very noticeable improvements in power consumption, size and scalability. Intel's integrated multimode solution supports LTE and 5G dual connectivity (EN-DC), which guarantees backward 4G compatibility for mobile devices in the absence of a 5G network.

     The modem offers a variety of advanced technologies to support new millimeter wave (mmWave) bands, 5G NR below 6 GHz (including FDD and TDD bands from 600 MHz to 6 GHz), and download rates up to 6 Gbps. The industry's shift to mmwave and mid-band bands will address the huge demand for more bandwidth from users, devices and connected machines. In addition, the modem is designed for large-scale applications. With worldwide carrier support, extensive platform certification, and extensive original Equipment manufacturer (OEM) support, the Intel XMM 8160 modem will provide carriers and equipment manufacturers with the 5G capabilities they can rely on to support their global deployments.