The RAN compute portfolio from Ericsson includes two high-capacity processors and two high-capacity, energy-efficient routers

Ericsson has announced a new portfolio of RAN compute silicon that it is confident will support demanding 5G-Advanced and enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, enabling communications service providers (CSPs) to “get the most out of current and future radio access technology evolutions.”

The RAN compute portfolio includes four products: two high-capacity processors, RAN Processor 6672 and Radio Processor 6372 and two new high-capacity, energy-efficient routers, Router 6678 and Router 6671, both of which have built-in intelligence for AI-analytics and automation. All four products, stated the vendor, are hardware prepared for Open RAN deployments and have high- and standard-capacity variants to address varying site needs.

“Our new and enhanced RAN Compute portfolio was designed with Ericsson’s customers and their future needs in mind. It both addresses their need to maximize spectrum utilization and facilitates their desire to future-proof their networks with support for Open RAN architectures. The focus on innovation and energy efficiency while reducing both footprint and total cost of ownership has resulted in powerful hardware and software that is both reliable and flexible,” commented Michael Begley, head of RAN compute, Ericsson.

The company said that the new RAN processors have four times the capacity compared to the previous generation and can support up to six 4G and 5G modes in a single unit, noting that in more advanced markets, 5G typically utilize three to four modes in basebands. “The additional modes made possible by the products announced today will allow CSPs to run more technologies simultaneously on one RAN Compute board, including 5G time division duplex (TDD) Massive MIMO, 4G and 5G frequency division duplex (FDD), and more, with modes to spare for future needs,” continued Ericsson.

The routers can be leveraged through the new Ericsson Transport Automation Controller, announced earlier this week and designed to pick up network degradations and capacity utilization issues, delivering insightshow to optimize overall network performance. 

The new products all house Ericsson-made silicon built on a modular architecture, which the vendor claimed enables a 30-60% cut in power consumption compared to industry benchmarks. For this portfolio, Ericsson is working with Intel, utilizing Intel 4 technology, as part of the pair’s larger strategic collaboration around 5G SoCs.