The growing complexity of networks – pushed by fixed software program updates, the combination of AI and machine studying (ML), the rise of edge computing, and virtualised structure – is inserting relentless stress on community operators.
To navigate this advanced surroundings successfully, operators are turning to digital twin applied sciences. These digital replicas of a bodily community, techniques and processes mirror real-world community situations and allow operators to simulate a number of situations to foretell outcomes, develop new purposes, and optimize efficiency.
In doing so, digital twins present a protected and managed surroundings to check, optimize, and innovate with out risking downtime. In fact, the actual energy of a digital twin lies in its means to duplicate not simply the community’s construction but additionally its dynamic habits. This consists of emulating completely different topologies, configurations, mobility patterns and visitors profiles on actual and artificial maps. Briefly, it’s not simply digital twins, however clever twins which can be wanted.
VIAVI’s Clever Digital Twin Know-how
VIAVI’s analysis and growth of digital twin applied sciences is in depth, creating services and products in addition to creating strategic partnerships throughout the business.
For instance, in April 2024, we launched a 6G city-scale digital twin and Ai-native air interface based mostly on our 6G Ahead program. This makes use of AI and ML to enhance ray tracing for RF propagation modelling, and combines this with ongoing real-world measurement to advance and adapt fashions with extra correct KPIs.
Moreover, we’ve partnered and collaborated with organizations comparable to Rohde & Schwarz (on a non-terrestrial community digital twin testbed for LEO, MEO and GEO satellites) and Broadcom (on AI-based digital twins for telecom networks).
Key Elements of a Digital Twin Community
Digital twins require a collection of functionalities with a purpose to present an appropriate simulation of the real-world community – cell networks particularly add complexity with the necessity to simulate a number of community requirements, with system handoffs and community interactions: 4G, 5G, rising 6G (together with flying drone base stations), and non-terrestrial (NTN).
At VIAVI we begin with the emulation of cell gadgets (of their hundreds), utilizing the TM500 wi-fi community tester to emulate the usage of these gadgets throughout networks. The TM500 has been confirmed via use with nearly all producers working within the cell community sector and ensures the digital twin is sensible.
Subsequent, system stage RAN behaviors should be simulated, with the RAN twin mirroring actual community situations and system behaviors. Right here, techniques such because the TeraVM AI RSG (RAN State of affairs Generator) can emulate a variety of topologies, configurations, mobility patterns and visitors profiles on each actual and artificial maps to create massive volumes of real-world visitors and allow the excellent testing / coaching of AI engines and purposes.
NITRO Location Intelligence will be leveraged to investigate each interplay between subscriber and IoT gadgets and the community. Contextual data relating to subscribers and gadgets permits a exact understanding of the place the issues are and greatest optimize the community. In a digital twin state of affairs, NITRO Location Intelligence powers clients with the analytics wanted to remodel community information into actionable insights.
To separate sign from noise, we’d like dwell network-traffic seize options that may complement the community digital twin and make it a extra sensible answer – and instruments comparable to VIAVI’s Cloud-Native NITRO AIOps (AI for Community Operations) platform function inside the RSG to allow this via the gathering and aggregation of intensive information, earlier than making use of AI to it with a purpose to determine the foundation causes of any points.
Inside the RSG is VIAVI’s AI-powered Ray Tracing software, which permits ray tracing channel era and 3D community planning capabilities for massive-MIMO optimization and indoor modelling.
Lastly, with a purpose to streamline and automate the testing of campaigns, instances, and executions, and make the testing much less vulnerable to error, automation administration and orchestration techniques, VIAVI affords the VIAVI Automation Administration and Orchestration System (VAMOS).
Making use of Clever Twins to 6G R&D – The 6G Metropolis-Scale Digital Twin
These instruments and applied sciences will be seen in VIAVI’s 6G city-scale digital twin (talked about above), which is a crucial software for coaching all parts of the community.
This technique incorporates AI and ML, and applies them to RF propagation modelling, which is crucial for large-scale community simulations. Moreover, the digital twin is implementing an AI-Native Air Interface (AI-AI) which makes use of skilled AI fashions for sign processing.
This analysis is essential for creating networks that may dynamically adapt to completely different environments and situations.
VIAVI at MWC Barcelona 2025
VIAVI shall be at Cell World Congress (MWC) Barcelona in 2025 from March 3 via 6 at Corridor 5, sales space A18, with all merchandise talked about above forming a part of our AI-based digital twin demonstration. Click on right here to be taught extra.
As we now have seen, digital twins will type a essential component within the analysis and growth of 6G networks and we might love to speak with you and see how we will associate with you.
