5G Chipset Modem : Features & Top manufacturer companies

A 5G chipset modem is a semiconductor component that enables devices to connect to 5G wireless networks by processing high speed data transmission and reception. It supports technologies such as sub-6 GHz and mmWave connectivity, carrier aggregation, low latency communication, power efficient operation and advanced network management for smartphones, IoT devices, automotive systems, and industrial applications.

The 5G era has brought about a connectivity revolution, with chipsets and modems playing a crucial role in this technological advancement. The popular manufacturers in the 5G NR (New Radio) chip market include Huawei, MediaTek, Qualcomm, Samsung, UNISOC/Ziguang Zhanrui, Hi-Silicon and U-Blox.

Understanding 5G NR

5G NR, the fifth generation of wireless technology, is based on the 3GPP standard release 15 and later. It’s the successor to LTE, LTE-Advanced, and LTE-Advanced Pro technologies. Defined by the 3GPP TS 38.300 specification, 5G NR is used in cellular and IoT applications.

• 5G: Refers to the fifth generation of wireless technology.
• NR: Stands for New Radio.

5G NR operates on a variety of frequency bands, including sub-1 GHz, below 6 GHz, and above 6 GHz. The system is designed to provide very high data rates (approximately 1 Gbps to 20 Gbps) with low latency (around 5 milliseconds).

Key 5G NR Components and Manufacturers

Here’s a breakdown of the manufacturers behind different 5G NR components:

• 5G RF SoC (System on Chip): Xilinx, Qualcomm, Huawei
• 5G RF Transceiver: Analog Devices, Anokiwave, Intel, MaxLinear, Samsung
• 5G NR Modem Chipsets:
  • Exynos Modem 5100 (Samsung)
  • X50 Snapdragon (Qualcomm)
  • Helio M70 (MediaTek)
  • Balong 5G01 (Huawei)
  • XMM Series (Intel)
• 5G NR RF Filter: QorVo, Qualcomm/TDK-EPCOS, Murata, Skyworks, Taiyo Yuden, Broadcom (Avago), Akoustis Technologies
• 5G Diplexer: L-com, QorVo, AVX Corporation, Murata, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
• 5G Active Antenna Array: Dielectric Resonator, RantCell UK, Ericsson

Top 5G Chipset modem Manufacturers

The following table outlines some of the top 5G chipset manufacturers, along with their part numbers and key technical features:

5G Chipset Manufacturers	Description with Part Numbers
Huawei	• Kirin 980 (mobile AI chipset) • Balong 5000 (5G multi-mode chipset supporting 2G, 3G, and 4G) • Kirin 990 (64-bit high-performance mobile ARM 5G SoC) • Kirin 1020 (superior to Kirin 990, uses ARM Cortex A78 architecture and integrates a 5G baseband)
MediaTek	• Dimensity 1000 (5G integrated SoC) with ARM Cortex processors (A77 and A55), Octa-core, 64-bit. Supports 2G/3G/4G/5G cellular technologies. • Dimensity 800
Qualcomm	• Snapdragon 765/855/865 (5G modem chipsets) • X50/X55 (5G modem RF system)
Samsung	• Exynos (mobile processor for AI and 5G) • Exynos 5100 • Exynos 980
UNISOC/Ziguang Zhanrui	• IVY510 (5G modem) • Tiger T7520 5G processor
Hi-Silicon	• Balong 5G01 (supports throughput up to 2.3 Gbps) • Balong 5000 (supports 4.6 Gbps at sub-GHz and 6.5 Gbps at mmWave) • Kirin 990 (supports 2.3 Gbps/1.5 Gbps)
U-Blox	• UBX-R5 IoT Chipset (supports 5G through OTA updates)

Conclusion

5G chipset modems power next generation wireless connectivity by delivering faster data speeds, improved network efficiency and reliable communication, with leading manufacturers developing advanced solutions for mobile, automotive, industrial and connected device markets.