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Building Beyond 5G systems with NEC technology for next-generation mobile services

Heidelberg, Germany, March 30, 2021 – NEC Laboratories Europe is the newly appointed Technical Manager for the Horizon 2020 Project DAEMON: aDAptive and sElf-Learning MObile Networks, coordinated by IMDEA Networks Institute. The DAEMON consortium will design and implement a native network intelligence (NI) framework for Beyond 5G (B5G) that automates best practice decision-making for cellular networks. NEC Laboratories Europe will play a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s success by leading the design, development and implementation of this technology framework.

                        Project DAEMON (aDAptive and sElf-Learning MObile Networks) network intelligence architecture

Edge computing, intelligent surfaces and open RAN will drive the next generation of low latency, mobile applications and services. To help meet this demand, the project DAEMON will build network infrastructure that uses NI, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and other optimization techniques, to allocate system resources for required tasks.

As Technical Manager of the project, NEC Laboratories Europe will lead the design of NI solutions to manage virtualized radio access networks (vRANs) that blend virtual network functions (NFVs) and open RAN solutions. DAEMON will also include the infrastructure for reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) that transform a physical environment into an active component of the wireless communication chain. Says Dr. Garcia-Saavedra, Senior 5GN Research Scientist at NEC Laboratories Europe about the project: “Many technologies to be included in DAEMON, such as AI-enabled, virtualized radio access networks and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, are highly innovative. We strongly believe these technologies will lead the design of novel solutions for next-generation mobile systems beyond 5G.”

Implementing an adaptive and self-learning mobile network is only possible by incorporating an army of well-coordinated and reliable NI instances into a hierarchy of orchestrators and controllers that operate at different network layers. Instances also need to be incorporated and coordinated across multiple network domains for example, in mobile core, edge, far edge and even beyond edge (where reconfigurable intelligent surfaces reside). Comments Dr. Garcia-Saavedra: “The scope of DAEMON encompasses all network domains. Although an ambitious objective, we believe wireless computing should be another active element in the system. This can be included by incorporating intelligent surfaces and open RAN solutions; the consortium has enough expertise in multi-domain knowledge to make this happen.”

For DAEMON NI to function effectively, cloud computing, virtualized radio access networks and smart network resource control need to be continuously coordinated across network intelligence layers, operating at different timescales. This will allow them to accommodate the most stringent services and applications across network slices.

While virtual base stations provide a greater reach than physical ones, their reliance on machine leaning needs assurances. NEC laboratories will lead the development of explainable AI solutions that guarantee a lower bound of performance. Network slicing is a key growth driver for B5G that lets services providers from different industry verticals share network resources.  NEC laboratories will seek to resolve the common problem of signal interference between difference instances on the same network that is preventing its commercialization.

The project DAEMON consortium is seeking to develop the backbone for B5G cellular networks within the EU for the next generation of low-latency cellular applications and services for all industries. Participants include NEC Laboratories Europe, Nokia Bell Labs, Telefonica I+D, OTE Group and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises such as Software Radio Systems and ADLINK.

About NEC Laboratories Europe GmbH

NEC Laboratories Europe located in Heidelberg, Germany was established in 1997 with special emphasis on meeting the needs of NEC Group’s European customers. It dedicates research, development, and standardization on cutting-edge information and communication technologies for creating innovative social solutions. Our major research areas are including 5G networks, data science, artificial intelligence, IoT platforms as well as IoT security and blockchain. These technologies will promote NEC Group’s Solutions for a better Society in fields of digital health, lifeline and communication infrastructures, safer cities and public services.

For additional information, please visit our website at: http://www.neclab.eu

 

About NEC Europe Ltd.

NEC Europe Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, a leader in the integration of IT network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. NEC Europe Ltd. is building upon its heritage and reputation for innovation and quality by providing its expertise, solutions and services to a broad range of customers, from telecom operators to enterprises and the public sector.

For additional information, please visit the NEC Europe Ltd. home page at: http://uk.nec.com/

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