Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated introduced the new Qualcomm® Automotive Wi-Fi 6 chip, the QCA6696, bringing the next generation of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® connectivity to the automotive industry.
Complementing the Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM Automotive 4G and 5G Platforms, the QCA6696 is Qualcomm Technologies’ most advanced Wi-Fi solution designed to offer fast, secure and efficient Wi-Fi connectivity, to meet consumer demands for greater robustness and reduced latency when operating in congested and dense environments. The QCA6696 features dual Wi-Fi 6 multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) access points designed to support Gigabit in-car hotspot and to deliver efficient Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the vehicle, supporting ultra-high definition (ultra-HD) video streaming on multiple displays, screen mirroring from compatible devices and wireless back-up cameras, as well as Bluetooth 5.1 support and Qualcomm® aptXTM Adaptive audio to deliver high fidelity voice and streaming audio support. The QCA6696 chip also features full MIMO client capability designed to extend range at high data rates for connecting to external access points for automotive services, such as vehicle diagnostics, software updates and automatic check-ins when pulling up to dealerships.
“Qualcomm Technologies has a track-record of excellence in Wi-Fi, bringing our expertise to deliver solutions like the QCA6696 to support improved connectivity and enhanced in-vehicle experiences,” said Nakul Duggal, senior vice president of product management, Qualcomm Technologies. “As vehicle connectivity continues to advance from 4G to 5G, Wi-Fi 6 is an integral part of the connectivity evolution, as it enables seamless connections, across multiple devices, and in congested environments. The QCA6696 builds on our leadership in the automotive industry, proving yet again how we are in an unparalleled position to meet the demands of the industry.”
Key QCA6696 features include:
1.8 Gbps, featuring Dual-Band Simultaneous (DBS) and Higher Order Modulation (1024
QAM) in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands
3-Personal, WPA3-Enterprise, WPA3-Enhanced Open, WPA3-Easy Connect
Qualcomm® Bluetooth 5.1:
The QCA6696 is now sampling and is expected to appear in commercial vehicles in 2021. It is also included as a part of Qualcomm Technologies’ 2nd generation Qualcomm® Connected Car Reference Design (CCRD), which also features the Snapdragon Automotive 4G or 5G Platform with integrated RF Front-End (RFFE) solutions, C-V2X and HP-GNSS support, as well as a Qualcomm Technologies application processor and Qualcomm® Vision Enhanced Precise Positioning (VEPP). As a comprehensive telematics/V2X reference design, automakers and Tier-1 suppliers can develop on the 2nd generation CCRD for rapid prototyping for accelerating their time to commercialization.