Samsung and Keysight push 6G forward with 7GHz X-MIMO test

Samsung Electronics has taken another step toward 6G, verifying eXtreme MIMO (X-MIMO) technology in the 7GHz band through outdoor field trials. The work was carried out with KT Corporation and Keysight Technologies and delivered peak downlink speeds of up to 3Gbps.

For eeNews Europe readers, this result matters because it sheds light on how mid-upper spectrum bands could be used to balance coverage, capacity and equipment complexity in future 6G networks. It also gives early insight into antenna and RF design challenges that system vendors, operators and component suppliers will need to address well before commercialization.

X-MIMO pushes density in the 7GHz band

The tests focused on the 7GHz band, which is emerging as a strong candidate for 6G because it sits between today’s sub-6GHz 5G spectrum and millimeter-wave frequencies. According to Samsung, ultra-high-density antenna technology enabled the breakthrough by packing far more antenna elements into a similar physical footprint. The company says the approach achieves four times the antenna density of current 5G systems.

Shorter wavelengths at 7GHz allow higher antenna density and throughput, but they also bring propagation challenges. X-MIMO aims to compensate for this by combining dense antenna arrays with advanced beamforming, delivering coverage comparable to existing 5G deployments while significantly increasing data rates.

During the trial, researchers transmitted eight simultaneous data streams from a base station to a single user. Testing took place in an outdoor environment set up jointly by Samsung and KT at Samsung’s Seoul R&D Campus, using a Samsung 6G base station prototype with 256 digital ports and a Keysight 6G terminal testbed.

Collaboration as a 6G enabler

Samsung, KT and Keysight all highlighted collaboration as a key factor in moving 6G concepts closer to reality. “Through our collaboration with KT and Keysight, we have demonstrated the potential for significant improvements in data rates for next-generation communications,” said JinGuk Jeong, Executive Vice President and Head of Advanced Communications Research Center, Samsung Research at Samsung Electronics. “We remain committed to pioneering future network technologies that will enable diverse services and enhanced user experiences in the 6G era.”

KT sees the work as a step toward practical deployment. “The validation of ultra-high-density antenna technology performance in the 7 GHz band marks a critical step toward 6G commercialization. By securing stable, high-capacity operation in high-frequency bands, we have established a foundational technology for enabling ultra-fast, immersive services,” said Jong-Sik Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Future Network Laboratory at KT Corporation.

From the test and measurement perspective, Keysight emphasized speed to market. “This work with Samsung and KT highlights how Keysight’s industry-leading 6G capabilities are accelerating real-world innovation, unlocking new spectrum for early 6G deployments and bridging the gap between research and commercial readiness to enable next-generation AI-driven wireless communications that deliver greater value to customers,” said Kailash Narayanan, Senior Vice President and President of Communications Solutions Group at Keysight.

Samsung added that it will continue joint 6G work with KT, building on recent validation of AI-based RAN optimization and new uplink coverage technologies, as the industry edges closer to defining what practical 6G systems will look like.