Qualcomm Pushes Further Into Automotive Market At MWC 2019

It’s that point of yr once more—Mobile World Congress 2019 is now underway in Barcelona. I’m in attendance, together with several other individuals of the Moor Insights & Strategy crew (Anshel Sag, Will Townsend, Chris Wilder), and a boatload of different analysts and enterprise folks—all right here to see the state-of-the-art in cell technology, at the premier mobile conference. Today I wanted to provide my coverage on Qualcomm’s automotive connectivity bulletins from the occasion.

Bringing 4G and 5G connectivity to the auto enterprise

The automobile electronics market is massive proper now, and unexpectedly evolving. Between telematics, dashboard, electrification, ADAS, self-fusing, and plenty more, there’s a big possibility for tech companies to locate their very profitable area of interest. Some providers are going for all of it. It makes feel that Qualcomm, a worldwide leader in wi-fi communications, is staking out its turf in the day after today’s cars. Qualcomm has already stated publicly that it has over $five.5B in auto backlog which seems to develop each quarter,

At ultimate month’s CES, the corporation released the 3rd technology of its Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit platform, a multi-tiered supplying geared toward getting Qualcomm’s technology internal all lessons of cars and gave further info on its C-V2X car conversation generation (see my insurance right here). Here at MWC 2019, Qualcomm took things a step further with two new additions to its automobile portfolio: the Qualcomm Snapdragon Automotive 4G and 5G Platforms.

One of the essential functionalities of those structures is the aforementioned C-V2X communications. C-V2X, or the car-to-the whole lot, communication allows the vehicle to speak with other automobiles on the road, roadside infrastructure, and extra, inside the interest of protection. Cameras, LiDAR or radar cannot see around corners, but C-V2X can.

Additionally, the systems provide a high-precision, multi-frequency international navigation satellite tv for pc system, also called HP-GNSS, and RF Front-End (RFFE) abilities, so that it will support fundamental global operators across key spectrum bands. High-precision satellite tv for pc structures will help in all tiers of ADAS and self-using implementations. Other capabilities include multi-gigabit cloud connectivity, high bandwidth low latency teleoperations guide, and unique positioning for lane-stage navigation accuracy.

The 5G Platform also features twin SIM dual lively (or DSDA) capability, a primary for the car industry. DSDA is crucial as a few automakers need its own connectivity device for its services and every other SIM for the drivers or a Tier 1s carrier. Introducing each 4G and 5G systems is a clever flow that recognizes the fact that no longer all car producers are working at an identical tempo in terms of 5G adoption. Like its multi-tiered Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Platform, this segmentation will get Qualcomm internal many instructions of motors—now not simply the top rate, first adopters of 5G. This makes it less difficult for a Tier 1 or automaker to head all-in on Qualcomm.

Automotive Wi-Fi 6

Additionally, Qualcomm brought the QC6696, its new Automotive Wi-Fi 6 chip. With dual Wi-Fi 6 MIMO get right of entry to points, this chip will convey the company’s subsequent-gen Wi-Fi connectivity to the automotive industry to permit splendid in-automobile studies. Think the capacity to circulate extremely-HD video or do display screen mirroring from wireless backup cams and compatible devices. The chip additionally includes Bluetooth 5.1 aid and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive audio, for first-rate audio streaming and voice help. Another nifty function is the chip’s potential to increase the variety at excessive records prices so as to connect to external get admission to points, say whilst pulling up to your dealership. Imagine the capacity to mechanically take a look at it, run diagnostics, and carry out software program updates, as quickly as you are inside variety.

Wrapping up

Qualcomm continues to push the envelope and execute on its method for automobile connectivity, as evidenced through its announcements from MWC 2019. The new 4G and 5G platforms and the Automotive Wi-Fi 6 chip look to be incredible, subsequent-gen answers that I anticipate we’ll see inner of plenty of day after today’s automobiles—improving safety, communications, and standard in-automobile enjoy. I like what I see—I agree with the employer has what it takes to be successful here. I’d be remiss if I did not join this declaration to Qualcomm’s common growth story. The automotive backlog is at $5.5B now and this announcement plus future ADAS plans could make that number tiny. We’ll see.