Viettel High Technology, DeepSig unveil first AI/ML 5G neural receiver

Viettel High Technology Industries Corporation (VHT), a leading developer and manufacturer of telecommunications solutions, has partnered with DeepSig, a company at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for wireless communications. Together, they have announced the deployment of the industry’s first live AI/ML-based neural receiver in a 5G Open virtualized radio access network (vRAN) in Hanoi, marking a significant milestone in the integration of AI/ML technologies into 5G networks.

This innovative collaboration sees the integration of DeepSig’s OmniPHY-5G neural receiver software into VHT’s Distributed Unit (DU), which is powered by Intel Xeon processors and Intel® FlexRAN reference software. The primary goal is to enhance 5G user throughput and resource utilization in Open vRAN deployments. DeepSig’s AI/ML-based algorithms are specifically designed to improve the Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR) of the physical shared uplink channel (PUSCH), thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and capacity of 5G radio access networks (RAN).

VHT’s DU ORAN equipment, which controls multiple cells with a large user capacity and high load, is at the forefront of this trial network. The collaboration between VHT and DeepSig demonstrates a significant improvement in 5G RAN capacity and hardware efficiency, allowing mobile network operators to deliver a superior quality of experience to users without the need for additional hardware investments.

Nguyen Vu Ha, CEO of VHT, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “VHT is confident that the collaboration with DeepSig is a pioneer in deploying AI/ML into ORAN standard device systems supporting 5G. DeepSig always quickly changes and responds best to VHT’s equipment and systems, contributing to improving performance and capacity, especially Uplink decoding processing. The contribution of equipment systems and real data sources from deployment on Viettel network is proud to be a prerequisite for optimal AI/ML operation.”

Echoing the sentiment, Jim Shea, CEO of DeepSig, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “Our close partnership with VHT is proving how DeepSig’s AI software improves user throughput in real-world conditions. VHT’s urban 5G trial network is an ideal environment for the integrated 5G neural receiver to validate increased radio performance. VHT’s adoption of AI/ML technology in their 5G Open vRAN portfolio shows true innovation leadership,” said Jim Shea, CEO of DeepSig. “We are proud to achieve this important industry milestone with VHT and more to come.”

Cristina Rodriguez, vice president and general manager at Intel’s Wireless Access Networking Division, also praised the deployment’s innovative approach: “This deployment illustrates how a fully virtualized RAN makes it possible to quickly implement new innovations that bring real benefits to operators. In addition, DeepSig and Viettel High Tech accomplished this on a live 5G network using general-purpose Intel Xeon processors, without requiring dedicated AI hardware. It’s an extraordinary credit to the innovation of both companies.”

This collaboration between Viettel High Technology Industries Corporation and DeepSig is a testament to the transformative potential of AI/ML technologies in enhancing 5G networks. By leveraging the power of AI/ML algorithms for signal processing, this partnership not only improves the efficiency and capacity of 5G networks but also showcases a significant advancement in the telecommunications industry’s ongoing digital transformation.