Ericsson and MIT announced their partnership on two research projects to build network infrastructure to power 5G and 6G mobile networks.
The partners noted that new network generations with ultra fast speed, low latency and broad reliability have complex structures to manage. Ericsson said it is working to research on cognitive networks, that rely on AI, to enable a secure, automised, data-driven network operation.
“5G is leading to a fully-realised IoT and bringing us closer to a truly connected world. Massive amounts of tiny IoT devices and AI-driven, cognitive networks are two drivers of the next leap forward…We hope to develop the hardware that will make that possible,” said Magnus Frodigh, head of Ericsson Research in a statement.
To improve the compute power, speed and energy efficiency of cognitive networks, the partners are researching new designs in lithionic chips that will allow neuromorphic computing, offering exponentially more energy efficient AI processing. This is said to enable fully cognitive networks with reduced operation complexity and energy consumption compared to today.
They are also collaborating on research of mobile networks that connect trillions of sensors and other zero-energy devices. The research by Ericsson and MIT Materials Research Laboratory may show how devices can harvest energy from radio signals and other sources, as well as how systems can be designed to utilise this low power to accomplish simple tasks, including how a mobile network may be designed to connect and control these devices.
Anantha P. Chandrakasan, dean of MIT’s School of Engineering said, “By combining our knowledge with Ericsson’s expertise in mobile technology, we aim to develop hardware that will power exciting new AI applications on the edge, and take significant strides in the next generation of mobile networks.”
