At the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2024, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) will showcase its cutting-edge 5G O-RAN private network management solution, Athena Orchestrator, featuring a groundbreaking joint communication and sensing (JCAS) feature known as Athena Sensing.
With a remarkable 20% reduction in energy consumption, Athena Orchestrator has received several international acclaims, winning a 2023 R&D 100 Award, a gold award at the 2023 Edison Awards, and the Small Cell Forum (SCF) Awards in 2018, 2020, and 2022.
Beyond its original features such as Athena Planner, Athena EMS, and Athena RIC, this 5G energy-saving solution introduces an enhanced sensing capability called Athena Sensing, a feature making its debut at MWC 2024. By integrating JCAS technology as one of the rApps within Athena RIC, Athena Sensing underscores the scalability of Athena Orchestrator for beyond-5G mobile networks.
This cutting-edge feature can leverage radar-like sensing data, coupled with AI recognition technology, to enable several applications, such as intuitive video game control through hand gestures, as well as home automation and robotics control via body actions. The Institute’s pursuit of pioneering JCAS technology reflects its aim to incorporate sensing capabilities directly into base stations, paving the way for a future where sensing and communication converge into a single device, eliminating the need for separate systems.
Among the notable features of Athena Orchestrator is Athena Planner, a pivotal tool for 5G site survey planning. It utilizes AI to offer network deployment engineers expert recommendations on the suitable number, deployment location, configuration, and analytical reports for 5G base stations. Meanwhile, Athena EMS and Athena RIC are solutions designed to enhance the energy efficiency of 5G O-RAN private networks. Beyond adhering to O-RAN specifications, these solutions provide multiple extendable applications catering to various 5G requirements, ensuring enhanced deployment efficacy and sustainability.
SOURCE: PRNewswire
