In a video interview, Analog Devices’ Nitin Sharma explains the company’s involvement with open RAN and the concept of a functional split. Open radio access networks are all the talk at the network — as opposed to the wireless — side of 5G. While most of the talk surrounds the disaggregation of network functions, the…
MediaTek introduces 5G SoCs for phones and home networking
The Dimensity 1000C supports 5G phones, handling many functions while the T750 adds 5G and other connectivity to routers and hotspots.
Module adds 5G to networking devices
The EM919x series of wireless modules from Sierra Wireless add 5G to embedded and IoT designs, with fallback to 4G and 3G.
Customizable sensor IC brings wireless to medical devices
EnSilica’s eSi-MediSense lets you add medical sensing and wireless connectivity to a handheld or wearable device, plus machine learning capabilities.
BBox: Beam steering for mmWave testing
The BBox from TMYTEK lets you control a signal’s amplitude and phase under software control. Use it to test antennas, phones, small cells, and measure material properties when subjected to mmWave signals.
Digital modulation basics, part 2: QAM and EVM
In Digital modulation basics, part 1 we examined the concept of quadrature modulation and signal generation. We showed a common block diagram for generating a quadrature signal (Figure 1). There is a corresponding receiver block diagram to extract the Inphase (I) and Quadrature (Q) components of the signal (Figure 2). The signal is converted to…
X60 Modem aggregates mmWave and sub-6 GHz carriers
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X60 5G modem builds on its two 5G predecessors—the X50 and X55—by adding sub-6 GHz and mmWave carrier aggregation, plus other features. According to Qualcomm, the 5 nm process used to fabricate the X60 provides higher power efficiency into a smaller footprint. Additional features include: 5G frequency-division duplex (FDD) and time-division duplex (TDD)…
Samsung Patent Talk Reveals Smartphone Designs on Rollable
Samsung watchers are buzzing around over a discovered patent filing with the World Intellectual Property Office. Topic in hand: a design for some kind of rollable device. Never mind that the Galaxy Fold was postponed; Samsung is not abandoning new ideas for smartphones. Digital Trends and other tech-watching sites got busy reporting that rollable phones have been discussed…
Making the ‘Human-Body Internet’ More Effective
Wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have made remote connectivity easier, and as electronics become smaller and faster, the adoption of “wearables” has increased. From smart watches to implantables, these devices interact with the human body in ways that are very different from those of a computer. However, they both use the same protocols…
Earthquake Tests New Wireless Network in Far-Flung Alaska
The police chief of Alaska’s largest city hurried out of the department’s glass building after the ground began to shake. Phone lines jammed and even police radios were spotty after a major earthquake, but his cellphone was recently equipped with a national wireless network dedicated to first responders. Anchorage Police Chief Justin Doll was able…