Keysight Technologies and Qualcomm: Pioneering the Future of 5G with FR3 Data Connection

A Milestone in Wireless Communication: The First-Ever FR3 5G Data Connection

In a groundbreaking achievement that underscores the relentless march of technological innovation, Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) has played a pivotal role in enabling Qualcomm Technologies to establish the industry's first end-to-end interoperability and data connection in the FR3 frequency range. This milestone, achieved through the utilization of Keysight's E7515P UXM 5G Wireless Test Platform and a 5G Qualcomm Technologies mobile test platform, marks a significant leap forward in the evolution of 5G and sets the stage for the next generation of wireless communications.

Key Takeaways:

• Industry First: Keysight and Qualcomm have achieved the first-ever FR3 5G data connection, a critical milestone in wireless communication.
• Technological Innovation: The FR3 frequency range offers wider bandwidths, enabling high-speed transmission of large data volumes.
• Future-Ready: This achievement paves the way for 5G-Advanced and 6G use cases, promising to revolutionize future wireless communications.
• Collaborative Effort: The success was made possible through the collaboration of Keysight's advanced test solutions and Qualcomm's cutting-edge mobile test platform.

The Significance of FR3 in the 5G Landscape

5G networks are designed to operate across three frequency ranges: low-band (FR1), mid-band (FR2), and the newly introduced high-band (FR3). Each frequency range offers unique advantages for 5G services, with FR3 providing wider bandwidths that enable the transmission of large amounts of data at very high speeds. This capability is crucial for supporting the data-intensive applications and services that define the modern digital era.

Why FR3 Matters

The FR3 frequency range, spanning 7.125 GHz to 24.25 GHz, is particularly significant because it bridges the gap between the lower and higher frequency bands. This range is under consideration for future 6G systems and 5G-Advanced use cases, which are expected to drive the next wave of innovation in wireless communication.

"FR3 provides wider bandwidths enabling the transmission of large amounts of data at very high speeds. These unique properties will allow FR3 to support 5G-Advanced and 6G use cases that promise to revolutionize future wireless communications." - EDACafe

The Technical Triumph: Keysight's Role

Keysight Technologies, a global leader in design, emulation, and test solutions, has been at the forefront of this technological breakthrough. The company's E7515P UXM 5G Wireless Test Platform played a crucial role in enabling Qualcomm Technologies to achieve this milestone.

The E7515P UXM 5G Wireless Test Platform

The Keysight UXM 5G wireless test solution is a highly integrated signaling test platform with multiformat stack support, rich processing power, and abundant radio frequency (RF) resources. Supporting 3GPP Release 15 and beyond, the UXM 5G wireless test solution enables engineers to establish a 5G call with a device under test in different 5G New Radio deployment modes.

"The Keysight UXM 5G wireless test solution is a highly integrated signaling test platform with multiformat stack support, rich processing power, and abundant radio frequency (RF) resources." - Morningstar

Collaborative Innovation

The successful FR3 interoperability test encompassed User Equipment calibration and RF Non-signaling verification. This was achieved using Keysight's UXM E7515P and VXT3 M9416A, facilitated by Qualcomm's Development Acceleration Resource Toolkit (QDART). Finally, a full-stack data connection was established to assess the feasibility of utilizing the frequency band for network connections between a 5G base station and a next-generation mobile device.

"Qualcomm Technologies’ successful FR3 interoperability test encompassed User Equipment calibration and RF Non-signaling verification. This was achieved using Keysight UXM E7515P and VXT3 M9416A, facilitated by Qualcomm’s Development Acceleration Resource Toolkit (QDART)." - RCR Wireless News

The Road Ahead: Implications for 5G-Advanced and 6G

This achievement is not just a technical triumph; it has far-reaching implications for the future of wireless communication. The ability to establish a data connection in the FR3 frequency range is a critical step towards realizing the full potential of 5G-Advanced and 6G technologies.

Accelerating Innovation

The successful FR3 data connection will accelerate the design and deployment of next-generation mobile devices. By enabling chipsets and device makers to validate their devices for the new era of technology, Keysight's cutting-edge emulation solutions are expediting the market entry of these devices.

"This industry-first milestone will accelerate the design and deployment of the 5G-Advanced and 6G devices." - Tingfang Ji, Vice President of Engineering at Qualcomm Wireless Research, Qualcomm Technologies

Enhancing Connectivity

The wider bandwidths and high-speed data transmission capabilities of FR3 will support a range of advanced use cases, from ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) to massive machine-type communications (mMTC). These capabilities are essential for applications such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Pioneering the Future

As the global telecom industry seeks more spectrum for 6G systems, there is a growing interest in using the lower portion of FR3 for wide-area coverage. Qualcomm is already working on a prototype "Giga-MIMO" system to support this use of FR3, highlighting the potential for groundbreaking advancements in wireless communication.

"As the global telecom industry seeks more spectrum in which 6G systems could operate, there is a large amount of interest in using the lower portion of FR3 for wide-area coverage, much like midband spectrum in the 3 GHz range is serving as a coverage layer for 5G networks." - RCR Wireless News

Conclusion: A New Era of Wireless Communication

The successful establishment of the first-ever FR3 5G data connection by Keysight Technologies and Qualcomm Technologies marks a significant milestone in the evolution of wireless communication. This achievement not only highlights the innovative capabilities of both companies but also sets the stage for the next generation of mobile devices and applications.

As we look to the future, the advancements in the FR3 frequency range promise to revolutionize the way we connect, communicate, and interact with the world around us. For sophisticated investors and technology enthusiasts alike, this milestone represents a glimpse into the future of wireless communication and the boundless possibilities it holds.