Sunday, November 19, 2023

MediaTek debuts RedCap modem chipset

MediaTek has unveiled its T300 series, the world's first 6nm Radio Frequency System-On-Chip (RFSOC) designed specifically for RedCap applications. 

The RedCap (reduced capability) specifications, part of the 3GPP Release 17,  are aimed at devices that do not need the full capabilities of standard 5G NR. These devices have reduced complexity, making them more cost-effective and energy-efficient.

The MediaTek T300 series is notable for its use of the highly efficient 6nm process technology from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This leading-edge fabrication process enables the T300 series to deliver enhanced performance and efficiency, making it a pioneering solution in the RedCap domain.

At the heart of the MediaTek T300 series is a single-core Arm Cortex-A35 processor. This integration results in a more compact Printed Circuit Board (PCB) area, which is a critical factor for manufacturers looking to create sleek, innovative designs for a variety of applications.

The chipset supports up to 227 Mbps downlink and 122 Mbps uplink data rates, ensuring robust and reliable connectivity for RedCap devices. This capability is particularly important in a market segment where efficient and stable data transmission is vital for the success of IoT devices and other connected technologies.

"Our RedCap solutions are a significant part of our mission to democratize 5G, providing our customers the ability to optimize components and deliver 5G-enabled devices from a range of applications and a range of price points," said JC Hsu, Corporate Senior Vice President at MediaTek. "The migration to 5G RedCap will replace legacy 4G/LTE solutions, offering significantly better power efficiency and more reliable user experiences compared to leading edge 5G eMMB modem solutions and legacy 4G LTE Cat 4 and Cat 6 devices."