Qualcomm Technologies and ZTE have completed multiple 5G-Advanced (5G-A) chip and system interoperability tests organized by the IMT-2020 (5G) Promotion Group, IT Home reported on November 10, 2026, citing the group’s WeChat account. The tests covered high-power user equipment (HPUE), F/A supplemental uplink (SUL), Layer 1-based fast waveform switching, and on-device AI/ML.
HPUE on FDD bands
According to the official disclosure, FDD HPUE testing used a mobile test terminal based on the Qualcomm X105 5G modem and RF system. Tests on n1 (2.1 GHz) and n28 (700 MHz) were completed at power class PC2 (26 dBm).
PC2 raises the terminal’s maximum transmit power. At mid-cell and near-cell points it can be combined with uplink MIMO to further increase user rates; at the cell edge it can extend uplink coverage on FDD bands. The account notes that single-PA FDD HPUE is one important way to improve uplink coverage for NR non-terrestrial networks (NTN).
HPUE on TDD bands
The same Qualcomm X105-based mobile test terminal completed TDD HPUE tests on n41 (2.6 GHz) and n78 (3.5 GHz) at power class PC1.5 (29 dBm). The higher transmit power was reported to improve cell-edge uplink experience on TDD mid- and high-frequency bands. Completing PC1.5 verification on both n41 and n78 gives operators more terminal power-class options for improving uplink coverage on TDD spectrum.
TDD supplemental uplink
TDD SUL is described as another key uplink enhancement after FDD SUL. In these tests, the Qualcomm X105-based terminal completed SUL testing 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. A terminal can stay connected to the primary carrier while sending data on a supplemental uplink carrier, improving uplink rate and stability. The account says this offers operators a way to use gradually released legacy spectrum more flexibly and to strengthen 5G-A uplink. It can also ease limits on uplink resources and support more stable connections for high-uplink-bandwidth uses such as video uploads 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, fast switching indicated by downlink control information (DCI) can help uplink performance. Where coverage is limited, the link can switch to the lower peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) DFT-s-OFDM waveform to improve transmit-power efficiency and uplink coverage. Where the connection is better, it can switch to CP-OFDM to raise the uplink rate.
On-device AI/ML beam management
In on-device AI/ML-assisted beam management tests, the terminal used measurements from a small number of downlink wide-beam reference signals to predict the reference signal received power (RSRP) of many narrow beams that were not actually measured. The stated purpose is to cut reference-signal transmission overhead and the terminal’s measurement load, and to provide a technical basis for later 6G systems.
In this round, Qualcomm Technologies’ mobile test terminal, inside a ZTE base-station cell on n258 (25.5 GHz), completed on-device AI/ML beam-prediction tests using 12 wide beams as prediction inputs and 24 narrow beams as prediction outputs. Results reported from the test showed that, while downlink data transmission performance was maintained, reference-signal overhead related to narrow-beam measurement and the measurement load on the terminal were significantly reduced. The account said this improved end-to-end beam-management efficiency and showed the potential of on-device AI/ML for more intelligent and greener 5G-A and 6G wireless communications.
About the IMT-2020 (5G) Promotion Group
IT Home notes that the IMT-2020 (5G) Promotion Group was established in February 2013, jointly promoted by 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 5G research and international exchange and cooperation.
Original article: IT Home