The Intersection of Electronics and Telecommunication Innovation
The telecommunications industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by advancements in electronics. From the advent of 5G networks to the Internet of Things (IoT) and satellite communications, electronics form the backbone of global connectivity. This integration fosters innovation, enabling seamless communication, efficient data transfer, and enhanced device performance. Understanding the pivotal role of electronics in telecommunications is crucial to appreciating its impact on modern infrastructure and future potential.
Electronics serve as the backbone of the telecommunications industry, driving advancements that enable global connectivity and seamless communication. From powering high-speed 5G networks and IoT devices to supporting satellite communications and data centers, electronics are essential for modern telecommunications. Key components like semiconductors, RF systems, and optoelectronics form the core of this integration, ensuring efficient and reliable performance. The demand for smaller, faster, and more sustainable technologies continues to push the boundaries of innovation.
As the telecommunications landscape evolves, emerging trends such as AI-powered network optimization, edge computing, and quantum communication promise to revolutionize the industry further. Despite challenges like supply chain disruptions and thermal management, the partnership between electronics and telecommunications remains pivotal. Together, they are shaping a future defined by smarter devices, greener technologies, and unprecedented global connectivity.
NVIDIA AI AERIAL LAUNCHES TO OPTIMIZE WIRELESS NETWORKS, DELIVER NEW GENERATIVE AI EXPERIENCES ON ONE PLATFORM
Telecommunications providers are transforming beyond voice and data services with an AI computing infrastructure to optimize wireless networks and serve the next-generation needs of generative AI on mobile, robots, autonomous vehicles, smart factories, 5G and much more.
NVIDIA AI Aerial is a suite of accelerated computing software and hardware for designing, simulating, training and deploying AI radio access network technology (AI-RAN) for wireless networks in the AI era.
The platform will become a critical foundation to allow network optimization at scale to serve the demands of a host of new services. This will provide significant savings in total cost of ownership and open telecom operators to new revenue opportunities for enterprise and consumer services.
NVIDIA AI Aerial enables telecommunications service providers to support teleoperations for manufacturing robots and autonomous vehicles, computer vision in manufacturing and agriculture, logistics, generative AI-driven co-pilots and personal assistants, emerging spatial computing applications, robotic surgery, 3D collaboration, and 5G and 6G advances.
Driving Networks of the Future With AI-RAN
NVIDIA AI Aerial is the world’s first AI-RAN platform capable of hosting generative AI and RAN traffic, as well as integrating AI into network optimization.
AI-RAN offers high-performance and energy-efficient software-defined RAN, improved network experience and new revenue opportunities with edge AI applications to host internal and third-party generative AI applications.
AI-RAN is foundational to the multipurpose networks of tomorrow that rely on AI-powered telecommunications capabilities.
Harnessing NVIDIA AI Aerial for Telecom Industry
The NVIDIA AI Aerial platform offers access to a full suite of capabilities, including a high-performance, software-defined RAN along with training, simulation and inference so that telecom operators can participate at any stage of development to deployment for next-generation wireless networks.
Some capabilities in the NVIDIA AI Aerial platform include:
NVIDIA AI Aerial and AI RAN Innovation Center NVIDIA is collaborating with T-Mobile, Ericsson and Nokia to accelerate the commercialization of AI-RAN with the establishment of the AI-RAN Innovation Center.
The center will tap into key capabilities of the NVIDIA AI Aerial platform. The collaboration is focused on bringing RAN and AI innovation closer together to deliver transformational network experiences for customers through the development of AI-RAN.
NVIDIA AI Aerial Ecosystem
Key partners of the growing ecosystem of NVIDIA AI Aerial include Softbank and Fujitsu.
Ansys and Keysight are using NVIDIA Aerial Omniverse Digital Twin for testing and simulation systems, while partners and academia such as DeepSig, ETH-Zurich, Northeastern University and Samsung are collaborating on 6G research and NVIDIA Aerial AI Radio Frameworks.
Cloud stack software providers such as Aarna Networks, Canonical, Red Hat and Wind River; networking stack providers like Arrcus network and server infrastructure providers like Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Supermicro are key partners for NVIDIA AI Aerial. Edge Solution providers like Vapor IO, and system integrators like World Wide Technology, with its AI Proving Ground, are accelerating decision-making for AI solutions.
Learn more about NVIDIA AI Aerial
Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH has just released a new RF single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch in a compact package, suitable for applications such as telecommunications base stations, industrial equipment, repeaters, consumer equipment, and transceivers
The new high-power RF SPDT switch from Toshiba (TCWA1225G) offers an input peak power of 46 dBm (@ 8dB PAR). This has been achieved by adopting Toshiba’s original CMOS process and optimising the internal switching circuitry. The CMOS process also reduces insertion loss to avoid lowering transmit power and receiver sensitivity. As a result, the insertion loss of the TCWA1225G is 0.6 dB (typ. @ 5GHz) – around 10% lower than competitive products.
The operating voltage is nominally 3.3V and power consumption is just 50μA. The new device is capable of operating in ambient temperatures from -40ºC to +95ºC.
The TCWA1225G is housed in a tiny Wafer-level Chip Scale Package (WCSP) measuring just 1.9mm x 1.9mm – giving a footprint around 10% smaller than other devices. All important pads including RF terminals, power and control are placed on the periphery of the device to simplify PCB layout.
As part of the 5G rollout, telecommunications base stations have recently introduced Massive MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) and several TX/RX antennae to deliver ultra-high-speed and ultra-large-capacity radio communications services.
Individual antennas are increasingly composed of complex signal transmission paths that need RF switching. This requires low insertion loss and high input power in a compact package so that antenna size is maintained or reduced.
ETS-Lindgren and Anritsu Collaborate to Advance Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Device Testing
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ETS-Lindgren, the global leader in over-the-air (OTA) performance testing, and Anritsu, a pioneer in telecommunications testing technology, are pleased to announce test support for devices using Narrow Band NTN (NB-NTN) protocol.
This collaboration combines the strengths of both companies, offering a comprehensive solution for the testing and validation of NB-NTN devices. The partnership leverages Anritsu’s MT8821C Radio Communication Analyzer, a trusted solution for RF verification and functional tests of mobile devices, with ETS-Lindgren’s EMQuest™ Antenna Measurement Software and Wireless Test Solutions.
Anritsu’s MT8821C supports cellular technologies, including LTE-Advanced and IoT, in accordance with 3GPP RF test specifications. The MT8821C, known for its wide dynamic range, maintains a stable wireless connection even in challenging, high loss environments. Its ability to prevent unexpected disruptions during extensive OTA testing reduces the total time required for OTA tests. Added features include test support for Skylo NTN Test Cases.
“We are excited to collaborate with ETS-Lindgren, a leader in OTA Performance Testing," says Robert Johnson, VP & General Manager Anritsu Americas, “to provide our customers with comprehensive solutions for testing and validation of NTN NB-IoT devices and ensure that NB-IoT devices meet the highest standards of RF performance, reliability, and connectivity.”
James Young, Director of Wireless Solutions at ETS-Lindgren, stated, “NB-NTN is generating some excitement in the wireless space, so we are pleased with how quickly the integration with the MT8821C was accomplished. OTA labs can add NB-NTN technology support with an easy upgrade to instrumentation and software, plus capture the demand generated as mobile network operators pick satellite partners and talk about the possibilities of cellular services from space.”
The collaboration between ETS-Lindgren and Anritsu is not just about technology. It's a significant step toward the realization of a prosperous network society, especially in remote and underserved areas where delivering terrestrial cell network coverage is challenging. By combining our expertise, we continue to pave the way for innovative solutions that will revolutionize the telecommunications industry and contribute to society.
FUJITSU ENHANCES SCALABILITY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE FOR MOBILE NETWORK OPERATORS
As users worldwide increasingly expect more from their connected experiences, the demands placed on network infrastructure continue to grow and evolve. The team at Fujitsu understands that to address the needs of mobile network operators (MNOs), a sophisticated blend of innovative performance and network efficiency is needed.
But how are networks evolving and what benefits will MNOs and their customers see from this major shift to more flexible, scalable and cost-effective cellular infrastructure? Rob Hughes, head of wireless marketing at Fujitsu Network Communications, takes us through the unique and continuously evolving journey of network transformation.
A network industry titan
Fujitsu Network Communications is part of Fujitsu Limited, a Japanese multinational information and communications technology equipment and services corporation. Fujitsu Network Communications’ solutions — rooted in open technology — make communications networks faster, secure, more autonomous and sustainable, at lower total cost of ownership. They're bringing the power of Digital Transformation (DX) to the communications service providers (CSPs) that keep the world connected.
The vision
Fujitsu, a leader in open networking with over 30 years of RAN deployment expertise, understands MNO customers must enhance capacity to improve the user experience and meet the ever-increasing demand for high-speed data services, while also improving scalability and reducing the total cost of ownership. To help address those challenges, Fujitsu recently unveiled a 64TR Massive MIMO Radio Unit, designed for 5G Open RAN networks. To understand the innovative features of the radio, it's important to understand the development process.
The collaboration
When selecting a technology partner to usher in this new era of high-speed 5G networks, Rob said Fujitsu prioritized quality, reliability, financial stability and supply chain security in its partners. They also looked for a proven track record and a commitment to transparency, collaboration and continuous innovation to navigate future challenges effectively.
Rob noted that Fujitsu's track record of selecting top-tier open ecosystem partners made its collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies a natural choice, particularly given their extensive expertise in wireless communications and power efficiency.
As the world's leading wireless innovator, Qualcomm Technologies continuously develops solutions that enhance the end-to-end network experiences people rely on every day. The collaboration paid off when Fujitsu unveiled the Open RAN (O-RAN) compliant 64TRX Massive MIMO Radio Unit.
Benefits of Massive MIMO
With Massive MIMO, users enjoy a better experience across the network. It also provides dynamic coverage which makes it possible to adjust coverage based on user location and by moving the technology with the user. Standard MIMO, which typically relies on two or four antennas, has been used in wireless communications for many years. Today, the advent of Massive MIMO is radically changing the user experience, providing faster and more reliable connectivity.
Massive MIMO is a core element in high speed 5G networks. Simply put, it uses a “massive” number of antennas to make cellular networks much better. Instead of transmitting everywhere, it uses the larger number of antennas to direct more narrow beams directly to where the users are. Massive MIMO unlocks the potential of 5G by using these advanced beamforming techniques to improve signal quality, which in turn improves capacity, coverage and end-user experience while remaining energy efficient. The power issue is critically important since it reduces an MNOs power usage — a significant operations expense.
The reaction
Massive MIMO’s advanced technology helps optimize spectrum usage, while also increasing network capacity, coverage and energy efficiency. By enhancing the performance of mobile networks, it’s empowering individuals and communities, driving innovation, economic growth and social connectivity. Early adopters of Open RAN embraced its ability to promote vendor diversity, interoperability and innovation. Eager to stimulate economic growth through competition and to strengthen supply chains for more resilient telecommunications infrastructure, government agencies like the U.S.'s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) have further encouraged the adoption of Open RAN and fostered the growth of the ecosystem.
The future
Fujitsu envisions even more innovative networking developments, including industry-wide adoption of Open RAN, which will lay the foundation for future advancements — including those required for 6G networks. Rob says he is excited about Open RAN's potential to increase network flexibility and drive the innovations that enable new services and applications that ultimately lead to a more inclusive, connected and sustainable society.
Learnings from Fujitsu
Conclusion
Electronics and telecommunications are deeply intertwined, forming the foundation of our connected world. From enabling high-speed internet to powering smart devices and sustainable infrastructure, this partnership continues to evolve, pushing the boundaries of innovation. As we advance towards technologies like quantum communication and AI-driven networks, the synergy between these fields will remain a cornerstone of global progress.