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But wait, how does any of this work?
等等，这是怎么回事？
Well, 5G systems will run on smaller what they call, cell sites, that divide their territory into different sections.
原来，5G系统将依赖更小的，所谓的“蜂窝基站”，这些基站将它们覆盖的范围分为不同的区域。
Then, exchanges between cell sites and devices are made with encoded data, through radio waves, called OFDM.
这样一来，基站和设备之间的数据交换就能通过名为“OFDM”（正交频分复用技术）的无线电波，用编码数据实现了。
This encoding isn’t much different from what 4G LTE uses,
这种编码和4G 长期演进（LTE）使用的编码并没有太大不同，
but the frequencies they use within the spectrum are.
但它们使用的频率有很大的不同。
Right now the low-band spectrum that 4G LTE travels on is overly crowded and therefore we can only expect speeds up to 2Gs/S.
目前4G LTE传输使用的低频段频谱已经过于拥挤，所以，我们使用的网络最快也只有2Gs/S（千兆/秒）的速度。
Which, by the way, doesn’t seem too bad running on Verizon visible for only $40/month,
顺便说一句，这个速度，电信巨头Verizon旗下的Visible公司推出的月资费40美元的无限数据套餐服务用起来体验还是挺不错的，
but we can get to that more later on.
这个我们等下再说。
5G can currently travel on a couple of kind of airwaves.
就目前来看，5G可以用好几种电波传输。
One low-band frequency and one high-frequency.
一个低频，一个高频。
The plans are for low-band frequency 5G to operate through 4G cell sites that companies already have in place.
他们的设想是让低频5G使用当前的4G蜂窝基站。
But the encoding will be more flexible and use a bigger channel size to get up to 50 percent better speeds than LTE.
但5G的编码会更加灵活，使用更大的通道，从而将速度提升至LTE技术下通讯速度的1.5倍。
This isn’t too bad.
听着还挺不错嘛。
But since we want the multi-gigabit, ultra-fast, speeds,
但因为我们想要的是数千兆、超高速的速度，
we’re going to use higher frequencies on the millimeter wave spectrum.
我们就得用毫米波段上更高的频率。
Now it slightly varies, but millimeter waves are signals estimated to be above 24GHz or 30GHz
这下就略有不同了，但毫米波是预计频率位于24GHz或30GHz以上的信号，
where there’s enough spectrum available to create big channels for very high speeds.
那个范围的频率上就有足够的频谱来创建高速的大通道。
But what researchers have been struggling with
但让研究人员一直很头疼的问题是
is the fact that these wavelengths are easily blocked and can only go very short distances.
这些波长穿透性很差，信号只能维持很短的距离。
So a new infrastructure is needed.
所以，还需要一种新的基础设施。
That’s why we have to get the small cell sites.
这也是我们为什么需要覆盖范围更小的蜂窝基站的原因。
Hundreds, if not thousands of lower-power base stations (outputting only 2-10 watts each)
届时需要在城市住宅内部或周边搭建数百个，即便没有数千个的话，
will have to be built in and around city homes to keep the connectivity in place.
低功率的基站(每个只输出2-10瓦的功率)，确保连接到位。
There are select places around the U.S. that actually already have some of them,
美国有些试点已经搭建了一些了，
BUT we still need our devices to upgrade to get the speeds we want.
但要达到我们想要的速度我们还需要升级我们的设备。
This is where the Qualcomm chip comes in.
而这正是高通芯片的用武之地。
Qualcomm is a wireless chip maker
高通是一家无线芯片制造商，
and they’ve been the forefront of advancements in chip technology since the 3G era.
自3G时代以来，它一直是引领芯片技术进步的先锋。
Their new one, creatively called Snapdragon X55 5G ,
他们的新产品，创造性地命名为“骁龙X55 5G”调制解调器，
is a millimeter wave modem that would run along their new millimeter wave antenna the QTM525..
是一个毫米波段的调制解调器，依托全新毫米波天线模组QTM526。
The idea is that these modules will help smartphones connect to the new and improved network of 5G
他们的想法是，这些模组将帮助智能手机连接到新的、更快的5G网络的同时
AS WELL AS stay connected to the previous “g’s” 2 through 4.
还能兼容此前2G-4G的所有频段。
They anticipate that phone makers will embed three or four modules in their devices,
他们期望，手机制造商能在他们的设备中嵌入三四个模块，
so the device always gets a signal from one module even if the others are blocked by something like your hand.
这样一来，哪怕是你的手或者其他什么东西挡住了其余模块的信号，也还是有一个模块能接收到信号。
And Qualcomm is not the only one, there are other brands that are in the works to make 5G happen for the consumer market.
然而，除了高通，其他（芯片）品牌也在张罗着给消费者市场打造5G环境。
So, for us to really reap the benefits of this all-powerful 5G speed, the whole infrastructure needs to change.
所以，要真正享受这种万能的5G速度带来的好处，就得把基础设施换个透。
You can’t have the 5G phone without the 5G network,
没有5G网络就没有5G手机，
and you can’t have the 5G network until you get the mini cell towers,
而没有那些小小的蜂窝塔，就没有5G网络，
but companies are making massive strides.
但业内的公司都在大步流星地朝着5G进发。
Most of the phones and networks are planning to launch at the end of 2019.
大多数手机和网络计划都将在2019年底推出。
So keep your eyes peeled, And your phones ready to throw out.
所以，大家伙儿，请睁大你们的眼睛，并随时准备好扔掉你们的旧手机吧。
