Quectel Wireless has released the second generation of its 5G new radio (NR) modules that comply with 3GPP release 16 standards.

The series includes the Rx520F and Rx520N sub-6GHz modules as well as the RM530x mm-wave modules.

The modules are based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon X65 and X62 5G modem-RF systems and are designed to satisfy the needs of industries that require enhanced mobile broadband and reliable communication capabilities. The modules should help speed up the commercialisation of 5G technologies and bring the benefits of mobile broadband to typical scenarios including fixed wireless access, industrial IoT, mobile compute, telemedicine and private networks.

The sub-6GHz modules include the RG520F (LGA form factor) and RM520F (M2) based on Snapdragon X65, and the RG520N (LGA) and RM520N (M2) based on X62. The Chinese module supplier will also offer modules that support sub-6GHz and mm-wave dual connectivity, the RM530F and RM530N modules (M2), which allow 5G IoT users to benefit from the large bandwidth of mm-wave and the widespread coverage of sub-6GHz networks.

Quectel’s 5G modules support all three combinations of sub-6GHz time division duplex (TDD) and frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier aggregation (CA – FDD+TDD, FDD+FDD and TDD+TDD. This improves 5G coverage, capacity and throughput by enabling the combination of available 5G spectrum assets.

Compared with prior modules, Quectel says the latest 5G products provide the important foundational enhancements to deliver even better link reliability and ultra-low latency, which is expected to accelerate the commercial deployment of 5G applications such as industrial IoT, factory automation and connected vehicles.

The high-end X65 based modules can support fibre-like peak download speeds up to 10Gbit/s. This speed can address specific 5G eMBB use cases requiring high data rates, such as 4K and 8K ultra high definition (UHD) live steaming.

“I feel very excited to roll out the industry’s most advanced 5G NR modules based on Qualcomm Technologies’ cutting-edge Snapdragon 5G modem-RF Systems,” said Patrick Qian, CEO of Quectel. “They not only offer superior capabilities in data rate, low-latency, reliability and power consumption, but will also expand the reach of 5G into new verticals, scenarios and business models. I believe Quectel’s leading 5G portfolio will benefit many industries and help drive a smarter world with higher levels of automation, production efficiency and services.”

Commercial samples of Quectel’s 5G NR modules are expected to be available around the end of 2021.

“The Snapdragon X65 is our fourth-generation 5G modem-to-antenna, which is designed for 5G launches globally,” said Gang Sun, vice president at Qualcomm. “It features unprecedented powerful performance, technological innovation and leading advantages in network flexibility, capacity and coverage to meet the needs in various 5G segments. We are glad that Quectel will be one of the first companies to launch the module products using this, which brings exciting possibilities to many industries and applications.”