[MWC 2023] System LSI Unveils Advanced Mobile Technologies to Power Future Devices

The mobile technology industry came together in Barcelona on February 27, 2023, for Mobile World Congress (MWC 2023). Hosted by the GSMA (Groupe Speciale Mobile Association), MWC 2023 brought over 2,000 businesses from the communications and connectivity sectors, which demonstrated their latest products and technologies. After a halt of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MWC was held in 2022 at a smaller scale. In 2023, the industry’s largest and most influential connectivity event was attended by more than 88,000 visitors, bringing attendance back to pre-pandemic levels.

At MWC 2023, System LSI business of Samsung Electronics showcased a total package of next-level mobile experience, demonstrating its commitment to cutting-edge mobile technology with an exhibition centered on four key technologies: content-aware image processing, NTN (non-terrestrial networks), Wi-Fi Aware & LE (low energy) Audio, and Dual VTG (vertical transfer gate). Live demos of various innovative technologies were available for the visitors at Samsung pavilion.

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◻ Content-aware ISP (image signal processing) powered by AI

Content-aware image processing is an innovative computational photography technique accelerated by AI. An advanced NPU technology enables a complicated semantic segmentation with low power and latency, automatically detecting segmented objects and sending the segmented information to hardware ISP. With this solution, the optimal image quality for separate regions can be achieved in terms of texture (sharpen and noise signal) and color qualities. Types of object supported by the solution include trees, grass, sky, face and its features such as eye brows, eyes, mouth and others.

Samsung’s newly launched Exynos 1380 contains both the advanced NPU technology and improved hardware ISP than the predecessor to run real-time semantic segmentation even in video recording. Visitors at Samsung booth were able to experience the solution firsthand with the demonstration of different devices with content-aware image processing off/on mode. Visitors could also take selfies with Semantic Segmentation Map mode, to directly examine how the content-aware image signal processor recognizes an image part by part.

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◻ 5G Satellite Connectivity Facilitator

The innovation of NTN has enabled remarkable communication capabilities. NTN is a communication technology that employs satellites and other non-terrestrial vehicles to connect areas that terrestrial networks were previously unable to reach, such as deserts or the middle of the ocean. Implementing this new technology will help the elimination of communication blind spots, with reliable operability even in disaster areas.

With Exynos Modem 5300 reference platform, Samsung has developed and simulated 5G NTN standard-based satellite technology for highly reliable NTN communication¹ with low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. At Samsung booth, live demonstration of the solution where it previews two-way SMS texting and video streaming over a live 5G NTN connection was conducted together with Keysight Technologies, Inc., for visitors to take a glance at the next generation wireless communication. Samsung plans to integrate the solution into future Exynos Modem solutions to accelerate the commercialization of 5G satellite communications.

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◻ Next-gen Device Connectivity: ‘Wi-Fi Aware’ and ‘LE Audio’

Samsung’s Exynos Connect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chipset, which supports up to 3Gbps data rate with RSDB (Real Simultaneous Dual Band)² , provides two new and innovative connectivity technologies: Wi-Fi Aware and LE Audio. Unlike Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Aware does not require a Group Owner for its peer-to-peer connection system. This makes it ideal for dynamically connecting nearby devices with no need for centralized control, making connectivity fast and easy even in crowded environments. Furthermore, its ability to detect proximate devices helps users find customized local information that suits their needs quickly and easily. All these features make Wi-Fi Aware an invaluable asset for unlocking personalized mobile experiences.

The next generation of Bluetooth Audio ‘LE Audio’ enables audio streaming over Bluetooth Low Energy. Compared to Classic (Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate) Audio, it considerably lowers power consumption and opens up new use cases. Bluetooth LE Audio is designed to enhance performance in terms of bandwidth, latency, and power consumption. Visitors saw a single smartphone linked to four different speakers simultaneously playing various audio files during a live demonstration of the LE Audio 4-channel at Samsung’s booth.

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◻ Advanced Pixel Technology Reforming the Look of Colors and Details

The pinnacle of Samsung’s cutting-edge pixel technology, Dual VTG(Dual Vertical Transfer Gate), takes ultra-high resolution to a new level. Adopted in the most recent ISOCELL HP2 from Samsung, the technology significantly reduces washed-out images in brightly lit environments with two transfer gates instead of just one per photodiode. As the amount of electrons that a single pixel can absorb becomes limited due to decreased pixel size, this new technology was developed to dramatically improve signal transfer efficiency and full well capacity. By adding a second transfer gate in the pixel, ISOCELL HP2 achieved 33% increased full well capacity than the predecessor, realizing remarkable enhancement in color reproduction.

Samsung’s System LSI Showcase at MWC 2023 gave attendees a sneak peek into the mobile experiences of the future. Samsung is committed to advancing innovation, developing products that effectively serve customers’ needs, and taking this chance to talk with tech consumers about the cutting-edge innovations required to usher in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and a smarter future.

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<sub>1. Effective only in areas where NTN satellite technology services are established
2. Maximum data rate achievable with RSDB operation</sub>

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