Samsung Exynos Processer Advances in Mobile SoC Technologies With 5G VoNR Solution!

Exynos: Exynos, previously Hummingbird, is a line of ARM-based system-on-chips created by Samsung’s System LSI group and produced by Samsung Foundry. It’s a follow-up to Samsung’s previous S3C, S5L, and S5P SoCs.

With the exception of a few high-end SoCs that used Samsung‘s proprietary “M” series core design, Exynos is largely based on ARM Cortex cores; however, starting in 2021, even the flagship high-end SoCs will use ARM Cortex cores.

Samsung’s Exynos 1280 CPU

There are cellphones on the market featuring Samsung’s Exynos 1280 CPU, but the company has never detailed its characteristics. However, it has now revealed various details of the chipset, including its architecture, specific ARM cores, and their speeds.

Samsung didn’t bother to launch the Exynos 1280 alongside the first few devices that used it for some reason. Indeed, the OEM has only now openly unveiled it as new 5G silicon, ostensibly aimed for mid-range handsets. Some of its specifications have already been speculated about, despite the fact that they have only recently been confirmed.

To that aim, the Exynos 1280 is now a 5 nanometer (or 5nm) CPU, with two ARM Cortex-A78 cores running at 2.4GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores running at a maximum of 2GHz out of the box. The new Samsung SoC, they’re accompanied by a Mali-G68 GPU.

1280 also features a neural processing unit (NPU) for AI. Samsung does not give this unit a name or a generation, but it is reportedly capable of 4.3 TOPS and is thus rated to handle tasks like object recognition and tracking, but the OEM suggests it is primarily designed to manage cameras in phones like the Galaxy A53.

On that topic, 1280 could accommodate cameras with a resolution of up to 108MP, but not multiple rear shooters. It can also record 4K at 30 frames per second and drive 120Hz monitors with FHD+ or lesser resolutions. A Wi-Fi 5/Bluetooth 5.2/GNSS/FM radio Rx-capable device with up to LPDDR4x RAM and UFS2.2 can also use the processor.

Finally, the Exynos 1280 includes a 5G modem that can deliver download speeds of up to 2.55 gigabits per second (Gb/s) and upload speeds of up to 1.28 Gb/s via sub-6GHz and mmWave utilizing any number of SIM cards.

Because 5G is a big selling factor for both phone makers and carriers, it’s no surprise that the Exynos 1280 supports it. Although some phones with the chipset aren’t built for mmWave, the built-in modem can connect to both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G. “In sub-6GHz, the processor provides downlink and uplink rates of up to 2.55Gbps and 1.28Gbps, respectively,” Samsung said on its website.

Exynos chipsets are rarely seen outside of Samsung’s own mobile portfolio, so don’t expect to see the new processor on upcoming phones from Motorola or Xiaomi, but it will almost certainly emerge in more Samsung phones in the months ahead (or perhaps years).

Samsung Exynos Processor Guide

Samsung is one of the few smartphone manufacturers who can design and manufacture their own processors, with Apple and Huawei being the only two prominent players. This allows the corporation to build chips that are tailored to its exact specifications while still saving a few pennies.

Samsung Exynos processors can be found in a wide range of devices, from cutting-edge 5G flagships to low-cost smartphones. As a result, we’ve put together a guide to various SoCs.

Samsung has long offered two versions of its high-end Galaxy phones, the main difference being the chipset. A Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset will be available in Galaxy flagships in the United States, China, and a few other territories. Meanwhile, versions using the in-house Exynos CPU are common in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Korea.

Samsung 5G VoNR Service

Samsung Electronics has announced the release of their full VoNR (Voice over New Radio) solution for 5G voice call service, which is available to mobile device manufacturers and network providers all over the world. Samsung delivers a more streamlined SoC development and 5G VoNR service deployment with the entire solution for VoNR.

VoNR technology uses the 5G network to provide both voice and data services, whereas the present 5G network method switches to the 4G network when making phone calls. Without the need to transfer networks, VoNR offers a better possibility of keeping a voice conversation connected as well as speedier call connection times. Users can also enjoy true 5G speeds when on the phone while playing high-performance games or watching high-quality videos.

An IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Quality of Service (QoS), and handover are all part of Samsung’s VoNR solution.

IMS is a major VoNR technology that allows all multimedia services – such as audio, video, and substantial data services – to be delivered via a single IP (internet protocol) network. Samsung’s 5G NR (New Radio) communication protocol stack for IMS used in 4G voice calls (VoLTE) is also designed to work with VoNR services. The protocol stack is a collection of software layers that implement the communication protocols that allow various devices to exchange data.

Quality of Service (QoS)

Samsung has also created the Quality of Service (QoS) that ensures consistent 5G VoNR support, as well as the technology that ensures a seamless transition between nearby network base stations. In real-time, QoS examines the flow of data via the network and decides the priority of services. Furthermore, Samsung’s protocol stack prioritizes voice calls at all times and in all places, thereby improving VoNR quality.

“As the number of 5G smartphone users grows, so does the demand for diverse 5G technologies and services,” said Jonghan Kim, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ System LSI Business. “We’ll keep delivering next-generation mobile communication technologies, like VoNR service support, that will bring users closer together faster.”

Samsung’s 5G adventure began in 2018, with the release of the Exynos Modem 5100, the industry’s first multi-mode processor that is completely compliant with the 5G communications standard (5G NR Release-15). The Exynos 2100, Samsung’s first premium mobile SoC with an integrated 5G modem, was released in January of this year, continuing the momentum.

Samsung is currently providing its 5G VoNR-integrated solution to global mobile device manufacturers while conducting focused localization and automation tests for VoNR deployment with global network companies. Samsung was a part of the industry’s first commercial VoNR deployment in Singapore in July and is building on that momentum.