The Qualcomm 5G RAN platform enables a new generation of virtualized interoperable cellular networks around the world

Qualcomm Technologies announced the launch of its 5G network Infrastructure family of chip platforms to accelerate the transformation of the cellular ecosystem to a virtualized, interoperable Radio Access Network (RAN) - a trend driven by 5G - for a wide range of deployment scenarios, from massive MIMO enabled macro base stations to compact, small base stations. Qualcomm Technologies introduces three new 5G RAN platforms: Qualcomm RF Cell Platform, Qualcomm Distributed Cell Platform, and Qualcomm Distributed RF Cell Platform. The three platforms are the first announced worldwide solutions designed to support the deployment of the next generation of open converged Virtual RAN (vRAN) networks by leading mobile operators. The platform is designed to enable communications equipment vendors to transform public and wireless enterprise private networks into innovation platforms that realize the full potential of 5G.

Launched three new 5G RAN platforms to enable operators to deploy a new generation of open converged vRAN networks

Cristiano Amon, president of Qualcomm Incorporated, said: "Qualcomm Technologies' deep 5G expertise and global technology leadership position the company well positioned to provide a comprehensive and rich network infrastructure platform to support large-scale deployment of innovative, high-performance, virtualized and modular 5G networks." We are working closely with mobile operators, network equipment manufacturers, standardization organizations and other stakeholders to implement these network deployments."

The 5G RAN family platform is designed to support existing and emerging network equipment vendors to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of vRAN equipment and features to meet the needs of public and private networks for 5G. The new platform offers a fully scalable and highly flexible architecture for both macro and small cell deployments, supporting full 5G functional division options between distributed units (DU) and radio frequency units (RU) - a strong complement to Qualcomm Technologies' existing small cell 5G RAN platform offerings.

The Qualcomm 5G RAN series platform supports a wide range of deployment scenarios

The new solutions build on Qualcomm Technologies' pioneering wireless technology expertise and long history of providing technology for cellular infrastructure, including supporting the commercial use of 3G network equipment during the 1990s and 2000s, and providing cellular chipsets for small cell sites over the past decade. Qualcomm Technologies' network infrastructure solutions have supported Rakuten Mobile in building the world's first large-scale deployment of vRAN in Japan.

Key highlights of Qualcomm 5G RAN series platform:

● For macro and small base stations: These solutions provide scalable support for a wide range of network infrastructures, from macro stations that support massive MIMO to small base stations.

● High-performance modem and RF system: Qualcomm's 5G RAN platform uses a complete 5G modem and RF system (including baseband, transceiver, RF front end, and antenna panel) designed to achieve superior wireless performance including high power and high capacity.

● High-performance virtualization products that support integrated hardware acceleration: The flexible vRAN architecture integrates hardware accelerators that support modems and forward processing, designed to support high-throughput, low-latency network processing with superior energy efficiency and compact device design.

● Flexible, scalable interoperable interface: Support for all major 5G functional partitioning options between distributed units (DU) and radio frequency units (RU), enabling the decoupling of RAN into standard-compliant and interoperable modular components.

● Integrated solutions that support sub-6ghz and MMwave: Distributed unit (DU) native integration supports both sub-6ghz and mmwave basebands, and Radio frequency unit (RU) support global 5G sub-6ghz and mmwave bands as well as 4G bands.