China Mobile Unveils 6G Baseband Prototype System for Sub7GHz Frequency Band – Advanced Capabilities to Pave the Way for Future Wireless Communications Technologies
After pioneering the global rollout of 5G networks with extensive infrastructure investments and technology breakthroughs that enabled the rapid deployment of high-speed, low-latency mobile services, China is now setting its sights on 6G.
China Mobile, in collaboration with the Zhongguancun Pan-Institute of Information and Communications Technology, China Information Technology Mobile and smartphone maker Vivo, has introduced a prototype system with a 6G baseband concept for the Sub7GHz frequency band.
As the world looks forward to an official launch of 6G in the coming years, China Mobile’s latest demonstration highlights the progress made in this area of development. The prototype system is part of China Mobile’s 6G synesthesia, computing and intelligence fusion technology platform and reflects deep integration of sensory, computing and communication technologies.
Powerful baseband capabilities – a step beyond 5G
China Mobile has announced that the 6G baseband concept prototype system for the sub-7 GHz frequency band is a crucial part of its public testing device. This system aims to facilitate the deep integration of intersensory computing and intelligence, as well as the integration of terrestrial and celestial networks.
At the heart of this new system is strong baseband capacity built on a cloud-based heterogeneous hardware architecture, with the system supporting throughput up to 100 Gbps for container networks. This high throughput is combined with an ultra-short transmission time interval (TTI) throughput of 125 microseconds (μs), enabling faster data transfer and improved responsiveness.
The system’s architecture enables a maximum interrupt response delay of less than 10 μs, contributing to its flexibility and reconfigurability. It supports eight data streams and 128 digital channels, and the single-carrier bandwidth reaches 400 MHz, enabling real-time baseband throughput up to 16.5 Gbps.
These features position the system at the forefront of 6G development and meet the stringent requirements for new technologies and service verifications, such as ultra-high-definition video and real-time data processing.
According to China Mobile, the new 6G baseband prototype is open and interoperable.
The system enables smooth integration between cloud-based heterogeneous hardware and terminal prototypes developed by Vivo, allowing efficient connection from the base station to the terminal. This capability supports the transmission of advanced services such as 3D video, a likely hallmark of the 6G era.
The open architecture of this system encourages collaboration and verification of key 6G technologies with industrial partners. Stakeholders can test and verify their 6G technologies in combination with China Mobile’s baseband prototype, creating an ecosystem around 6G development.
In addition to its baseband and openness capabilities, China Mobile’s 6G baseband prototype system shows great expansion potential.
The system is designed to handle a wide range of frequency bands, thanks to the multi-band integrated universal fronthaul module. This module connects to the baseband unit (BBU) via an ultra-fast Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) and supports the transmission of intermediate frequency signals from 0 to 12 GHz.
This flexible architecture allows the system to work with a variety of radio frequency (RF) front ends, including front ends operating at mid and low frequencies, millimeter waves, visible light, and terahertz frequencies. The ability to process multi-band signals not only increases the adaptability of the system, but also facilitates testing and verification of 6G components and baseband processing technologies across different frequency bands.
It is important to note that it takes approximately ten years for a new communications network to be deployed. Therefore, commercial 6G networks are not expected before 2030. Nevertheless, early developments like these serve as a crucial building block in the global race to 6G.
Via MyDrivers