Samsung Announces Exynos 5100 2Gbps 5G-NR Modem For Mobile Devices
Eventually we will all be enjoying faster wireless performance thanks to the advent of 5G. There are pockets around the United States where it is already available, but for the most, it is a waiting game for consumers—5G requires compatible networks and hardware. On the latter side, Samsung today announced the Exynos Modem 5100, the industry's first 5G modem that is fully compatible with 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) Release 15, which is the most up-to-date standard specification for 5G New Radio (5G-NR).
The 3GPP Technical Specifications Group only recently completed the full 5G-NR Release 15 spec this past June. It is an evolving standard, but without taking a deep dive into the underlying technology, the take away is that it will lead to faster wireless connectivity, and should speed up the deployment of 5G.
As for the Exynos Modem 5100 chip, it is built on a power efficient 10-nanometer manufacturing process, and supports legacy radio access technologies, allowing for a single chip solution.
"Samsung’s leadership in communication technologies and market-proven knowledge allowed us to develop the industry’s first 5G modem, the Exynos Modem 5100, which fully complies with the latest 3GPP standards," said Dr. Inyup Kang, president and head of System LSI Business at Samsung Electronics. "As the industry prepares the shift toward 5G, Samsung will continue to drive the growth of innovative ideas and new services in mobile applications and other emerging industries."
On the technical side, the Exynos Modem 5100 supports both sub-6GHz mmWave spectrums specified in 3GPP's 5G standard, and legacy networks, including 2G GSM/CDMA, 3G WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, HSPA, and 4G LTE.
Samsung's new modem delivers maximum download speeds of up to 2 gigabits per second (Gbps) in 5G's sub-6GHz settings, and 6Gbps in mmWave settings. The latter is around five times faster than its predecessor. Samsung says fast and stable communication can also be secured in 4G networks, with download speeds of up to 1.6Gbps.
The new modem will find its way into devices by the end of the year.
