The evolution of 5G is expanding mobile connectivity into new verticals and use cases, including lower-complexity IoT sensors and devices for smart cities, factories, and more. At MWC 2023, Qualcomm demonstrated how their 5G Advanced IoT innovations could extend network coverage and deliver more accurate positioning for narrow bandwidth IoT devices.

A major part of Qualcomm’s current research focuses on how 5G can be optimized for IoT services that require expansive wide-area coverage. The first of two tech demos on the topic showed that device mesh networking could extend coverage for low-power IoT devices, even providing a timing source when they have no clear line-of-sight to GPS satellites. This could make 5G network IoT deployments more cost-efficient.

The second tech demo explored how multi-cell downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD) can deliver cost-efficient, low-power, and wide-area positioning for narrowband 5G devices like wearables and IoT sensors. These devices often have less accurate positioning since they can’t take advantage of 5G’s high bandwidth for more precise results. To improve positioning accuracy for narrowband devices, Qualcomm used multi-cell DL-AoD — a device-based positioning technique — to measure differences in signal strength and beam RSRP. With several DL-AoD readings, the precise position of the narrowband device can be determined.

As 5G continues to evolve, Qualcomm will remain at the forefront of innovation by working to make networks more efficient, more accurate, and more capable of handling the demands of digital transformation.

See more Qualcomm demos at MWC 2023:    • MWC2023: Qualcomm showcases future wi...  

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Explore Qualcomm’s 5G research: https://www.qualcomm.com/research/5g

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0:00 Introduction
0:31 5G IoT coverage extension with device mesh
2:30 Wide-area IoT positioning