Samsung and Qualcomm reported data from a cellular lab simulation that achieved a 20 percent lift to theoretical downlink through use of frequency and time division bands powered by 1,024 QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation). They claim this is the first time 1,024 QAM has been used for both FDD and FDD/TDD transmissions. 

The test was carried out on 20 MHz bandwidth on the 2.1 GHz (FDD) and 3.5 GHz bands, reaching 485 Mbps speeds downlink. The 20 percent estimate is based on a comparison with 256 QAM radio units widely used in commercial RAN networks at present. Modulating fidelity as high as 4K QAM is increasingly used for Wi-Fi routers in the consumer and enterprise spaces, particularly in Wi-Fi 7 or 6E products.

Samsung said it now plans to begin 1024 QAM testing in traditional RAN networks ahead of a potential commercial release later this year. The lab trial used a test device from Qualcomm Technologies with a mobile phone form factor powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem.

1,024 QAM is included in 3GPP Release 17 with the aim of enhancing standardised radio interfaces and access networks. Samsung suggests its usage in cellular RAN will optimise spectrum availability in bandwidth-intensive use cases like live video streaming and gaming.

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