Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom (SKT) kicked off joint research on AI-supported RAN technology, with the aim of building a foundation for the commercialisation of 6G.

The research will focus on AI-based channel estimation technology; distributed MIMO transmission and reception advances; and AI-RAN-based scheduler and core network technologies, which determine when, where and how to send data.

AI-based channel estimation predicts and corrects signal transmission in real time. The intent is to improve network performance by enabling faster, more accurate data delivery in environments where radio waves are distorted by obstacles such as buildings or walls, the companies outlined in a statement.

Distributed MIMO technology allows multiple base stations or antennas to work together to transmit and receive data, supporting reliable, ultra-high-speed communication across both urban and rural areas. With traditional architecture a single base station handles data processing.

Through field-focused collaboration with SKT, Jeong Jin-guk, head of Advanced Communications Research Centre at Samsung Research, noted the partners would be able to verify the effectiveness of AI-based wireless technologies in real-world settings and secure key AI-RAN technologies at an early stage.

Yu Tak-ki, VP of SKT’s Infra Tech Office, added the convergence of AI and wireless communications will be “crucial to 6G competitiveness”.

Both companies are members of the AI-RAN Alliance.

About a year ago, the pair gathered data from 5G base stations using AI and deep learning, and developed technology to improve performance by recommending optimal parameters. SKT plans to deploy the quality optimisation technology.