IT Home reported on November 10, 2026, citing the WeChat account of the 5G Promotion Group, that Qualcomm Technologies and ZTE recently completed multiple 5G-A chip and system interoperability tests organized by the IMT-2020 (5G) Promotion Group. The work covered verification of HPUE (high-power user equipment), F/A SUL (supplementary uplink), Layer 1-based fast waveform switching, and device-side AI/ML.
HPUE on FDD bands
According to the official disclosure, HPUE FDD tests used a mobile test terminal based on the Qualcomm X105 5G modem and RF system. Testing was completed on n1 (2.1 GHz) and n28 (700 MHz) at power class PC2 (26 dBm). Raising maximum transmit power under PC2 can, at mid- and near-cell points, be combined with uplink MIMO to further raise user rates, and at the cell edge can extend FDD uplink coverage. The report notes that single-PA FDD HPUE is one important means of improving NR NTN uplink coverage.
HPUE on TDD bands
The same Qualcomm X105-based mobile test terminal completed HPUE tests on n41 (2.6 GHz) and n78 (3.5 GHz) at PC1.5 (29 dBm). Higher transmit power improved cell-edge uplink experience on these mid- and high-frequency TDD bands. Completion of dual-band PC1.5 verification is described as giving operators more terminal power-class choices for improving TDD uplink coverage.
TDD supplementary uplink
TDD SUL is presented as another key uplink enhancement after FDD SUL. In this round, the Qualcomm X105 mobile test terminal completed SUL tests on the A band (n95, 2010–2025 MHz) and the F band (n98, 1880–1920 MHz). The technique uses lower-frequency spectrum to supplement 5G uplink: while connected to the main carrier, the terminal can send data on a supplementary uplink carrier, improving uplink rate and stability. It is described as a path for operators to use gradually released legacy spectrum to strengthen 5G-A uplink capability, and as a way to ease uplink resource limits for high-uplink services such as video upload and live streaming.
Layer 1 fast waveform switching
Layer 1-based fast waveform switching received further support in 3GPP Release 18, so the network can switch quickly between DFT-s-OFDM and CP-OFDM according to channel conditions. In high-mobility settings such as high-speed rail, DCI-indicated fast switching can help uplink performance. In coverage-limited conditions, a quick switch to the lower-PAPR DFT-s-OFDM waveform can improve transmit power efficiency and uplink coverage. In better radio conditions, a switch to CP-OFDM can raise the uplink rate.
Device-side AI/ML beam management
In device-side AI/ML-assisted beam-management tests, the terminal used reference-signal measurements from a small number of downlink wide beams to predict the RSRP of many narrow beams that were not actually measured. The account says this significantly reduces reference-signal overhead and the terminal’s measurement burden, and provides a technical basis toward future 6G systems.
Qualcomm’s mobile test terminal completed related device-side AI/ML beam-prediction tests inside a ZTE base-station cell on n258 (25.5 GHz), using 12 wide beams as prediction inputs and 24 narrow beams as prediction outputs. Results reported that, while downlink data performance was maintained, reference-signal overhead tied to narrow-beam measurement and the measurement load on the terminal were significantly reduced. The account says this improved end-to-end beam-management efficiency and verified the potential of device-side AI/ML for more intelligent and greener 5G-A/6G wireless communication.
About the organizing group
IT Home notes that the IMT-2020 (5G) Promotion Group was established in February 2013 under the joint impetus of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Its structure is based on the former IMT-Advanced Promotion Group. It is a platform that brings together industry, academia, research, and users in mobile communications to advance fifth-generation technology research and international exchange and cooperation.
Original article: https://www.ithome.com/1/024/827.htm