Despite all the advances in wireless technology, it sometimes feels like we’re stuck in the Stone Age of connectivity. However, with the advancement of mobile, 5G and WiFi technologies, this is starting to change. At Mobile World Congress, Qualcomm launched the FastConnect 7900 mobile connectivity system, an exciting update to its 7800 system launched two years ago. While there are many similarities between the two solutions, there are also some key differences that can go a long way toward enabling a more seamless wireless experience in your daily life.
At the time, Qualcomm’s 7800 system debuted as the first and fastest commercial Wi-Fi 7 solution, delivering speeds of up to 5.8Gbps, using 320MHz channels in the 6GHz spectrum and 240MHz channels in the 5GHz spectrum. It also combines Bluetooth 5.3, Snapdragon Sound, LE Audio, and ANT+ into a single 14nm chip. If you haven’t already, read our article to learn everything the 7800 brings to the table.
Qualcomm’s latest generation FastConnect 7900 system offers all the same features while building on them in significant ways, including the inevitable infusion of AI-optimized performance – it’s the first Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth to take advantage of AI (this time 5.4). The most significant upgrade, however, is the addition of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology.
The addition of UWB drives the chipset’s comprehensive proximity-aware capabilities. If you’re not familiar, UWB is a fast, short-range wireless protocol that operates over high-frequency radio waves. You’re probably using it already – Apple’s AirTags use UWB to determine precise location.
UWB is a major upgrade over previous generation solutions, but it’s worth noting that Qualcomm is using a more advanced 6nm manufacturing process to optimize efficiency. In addition to the new RF front-end module (FEM) products, Qualcomm claims to save up to 50% in power consumption and reduce physical size by 50%, which means longer battery life and potentially slimmer devices.
“FastConnect 7900 is a technological feat that uses artificial intelligence to raise the bar and deliver leading Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth capabilities while integrating ultra-wideband all on a single 6nm chip,” said Javier del Prado, vice president and general manager of Mobile Connectivity. .” Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “FastConnect 7900 builds on the first-generation Wi-Fi 7 products used in millions of devices today to create a new way to connect. The system brings cross-artificial intelligence , proximity and multi-domain next-generation capabilities. – Bringing on-device experiences to our favorite devices.”
This is certainly a promising update, and should help UWB become a more ubiquitous technology in mainstream devices (UWB has been around for a long time, but mostly in a few consumer electronics segments, like Apple’s AirTags and Samsung’s Buds Pro 2 headphones).