Munich 24-Jun-2024

Rohde & Schwarz joins AI-RAN Alliance and leverages its T&M expertise to unlock potential of AI for wireless communications

Rohde & Schwarz has become the latest member of the recently formed AI-RAN Alliance. As a global leader in wireless testing, the company will contribute its T&M expertise to this new collaborative initiative, which aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into wireless communications to advance radio access network (RAN) performance and mobile networks. The membership marks a significant milestone for Rohde & Schwarz on the road to 6G and takes its ongoing collaboration with industry leaders on AI-native air interfaces to a new level.

By joining the AI-RAN Alliance, Rohde & Schwarz further aligns itself with key industry players such as NVIDIA, Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung and strengthens its role in the development of AI-native air interface test methodologies. Rohde & Schwarz will contribute its cutting-edge test and measurement solutions and many years of expertise to the alliance for the optimization of next-generation wireless networks.

Formed in February 2024 during the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the AI-RAN Alliance will leverage their members’ respective technology expertise and collective leadership to focus on three key areas of research and innovation as the ecosystems moves towards 6G:

• AI for RAN: Advancing RAN capabilities through AI to improve spectral efficiency.
• AI and RAN: Integrating AI and RAN processes to utilize infrastructure more effectively and generate new AI-driven revenue opportunities.
• AI on RAN: Deploying AI services at the network edge through RAN to increase operational efficiency and offer new services to mobile users.

Prior to joining the alliance, Rohde & Schwarz has collaborated with NVIDIA's research team on 6G research, pioneering a test bed for exploring neural receiver implementations that promise to revolutionize the air interface by improving performance and network efficiency. The strategic move to join the alliance underscores the commitment of Rohde & Schwarz to drive the future of wireless communications through innovation and collaboration.

Andreas Pauly, Chief Technology Officer at Rohde & Schwarz, said: “Collaboration is critical to unlocking the full potential of 6G technology components, such as an AI-native air interface. By partnering with leading industry players and joining the AI-RAN Alliance, we ensure that we remain at the forefront of wireless communications innovation. In this way, the ecosystem benefits from our extensive experience in creating holistic test solutions for the wireless industry.”

Click for more information on the role of AI in the future of wireless communications and how Rohde & Schwarz test equipment is supporting related research projects.

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Rohde & Schwarz

Rohde & Schwarz is striving for a safer and connected world with its Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity Divisions. For over 90 years, the global technology group has pushed technical boundaries with developments in cutting-edge technologies. The company's leading-edge products and solutions empower industrial, regulatory and government customers to attain technological and digital sovereignty. The privately owned, Munich based company can act independently, long-term and sustainably. Rohde & Schwarz generated net revenue of EUR 2.93 billion in the 2023/2024 fiscal year (July to June). On June 30, 2024, Rohde & Schwarz had more than 14,400 employees worldwide.

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AI-RAN Alliance

Bringing together technology, industry, and academic institutions, the alliance’s founding members include Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), Arm, DeepSig Inc. (DeepSig), Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Ericsson), Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft), Nokia, Northeastern University, NVIDIA, Samsung Electronics, SoftBank Corp. (SoftBank) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile). The group’s mission is to enhance mobile network efficiency, reduce power consumption, and retrofit existing infrastructure, setting the stage for unlocking new economic opportunities for telecommunications companies with AI, facilitated by 5G and 6G.