Samsung and MediaTek completed a joint test to improve 5G uplink performance, achieving a throughput of 670 Mb/s. The demonstration marked the first successful trial of a three-transmit antenna (3Tx) five-layer uplink configuration. Consequently, this setup establishes a new benchmark for upload speeds on mobile networks.
The companies conducted the trial using a multi-band setup. Specifically, they combined the n66 frequency band at 1.7GHz as the primary cell with dual n77 carriers at 3.7GHz. Meanwhile, this integration allowed the system to maximize spectral efficiency across different frequencies.
The Joint Technical Demonstration
The test combined MediaTek’s M90 5G modem platform with Samsung’s virtualised RAN (vRAN). In addition, the setup utilized Samsung’s Massive-MIMO radios and Macro radios. This combination allowed the companies to manage parallel data streams with reduced interference during the trial.
Advancing 5G uplink performance
The trial represents an extension of earlier three-transmit antenna work. By using five uplink layers, the companies pushed peak upload speeds beyond previously demonstrated benchmarks. Therefore, this configuration directly addresses the growing demand for high-resolution cloud applications on smart devices.
“The validation marks a significant step for our 5G platform as demand for high-resolution cloud applications continues to grow.”
HC Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication Systems and Partnerships at MediaTek
Hardware and Network Architecture
Samsung’s virtualised architecture served multiple users simultaneously during the test. Notably, the Massive-MIMO radios handled advanced antenna processing to maintain connection stability. As a result, the companies demonstrated speeds capable of improving user experience across various applications.
“The results demonstrate speeds capable of meaningfully improving user experience across both consumer and enterprise applications.”
Dongwoo Lee, Head of Technology Solution Group at Samsung Networks
Future Commercial Outlook
The successful test highlights the ongoing collaboration between Samsung and MediaTek. However, the companies did not announce a specific timeline for the commercial deployment of this technology. Industry observers expect further testing before these capabilities reach consumer devices.
In conclusion, the joint demonstration shows how hardware integration can optimize 5G uplink performance. The companies will continue to develop their respective modem and network technologies. Meanwhile, the industry awaits news on when these upload speeds will become widely available.
