Tokyo, Japan, February 16, 2024 NEC Corporation (NEC, TSE 6701) dynamically controls the 5G radio access network (RAN) according to the status of each user terminal, dramatically improving the productivity of applications such as remote control of robots. We have developed RAN autonomous optimization technology. And the vehicle. NEC will incorporate this technology into its RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and conduct demonstration experiments using the technology by March 2025.
There is a growing momentum to promote digital transformation (DX) that utilizes the latest technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and IoT (Internet of Things) with the aim of resolving labor shortages and improving productivity. When using these technologies for remote control of robots and vehicles, it is necessary to complete two-way communication such as status monitoring and control instructions for each robot or vehicle within a certain amount of time. However, if the communication delay exceeds requirements, the system will repeatedly stop operating for safety reasons, reducing operating rates and productivity.Communication delays such as retransmission delays and queuing delays due to poor wireless quality
Congestion of wireless links has been a barrier to the implementation of remote control systems.
Currently, we are creating a stable communication environment by introducing high-performance network equipment, securing sufficient frequency resources, redundant coding and communication paths, and presetting RAN parameters according to the application. However, with these methods, it is difficult to support a wide range of applications that are becoming more diverse as DX progresses, and the time and cost required for implementation are also issues.
About RAN autonomous optimization technology
The RAN autonomous optimization technology developed by NEC uses AI to analyze communication requirements and wireless quality fluctuations for each user terminal such as a robot or vehicle, and AI to dynamically control RAN parameters for each user terminal based on that analysis. configured. The analysis results. This AI learns past operational records of robots and vehicles and predicts RAN parameters such as modulation and coding schemes (target block error rate), radio resource allocation (resource block rate), and maximum allowable delay (delay budget). while maintaining optimal control. Possibility of exceeding communication delay requirements. Unlike typical 5G networks, where RAN parameters are fixed and set network-wide, this technology dynamically controls each user device to improve application productivity.
The features of the technology are as follows.
1. Flexible support for various applications
Since RAN parameters can be dynamically controlled according to the communication requirements of the application, overall optimization is possible even in environments where a variety of applications coexist.
2. O-RAN Alliance compliant and easy to deploy
It can be installed in RICs that comply with O-RAN Alliance standard specifications, making it easy to introduce or expand existing equipment.
3. Dramatic productivity improvement possible at industrial sites
Simulation results of applying this technology to a system that remotely controls multiple autonomous robots operating in factories and warehouses confirmed that the number of robot stoppages can be reduced by more than 98% compared to when this technology is not used. .
NEC plans to incorporate this technology into a RIC platform that complies with O-RAN Alliance standard specifications and conduct demonstration experiments using this technology by March 2025.
NEC will exhibit this technology at MWC Barcelona 2024, the world’s largest mobile exhibition, to be held at Fira Gran Vía in Barcelona, Spain from February 26th to February 29th, 2024.
This news release is based on the results of the “Post-5G Information and Communication System Infrastructure Advancement Research and Development Project” (JPNP20017) commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
For more information on this technology, please visit
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