Qualcomm MPN encoding patterns, suffix decoding, and handler guidance. Use when working with Qualcomm mobile SoCs, RF front-end, WiFi/Bluetooth, modems, or power management ICs.
The handler extracts series by collecting letters and digits before any hyphen:
// Algorithm: collect alphanumerics until hyphen or end of letter+digit pattern
SM8550-AB → SM8550
QCA6390 → QCA6390
PM8550 → PM8550
MDM9650 → MDM9650
The extraction stops when:
A hyphen is encountered
Letters and digits have both been found, and a non-alphanumeric appears
Snapdragon Naming Evolution
Modern Naming (2021+)
Series
Tier
Examples
SM8xxx
Flagship (8-series)
SM8550 (Gen 2), SM8650 (Gen 3)
SM7xxx
Premium (7-series)
SM7550, SM7450
SM6xxx
Mainstream (6-series)
SM6350, SM6225
SM4xxx
Budget (4-series)
SM4350, SM4250
Legacy Naming
Series
Year
Examples
SD8xx
2017-2021
SD888, SD865, SD855, SD845
SD7xx
2018-2021
SD780, SD765, SD750
SD6xx
2017-2021
SD695, SD680, SD660
SD4xx
2016-2021
SD480, SD460, SD450
MSM89xx
2014-2017
MSM8996, MSM8953
Performance Tiers (Suffix Keywords)
Tier
Keyword
Description
Elite
Elite
Highest performance
Plus
Plus
Enhanced variant
Pro
Pro
Professional variant
Standard
(none)
Base variant
Generation (Suffix Keywords)
Generation
Keyword
Year
Gen 1
Gen1
2021
Gen 2
Gen2
2022
Gen 3
Gen3
2023
Supported ComponentTypes
The handler registers all patterns under ComponentType.IC and declares:
getSupportedTypes() → { WIFI_IC_QUALCOMM }
Known Issue: The handler registers patterns for many IC categories (SoCs, modems, PMICs, etc.) but only declares WIFI_IC_QUALCOMM in getSupportedTypes(). Consider adding IC to getSupportedTypes() for completeness.
Replacement Compatibility Logic
The handler implements sophisticated replacement checking via isOfficialReplacement():
Compatible Series Pairs
Series 1
Series 2
Category
SD8xx
SD8xx
Snapdragon flagship
SM8xx
SM8xx
Snapdragon mobile
QCS4xx
QCS4xx
IoT platform
QCM2xx
QCM2xx
IoT module
QM4xx
QM4xx
RF module
QCA6xx
QCA6xx
Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
WCN3xx
WCN3xx
Wireless connectivity
Category-Specific Checks
Snapdragon SoCs (SM, SD, QSD, MSM):
Generation compatibility (higher gen can replace lower)
Performance tier compatibility (Elite > Plus > Pro > Standard)
Wireless Modules (QCA, WCN, MDM, FSM):
Wi-Fi version compatibility (WiFi-6 > WiFi-5 > WiFi-4)
Bluetooth version compatibility (5.2 > 5.1 > 5.0 > 4.2)
Power Management (PM, PMI, SMB):
Voltage rating compatibility (within 5% tolerance)
Current rating compatibility (higher can replace lower)
Example MPNs
Mobile SoCs
MPN
Description
SM8550-AB
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship SoC
SM8450-3-AB
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC
SD888
Snapdragon 888 flagship (legacy naming)
MSM8996
Snapdragon 820/821 SoC
QSD8250
First-gen Snapdragon
IoT Platforms
MPN
Description
QCS603
Vision Intelligence Platform
QCM6490
IoT module with 5G
APQ8064
Application processor (no modem)
IPQ8074
Networking processor for routers
RF Front-End
MPN
Description
QM42195
RF front-end module
QPM5677
Power amplifier module
QAT3555
Antenna tuner
QET6100
Envelope tracking module
Wireless Connectivity
MPN
Description
QCA6390
Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.2
QCA6174A-3-FCBGA
Wi-Fi 5 / BT 4.2, FCBGA package
WCN6855
Wi-Fi 6E combo chip
MDM9650
LTE Cat-9 modem
Power Management
MPN
Description
PM8550
Main PMIC for SM8550
PMI8998
Power management IC
SMB1360-1-BGA
Battery charging IC, BGA package
Audio
MPN
Description
WCD9380
Audio codec
WSA8810
Smart speaker amplifier
Handler Implementation Notes
Pattern Matching
All patterns are registered under ComponentType.IC:
HashSet in getSupportedTypes(): Uses HashSet instead of Set.of() - should be updated for consistency
IC type not in getSupportedTypes(): Handler registers patterns for ComponentType.IC but only declares WIFI_IC_QUALCOMM - may cause matches() to return true but type not in supported set
Commented-out code: Line 54 has commented-out WIFI_IC type
Related Files
Handler: manufacturers/QualcommHandler.java
Component types: WIFI_IC_QUALCOMM
Tests: (None currently - handler needs test coverage)
Learnings & Quirks
PMIC naming convention: PM/PMI part numbers often match the SoC they're designed for (PM8550 pairs with SM8550)
Atheros heritage: QCA prefix comes from Qualcomm Atheros acquisition (2011) - Wi-Fi/Bluetooth expertise
Package suffix variability: Many Qualcomm parts are sold without explicit package suffix in MPN
Generation extraction: The handler extracts generation from 3-digit numeric portions (first digit = generation, second digit = tier)
Wi-Fi capability keywords: Some MPNs include "ax", "ac", "n" to indicate Wi-Fi version
BT version in MPN: Bluetooth version may appear as "BT5.2", "BT5.1", etc. in some variants