Ericsson, Qualcomm and Telia test ways to reduce battery consumption with 5G

Three major technology companies, Ericsson, Qualcomm and Telia, have joined forces to test a mechanism capable of improving the experience of users and companies with 5G and the battery usage of devices. The project's proposal is to reduce latency rate (that is, the time it takes for the user's action to reach the server, on the internet) of the devices and the battery consumption while connected to the 5G data network.

The idea is complex, but it can be summarized simply. Imagine that you are using your cell phone connected to the 5G network to check your social networks. After seeing the latest updates, you put the cell phone aside to get back to work. In this transition from the active mode of the cell phone to the sleep mode, it remains connected, but requires a lower signal rate from the carrier.

In precise terms, the three companies have jointly developed an inactive state for the Radio Resource Control Protocol (RRC inactive). This protocol is used by operators when broadcasting the radio signal of the 5G network. The protocol's idle state is designed to reduce the amount of signal picked up by a device during the transition from active to sleep mode.

To develop the mechanism capable of improving performance and battery consumption when using 5G, Ericsson software was used in conjunction with a device carrying the Snapdragon X60 5G Modem-RF System, a 5nm modem from Qualcomm. In addition, standalone antennas were used for the 5G connection.

The result of this project? A reduction of up to three times in the latency rate in the connection and 30% in the battery consumption of devices. This represents a great advance, both for the end user who will be able to have a better experience using the cloud or gaming, for example, as well as for IoT devices used in the industry.

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