Samsung presents LTE modem with 6CA for buffer-less video calls

Samsung Semiconductor teamSamsung Electronics has developed LTE modem technology for its mobile processors that supports 6CA (carrier aggregation) and achieved a maximum downlink speed of 1.2 gigabits per second (Gbps).

The Korea-based semiconductor giant will start mass production of mobile processor adopting the new Cat.18 6CA-supported LTE modem technology by the end of this year.

Earlier this year, the Samsung Exynos 9 Series (8895) chipset presented its Cat.16 LTE modem with 1 gigabit (Gb) downlink speed and the industry’s first 5CA support. Samsung’s Cat.18 6CA-supported LTE modem technology achieves up to 1.2 Gbps downlink speed. Test and measurement company Anritsu is the technology partner for Samsung.

Samsung said the 20-percent improvement in maximum downlink speed can allow mobile device users to download a movie in HD resolution within 10 seconds. Users will also be able to enjoy buffer-less video calls and mobile live-broadcasting.

By increasing the aggregation capability from the previous model’s five bandwidths to six, the LTE modem technology will offer faster and stable data transfers. The technology supports 4×4 MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) and higher-order 256 QAM (Quadrature amplitude modulation) scheme to maximize the data transfer rate.

By utilizing enhanced Licensed-Assisted Access (eLAA) that can aggregate licensed and unlicensed spectra, the technology allows telecommunications operators to make fuller use of their equipment.

“1.2Gbps maximum downlink speed with 6CA support highlights Samsung’s design capabilities and well-positions Samsung for the upcoming 5G era,” said Woonhaing Hur, vice president of System LSI Protocol Development at Samsung Electronics.

Qualcomm and Intel are the leading technology vendors in the 5G chip space.

The image is for illustrative purpose.