AI-native wireless communications specialist DeepSig has been awarded a grant by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to accelerate innovation in massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (mMIMO) technology for Radio Units (RUs). Collaborating with Fujitsu and Qualcomm, this initiative will drive the development of AI-enhanced beamforming and antenna technologies to address critical performance and scalability challenges within Open and Interoperable (OpenRAN) wireless networks, the company said in a statement on January 21, 2025.
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Challenges in Current mMIMO Deployments
By leveraging large antenna arrays, mMIMO technology significantly improves spectral efficiency, network capacity and coverage. However, existing deployments often fall short of their theoretical potential due to latency, energy consumption, implementation and cost constraints, DeepSig explained.
Leveraging AI and Industry Expertise
This partnership seeks to overcome these challenges, which often limit the potential of mMIMO systems. DeepSig will leverage its OmniPHY-5G machine learning-based software alongside Fujitsu's OpenRAN mMIMO RUs and Qualcomm's QRU10xx chipset. By addressing these barriers, the collaboration will drive the adoption of 5G and 5G Advanced networks while laying the groundwork for AI-powered 6G technologies.
"Building on our OmniPHY-5G machine learning-based software, this program integrates Fujitsu's radio unit solutions and Qualcomm's system-on-chip to optimise the performance of Massive MIMO radio units. Together, these innovations will accelerate the adoption of OpenRAN 5G networks and establish the foundation for AI-driven 6G technologies, shaping the future of wireless communication," said DeepSig CEO.
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Details of the Partnership
Fujitsu: Provides mature, interoperable high-performance OpenRAN 5G mMIMO RUs, built on Qualcomm's QRU chipset, already deployed by major operators (MNOs).
Qualcomm: Supplies the QRU10xx chipset, enabling efficient real-time beamforming optimisation and other critical mMIMO functions within the O-RU solutions.
"This collaboration aims to bridge the theoretical potential and real-world performance of mMIMO systems. It will accelerate the adoption of mMIMO O-RUs in 5G, 5G Advanced and 6G networks, reduce costs and support global standards development with the O-RAN Alliance and 3GPP," the DeepSig said.
