Qualcomm
HWM Singapore|December 2022
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: A closer look at connectivity
LIU HONGZUO
Qualcomm

Mobile processors like Qualcomm’s are layered with many components, each with duties of their own to deliver a crucial aspect of mobile phone use. The upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 uses the Snapdragon X70 5G Modem-RF system for mobile networks like 5G compatibility, while the Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 on the chip handles its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.

Qualcomm touted several connectivity features that are new to smartphones in general. You’ve probably wondered about how artificial intelligence even helps with 5G connections, or its Wi-Fi 7 “with High Band Simultaneous Multi-Link”, or what “Dual Bluetooth” really is. You’d also be wondering how they match the claims of 10Gbps 5G speeds and 5.8Gbps Wi-Fi 7 speeds. Here we look at what a tiny little phone processor can really do, and why these things don’t come cheap.

5G

BUT WITH AI?

Qualcomm said that Al-assisted 5G connections work in five specific ways. The processor (and in turn, the phone it sits on) has Al-based channel state feedback and optimisation, which is more dynamic than traditional ways of acquiring downlink transmissions. It also uses Al for mmWave beam management, which means it's Al that decides how 5G mmWave beamforming should happen to grant the most robust connectivity and coverage outcome for your phone.

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