For the past couple of years now, Qualcomm has been very publicly putting together the final pieces of the puzzle that are 5G cellular. The company announced their discrete 5G NR modem – the Snapdragon X50 – all the way back in 2016. Meanwhile in 2017 they demonstrated their reference phone design, which integrated the in-development X50 with a prototype millimeter wave (mmWave) antenna, allowing Qualcomm and its OEM customers to begin field testing the technology in a handheld form factor. Now in 2018 as the launch of 5G NR networks close in, the company is announcing the final version of their mmWave antenna module, the QTM052.
Although the antenna isn’t getting an especially memorable name, it’s one of the key components of the 5G hardware ecosystem Qualcomm is building, and one they’re understandably proud of. mmWave is a critical component of the 5G specification, as it’s going to be these high (and relatively unused) frequencies that are going to give 5G enough spectrum to hit its multi-gigabit target speeds. And while the more traditional the sub-6GHz spectrum of 5G will see some improvements as well, it’s a much smaller gain tempered by limited spectrum and decreasing spectral efficiency gains.
The QTM052 is a complete antenna module, integrating the necessary mmWave radio transceiver, RF front end, power management IC, and the phased antenna array necessary to send and receive signals. The module is exclusively for mmWave frequencies – so everything over 24GHz – while separate antennas and RF modules will handle sub-6GHz bands. Of those high frequencies, the module supports bands n257 (800Mhz spread through 26.5 to 29.5GHz), band n261 (27.5 to 28.35GHz) and band n260 (37 to 40GHz). And while not explicitly called out by Qualcomm, as our resident mobile guru Andrei Frumusanu has noted, those bands mean that this antenna module is primarily going to be used in the United States, as it doesn’t include band n258 (24.25 to 27.5GHz) which is one of the principle bands for Europe and China.
Unfortunately Qualcomm isn’t disclosing some of the technical details of the module – particularly the number of individual antennas that make up the array size – nor the physical size of the module. As far as the array size goes, we have a suspicion that it’s 8×8, but that remains to be seen. However the module’s physical dimensions are easier to take a stab at. Having thankfully included a penny in their stock photo that we can use as a size comparison, some quick paper napkin math puts the module at roughly 19mm x 7mm, and 2.9mm thick. So while the module is small, it’s not tiny. Which is an important distinction when adding up how many modules will be needed.
Altogether the X50 modem supports up to 4 mmWave modules, and while Qualcomm mentions this number in their press release as well, talking to Qualcomm’s representatives they believe we’re more likely to see just 3 in smartphones. This will be on top of the antennas and supporting equipment necessary for the sub-6GHz bands – and we’re not even counting 4G and WiFi radios – which is why there’s such an emphasis on size.
The use of multiple antenna modules, in turn, is all about getting around the basic limitations of mmWave’s frequency: poor signal propagation. 24GHz+ is part of what the ITU defines as the “extremely high frequency” band, and signals in this band are attenuated and absorbed by essentially everything. The atmosphere, the weather, the phone body, and especially human hands are all blockers here, and even when the signal isn’t blocked, it’s functionally line-of-sight. So having 3 separate antenna modules is necessary to ensure that a phone has a chance of achieving line-of-sight with a base station. Even then, the 5G standard relies on high-precision beam forming & steering in order to send signals in the right direction, which is why the modules internally use such a sizable array of antennas. And while Qualcomm’s press release talks up this point a bit too loftily – saying that it was “previously thought unattainable” – it’s none the less not an easy problem to solve. And even if the technology works, the LOS requirements mean that the market considerations for mmWave are very different from the traditional cell tower paradigm, as many smaller base stations are required for good coverage.
Meanwhile, tangential to today’s antenna module announcement, Qualcomm is also announcing their more conventional RF modules for sub-6GHz 5G, the QPM56xx RF module family. These will be paired with the mmWave module, providing the necessary “baseline” (and building-penetrating) 5G connectivity.
Finally, as these are Qualcomm’s commercial antenna modules, the company is already ramping up their production. OEM customers are being sampled now, with volume shipments set to begin in November/December. Potential network readiness aside, the company thinks that their OEM partners can have mobile broadband adapters on the market before the year is out. Otherwise 5G-enabled smartphones are expected to start hitting the market in the first half of 2019.
On which note, it’s worth reminding everyone that the X50 is a discrete, 5G-only modem. So any of the first-generation phones integrating 5G connectivity with Qualcomm’s solution will require this separate modem on top of whatever they use for 4G connectivity, meaning there will be power and size trade-offs made that we haven’t seen since the first generation of LTE phones.
Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng paid a fee of £12 million to bring Italian marksman Graziano Pelle to the Super League from Southampton in 2016. His £300,000-per-week wages placed him fifth on the list of highest earners in soccer back then.
According to Marca, the Italian currently earns £15 million every year.
The mammoth salary was more of a fortune than an improvement, considering his £80,000 per week wages at Southampton. Pelle joined the likes of Hulk, Nicolas Anelka and Oscar at China, proving how the Asian country had ousted the likes of Russia and the Middle East as the premium destination for players in search of big paychecks.
9 Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Paul Pogba has hit top form this season
Manchester United emptied a considerable number of coffers in the summer of 2016 when they forked out £89 million to bring Paul Pogba back to England from Juventus. The gigantic sum made the Frenchman the most expensive footballer back then.
Paul Pogba bags the highest salary at the moment of £15.4 million per year in the Premier League as per Marca's figures.
His first season after returning didn't pan out as good as he might have expected, after receiving stick for his below-par performances. However, the 24-year-old has silenced his critics this season with awesome performances for United this season.
The importance of his presence cannot be undermined, considering how the Red Devilsunderperformed in his absence. Since his return, Manchester United seem to be back to their former best and are gunning for glory once more.
French sensation Kylian Mbappe is a newbie who made this list following his loan move from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain last summer. He currently earns £15.9 million per year, under his new contract with Les Parisiens.
Mbappe grabbed the Golden Boy award in 2017, beating countryman Ousmane Dembele and Marcus Rashford to the title. At the Parc Des Princes, he has successfully replicated his form with 15 goals and 11 assists in 27 games to date.
The prodigal Frenchman man is an indispensable part of a devastating trio alongside Neymar and Edinson Cavani. With him churning out dazzling performances week in week out for the club, PSG certainly won't hesitate in triggering his £166 million buy-out clause next summer.
#7 Hulk (Shanghai SIPG)
Hulk has been a constant presence amongst the world's highest paid footballers
Brazilian striker Hulk has been a constant presence amongst the world's highest earners in soccer. He joined Chinese outfit Shanghai SIPG for a £45 million fee in 2016. His transfer from Zenit St. Petersburg was the highest Asian transfer back then, broken by the arrival of his international teammate Oscar to China.
The 31-year-old currently merits an annual income of £17.6 million according to the Spanish tabloid Marca.
Hulk has taken the Chinese Super League by storm, netting 34 times in 52 games for the club in all competitions.
In 2017, the Brazilian forward expressed his dream to play in the Premier League, citing the competition in England as the major factor triggering his desire. However, it remains to be seen whether any of the Premier League heavyweights can succeed in bringing him back to Europe.
Cristiano Ronaldo has demanded wages to equal arch-rival Lionel Messi
A complete shocker! Cristiano Ronaldo being one of the two dictators of the generation alongside Leo Messi has failed to breach even the top 5 of this list according to the figures displayed by Marca.
The Portuguese giant is currently serving his contract that is set to expire in 2021. As of now, he earns £18.5 million per year, according to the tabloid.
Ronaldo is currently undergoing the worst patch of his career, having scored only six league goals after returning from the five-match ban in September last year.
He has reportedly demanded the Madrid hierarchy to offer him a salary that equals Lionel Messi's figures at the Nou Camp. However, it remains to be seen whether Florentino Perez gives in to his talisman's demands despite his lacklustre performances for the club.
#5 Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei China)
Ezequiel Lavezzi moved to Hebei China from PSG in 2016
Ezequiel Lavezzi was another high-profile star who made a switch to the Chinese Super League back in 2016. Signed for £23.5 million by Hebei China, the Argentinian currently earns £20.3 million per year, as per Marca's figures.
There were rumours about his salary being close to about £700,000, but the club later confirmed the figures he would earn in his two-year deal.
In his first season with the club, Lavezzi failed to justify his price tag, appearing just 10 times and scoring no goal. However, in his second season, he has redeemed himself with 20 goals in 27 games
#4 Oscar (Shanghai SIPG)
Oscar's move to Shanghai SIPG is the record Asian transfer of all time
Oscar caused an outrage when he chose to join Chinese outfit Shanghai SIPG in a £60 million deal in 2016 from Chelsea. His move to the Chinese club is the most expensive Asian transfer of all time.
Also, he was the most expensive player signed in January; a record that was surpassed by Phillipe Coutinho following his move to Barcelona this month.
He was criticized for choosing a lower league at the prime age of 24 when he could have easily played for Europe's elite clubs after leaving Chelsea. At present, he earns £21.1 million annually according to Marca and is the fourth footballer on this list who plays for a Chinese club.
#3 Alexis Sanchez (Manchester United)
Alexis Sanchez will wear the number 7 shirt at Old Trafford
Alexis Sanchez's swap deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way has been the steal of the season. Apart from the rise in his popularity worldwide as a Man United no.7, the 30-year old is set to become the Premier League's highest earner with £450,000 per week wages. He will bag a sum of £23.4 million once he completes his move to Old Trafford, according to Marca.
Alexis Sanchez was an integral part of Arsenal's FA Cup-winning campaigns in 2015 and 2017. In season 2016-17, the Chilean was at his imperious best, netting 30 times in 51 games for the Gunners.
Sanchez is expected to replicate his stunning form for Arsenal at Old Trafford. It remains to be seen whether he can justify the gigantic wages he will be earning at Manchester United.
#2 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Neymar is the most expensive player of all time
Paris Saint-Germain broke the world transfer record when they snatched Neymar from Barcelona's clutches for £198 million last summer. Considering the avalanche fee they paid for him, it is but natural to see him amongst the top three highest earners in the game right now.
According to his latest contract, Neymar will earn £31.7 million annually at the Parc Des Princes.
Following his move to the French champions, Neymar has shrugged off the pressure of his world record move and is running riot in France at present. He has 24 goals and 14 assists in just 23 appearances, justifying each and every penny PSG forked out to land him.
Should his dazzling performances continue, why, the Selecao skipper might as well break the Ronaldo-Messi duopoly at the Ballon d'Or ceremony this year.
#1 Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Lionel Messi is the highest paid player in the world
Lionel Messi became the ultimate earner in the game following Carlos Tevez's move back to Boca Juniors this January. Every Barca fan might have breathed a sigh of relief when the Argentinan signed a contract extension at the end of last year. Under his new contract, until 2021, the Argentine merits an annual sum of £40.5 million, according to Marca.
There's no doubt Leo Messi performs equally well in every game and deserves the money he earns at the club, but the 30-year old has also been ranked as the most overpaid footballer in the world at present.
A research done by IJCSS( International Journal of Computer Science in Sports) has claimed that Messi deserves exactly the half of what he currently earns at the Nou Camp.
Right now, the Argentinian skipper is on course of winning the league title with Barcelona and will also be an integral part of the club's bid to win another UEFA Champions League title this year.
Graziano Pelle joined Shandong Luneng in 2016
