Qualcomm Technologies showcased advancements in on-device AI, computing, and wireless connectivity at MWC 2024.
They introduced the Qualcomm AI Hub, showcased commercial AI-enabled devices, and unveiled the Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System and Qualcomm FastConnect 7900 Mobile Connectivity system.
Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System
The Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System marks Qualcomm’s seventh-generation 5G solution. It promises a Peak Download Speed of 10 Gbps and Peak Upload Speed of 3.5 Gbps.
Key features of the Snapdragon X80 include integration of a dedicated 5G AI Processor, support for NB-NTN satellite communications, 6-antenna architecture for smartphones, and AI-based mmWave range extension.
It also boasts AI innovations for enhanced data speeds, latency, quality of service, coverage, location accuracy, and power efficiency. Operators can benefit from its superior performance and flexibility, with features like 6x carrier aggregation and advanced spectrum utilization.
Availability
Commercial devices with Snapdragon X80 are slated for release in the latter half of 2024, so we can expect it in Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC.
Qualcomm FastConnect 7900
The Qualcomm FastConnect 7900 Mobile Connectivity system integrates Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, and Ultra Wideband (UWB) technologies in one chip.
It uses AI to optimize performance based on different scenarios, improving power consumption, network latency, and throughput.
FastConnect 7900 also includes Ultra Wideband technology for secure device discovery and access.
Key Features of FastConnect 7900
- Supports 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz
- Up to 5.8 Gbps data rate with 4K QAM modulation
- Up to 4.3 Gbps with multiple streams of 5GHz spectrum
- Utilizes High Band Simultaneous technology for enhanced performance
- 40% lower power usage compared to the previous generation
- Bluetooth 5.4, spatial audio, and ANT+ support
- Compatible with Snapdragon Sound and Qualcomm XPAN
- Supports LE Audio and multi-stream audio for true wireless earbuds.
Qualcomm AI Hub
The Qualcomm AI Hub serves as a gateway for developers, offering optimized AI models for Snapdragon and Qualcomm platforms. These models enhance on-device AI performance, memory efficiency, and power usage.
Key Features: Qualcomm AI Hub
- Optimized AI Models: Over 75 AI and generative AI models are available, tailored for various form factors and runtimes.
- Hardware Acceleration: Leveraging all cores within the Qualcomm AI Engine (NPU, CPU, and GPU), resulting in 4X faster inferencing times.
- Seamless Integration: Developers can easily integrate these models into their applications, reducing time-to-market and unlocking benefits like immediacy, reliability, privacy, and cost savings.
Availability
Optimized models can be accessed on the Qualcomm AI Hub, GitHub, and Hugging Face. New models will be continually added, with upcoming support for additional platforms and operating systems.
Developers can sign up to run models on cloud-hosted devices based on Qualcomm Technologies’ platforms, gaining early access to new features and AI models.
AI Research Advancements
At MWC 2024, Qualcomm also showcased their AI Research advancements, Generative AI across device categories, which as follows:
Cutting Edge AI Research Advancements
- Qualcomm AI Research demonstrated the Large Language and Vision Assistant (LLaVA), a multimodal model running on Android smartphones, capable of engaging in multi-turn conversations about images.
- The first showcase of Low Rank Adaptation (LoRA) on Android devices, allowing users to create customized images efficiently.
- A world-first on-device demonstration of a large multimodal model on Windows PC capable of conversing about audio inputs.
Enabling Generative AI Across Device Categories
- Smartphones: Flagship devices like HONOR Magic6 Pro, OPPO X7 Ultra, and Xiaomi 14 Pro showcased exciting generative AI features.
- PCs: Snapdragon X Elite demonstrated rapid image generation in GIMP, showcasing the power of on-device AI.
- Automotive: Snapdragon Digital Chassis Platform exhibited traditional and generative AI capabilities for enhanced driving experiences.
- Consumer IoT: Humane’s AI Pin, running on Snapdragon platform, introduced a new conversational AI experience.
- Connectivity: Snapdragon X80 Modem-RF System and Qualcomm FastConnect 7900 set new standards in 5G and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity respectively, leveraging AI.
- 5G Infrastructure: Showcased AI-based enhancements for network management, promising simplified tasks and improved efficiency.
Qualcomm MWC 2024
Visitors can explore Qualcomm Technologies’ AI innovations and demonstrations at MWC Barcelona (Booth #3E10, Hall 3, Fira Gran Via) from February 26 to 29, 2024.
Speaking at the MWC 2024 event, Cristiano Amon, President, and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated, stated:
The evolution of generative AI embodies a hybrid approach, blending on-device intelligence with cloud capabilities to enhance personalization, privacy, reliability, and efficiency. Connectivity plays a pivotal role in scaling generative AI across cloud, edge, and device, facilitating next-generation connectivity for this era of Generative AI.
As the leading force in intelligent computing, we empower the ecosystem to cultivate and bring to market generative AI applications, experiences, and cutting-edge products spanning smartphones, next-generation PCs, XR devices, vehicles, robotics, and beyond.