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AI/ML for the 5G RAN

and Radio Interface
A Heavy Reading white paper produced for Qualcomm Technologies

AUTHOR: GABRIEL BROWN, PRINCIPAL ANALYST, HEAVY READING

AI/ML FOR THE 5G RAN
The performance of the radio access network (RAN) determines how customers experience
5G services and drives the economics of mobile data networks. The 5G RAN architecture
and air interface are designed to support diverse, high performance services and can be
configured to scale in multiple dimensions (data rate, latency, reliability, etc.) depending on
spectrum, technology implementation, deployment choices, and so on.

Current 5G networks build on decades of experience in mobile network design and

operation. This has resulted in highly capable networks with well-established tools,
processes, and algorithms to optimize RAN performance. These traditional models are the
foundation of good network design. Now, however, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine
learning (ML) technologies are emerging that have the potential to radically reshape how 5G
networks are designed, built, and operated. And at the same time, 5G can deliver benefits
to AI/ML by helping to enable distributed and federated learning.

This paper discusses the use of AI/ML in 5G radio network design and optimization. It
explores how these techniques can be applied to the existing 5G air interface to generate
immediate improvements to systems and how the emerging 3GPP AI/ML framework can
shape the development of radio access technologies over the longer term. In particular, the
paper references federated learning, how device-based AI/ML can contribute unique data
and efficiencies to ML model training, and how on-device inference can generate rapid
performance improvements.

APPLYING AI/ML TO 5G RAN

5G RAN is a complex system that generates vast volumes of telemetry data—from multiple
sources in multiple formats—that can be analyzed to identify potential performance
optimizations. Classically, this process is led by expert wireless system designers who use
analytics tools to interpret data, troubleshoot problems, and optimize algorithm design. This
is a high skill, time-consuming process that is becoming increasingly challenging given the
volume of data 5G networks generate and the number of configuration parameters available
to operators.

The promise of ML is to rapidly identify new and perhaps unorthodox patterns and
optimizations in large datasets. These are usually hard to model using classical methods
because they involve great computational complexity. Advances in ML techniques—broadly
defined as supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning—developed in other
domains can now be applied to the 5G RAN. Used in combination with deep wireless domain
knowledge, these techniques can analyze data to “infer” better decisions or configurations
than would otherwise be the case. In this context, ML inference is the process of using an
ML model to make a prediction or guide a decision that can be actuated in the network or
end-user device. Expert wireless domain knowledge remains critical to designing the model,
to the evaluation of model outputs, and to ongoing monitoring, analysis, and development
of ML-driven RAN optimization.

© HEAVY READING | AI/ML FOR THE 5G RAN AND RADIO INTERFACE | DECEMBER 2021 2
Mapping AI/ML techniques to 5G RAN
AI/ML learning methods can be categorized as centralized learning and federated learning
and mapped to a 5G RAN as follows:

• Centralized learning: Uses training data collected by different RAN functions and
then aggregates them in a centralized node where ML model training takes place.
Output of the model can be distributed to the actuator node—for example, in the
form of a configuration update to a 5G base station (gNB). This type of ML is already
in use in mobile networks and is showing good results.
• Federated and distributed learning: Creates a collective model from data sourced
from distributed learning nodes. ML models are sent to distributed nodes (e.g., end-
user devices or base stations) to collect additional data and train their own copy of
the model. These distributed nodes then send small updates to a coordinating node,
using encrypted communication, to improve the shared, global model. Each update is
averaged with other updates and the training data itself remains on-device. In this
way, federated learning can help reduce data transfer, preserve privacy, and lower
power consumption. Examples of federated learning with on-device processing
already in service today include enhanced search prediction, voice verification and
fingerprint recognition.

Another way to think about applying AI/ML is in terms of “on top of the RAN” applications
and “embedded in the RAN” applications. “On top of the RAN” models make it possible to
use ML without major changes to existing RANs. This typically means using offline learning
to create novel algorithms that can be applied to the existing architecture. “Embedded in
the RAN” refers to models created using data collected, analyzed, and implemented within
the RAN. This approach involves changes to functional nodes and interfaces and is a much
deeper integration with RAN that will take longer to implement.

Time domains for applying ML in the 5G RAN

In 5G, it is appropriate to think about ML decision-making in terms of the time cycles that
apply to telco operations and to the RAN architecture. Figure 1 identifies three broad
categories of ML as applied to 5G RAN.

Figure 1: Appling ML to RAN in different time cycles

RAN ML type Time cycle Implementation Example benefits

Network design—e.g., to Better coverage, greater

RAN planning & Yearly/
determine placement and system capacity, optimized
deployment monthly
configuration of gNBs capex, faster deployment
Ongoing changes to cell or Enhanced network assurance
RAN
Weekly/daily/ cell cluster configurations— and performance; better
management &
hourly e.g., in response to changes security via anomaly
optimization
in demand detection
L1-L3 radio parameters in the
Better resource utilization
Real-time air centralized unit (CU),
Seconds/ and congestion control,
interface distributed unit (DU), and
milliseconds power management,
transmission radio unit (RU)—e.g., to apply
handover optimization, etc.
new RAN algorithms
Source: Heavy Reading

© HEAVY READING | AI/ML FOR THE 5G RAN AND RADIO INTERFACE | DECEMBER 2021 3
AI/ML for 5G RAN planning and deployment uses offline data to identify the placement and
configuration of gNBs. ML models can consume environmental data (mapping, building
types, power supply, etc.) and combine this with RAN simulation data and historical
operating data to optimize deployment across a service area according to coverage,
capacity, or usage requirements. The same service area (e.g., a downtown neighborhood)
may need to be upgraded with new capacity or extended in later years or months; this is
not a time-sensitive part of RAN operations.

The ongoing management and optimization of a RAN require constant performance

monitoring and adjustments. Today, changes to a RAN configuration are managed by a self-
organizing network (SON) system that can push configuration changes to base stations
based on predefined thresholds and algorithms. ML can initially be used to supplement SON
by analyzing offline data to identify potential performance benefits. An example might be
using ML for offline analysis of call data records (CDRs) to improve handover performance
along a roadside and using the existing SON to implement and monitor the changes. In the
future, the SON system may evolve into a component of an open RAN service management
and orchestration (SMO) toolset (e.g., as a RAN Intelligent Controller [RIC]). In this
category, model training is done offline and centrally, and changes are made hourly, daily,
or weekly. While timing is important, it is not critical.

The application of ML to real-time air interface processes is more challenging but offers
potentially important, and perhaps transformational, efficiency gains and improvements to
the customer experience. Models trained centrally but run locally on the device are likely to
be the first applications. For example, it is possible to improve beamforming performance by
making better predictions about device mobility using on-device ML inference. Another
example may be rapid anomaly detection, leading to faster responses to security attacks.
Over time, more advanced applications may operate both at the device and base station.

ON-DEVICE LEARNING AND DISTRIBUTED AI/ML

Classically, AI is viewed as “intelligence” (datasets, learning modes, algorithms, etc.) hosted
in a centralized cloud. This is useful and has great ongoing potential. However, factors such
as privacy, reliability, latency, and power consumption are driving toward on-device and
edge AI/ML. When combined with connectivity, this is sometimes known as the “connected
intelligent edge.” For real-time processing in the 5G RAN or to support low latency 5G
applications, placing AI close to where millisecond and microsecond decisions are
implemented will be essential.

Toward distributed AI in 5G
On-device AI is also now widely deployed—for example, for image recognition,
computational photography, voice recognition, live captioning, real-time translation, and so
on. And in 5G radio, on-device AI is used to optimize radio performance via models
generated centrally and then embedded in modem firmware.

There are also moves to extend centralized, cloud-centric AI toward the edge to create
partially distributed learning models. Distributed AI and on-device AI development are
currently on quasi-independent development tracks. However, these are complementary
forces. Over the next few years, as 5G networks are built out, a new fully distributed AI
model could emerge. This will involve a careful partition of functionality between device and
edge cloud processes.

© HEAVY READING | AI/ML FOR THE 5G RAN AND RADIO INTERFACE | DECEMBER 2021 4
Figure 2 illustrates this trend and shows how AI can make 5G more powerful and how 5G
can make AI more powerful. An example application that leverages processing on the device
and in the edge cloud is “boundless XR,” which matches smartglasses and headsets with
limited battery capacity with high performance computation on the edge cloud.

Figure 2: Progression of AI being distributed from cloud to edge

Source: Qualcomm

Federated learning with on-device ML

In a 5G context, distributed AI will be paired with federated learning. Figure 3 shows the
evolution from centralized, offline learning (left) to on-device learning (center) and
federated learning (right). Federated learning takes advantage of wireless connectivity
(e.g., 4G and 5G) to integrate on-device and cloud processing. This allows devices to train
their own model using local training data based on a global model downloaded from the
edge cloud. The device can then upload a trained, updated version of the model to the
cloud. By using “federated averaging,” an improved global model that learns from many
distributed devices can be created. Transferring model weights rather than the raw data to
the cloud helps preserve privacy and reduce data transmission requirements.

Figure 3: On-device federated learning

Source: Qualcomm

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An example of how this could be useful in 5G is to respond to new radio conditions. Given
unpredictable and changing radio environments, it is not feasible to preload all possible
AI/ML models to a device at the time of manufacture, and it would be useful to be able to
update the model as new learnings become available.

AI-ENABLED 5G RADIO
There are two major categories of AI/ML in 5G RAN:

• Radio-aware applications
• RAN system performance applications

Both categories are likely to see rapid development as R&D work currently underway across
the industry is converted into practical applications.

Radio-aware applications
AI/ML is a useful tool to interpret the complex, changing RF signals that surround a user or
Internet of Things (IoT) device. Radio-aware applications use data obtained from the device
radio itself (i.e., signals transmitted and received by the modem) to infer a decision. In
these cases, data processing and inference are real-time and therefore must happen on the
device rather than at a nearby edge cloud location.

Figure 4 identifies three types of radio-aware functionality:

• Spectrum sensing and access: For example, by sensing load on an RF carrier, the
application can improve connectivity by selecting less loaded spectrum. In another
example, by predicting interference, AI/ML can identify how to adapt and improve
scheduling performance.
• Contextual awareness: For example, by using radio sensing to understand device
mobility and positioning, it is possible to improve connectivity and user experience.
An example might be in using mobility predictions to improve beam management in
massive MIMO and mmWave access networks.
• Environmental sensing: By measuring RF signal reflections, it is possible to
determine user proximity to objects and changes in the environment. These
techniques can be useful to detect anomalies, which in turn can be used, for
example, for security to detect malicious base stations, for personal safety (to detect
if a vulnerable person has fallen), or for enhanced location accuracy.

© HEAVY READING | AI/ML FOR THE 5G RAN AND RADIO INTERFACE | DECEMBER 2021 6
Figure 4: Radio-aware 5G AI/ML

Source: Qualcomm

RAN system performance applications

AI/ML can also be used to enhance the performance of the overall RAN system and can
bring continuous enhancement to the 5G RAN by optimizing device and gNB operation. A
near-term use of AI/ML is in network management.

Figure 5 shows some of the major ways the technology can help with RAN management
and optimization—these are similar to the daily/weekly and monthly/yearly time cycles
shown in Figure 1.

• Enhanced service quality: Refers to improving the end-user experience. For

example, using predictions to enhance mobility management could improve
handovers on highways or railways. In another example, by more accurately
identifying demand hotspots, capacity could be allocated according to demand.
• Network efficiency: There are many opportunities to use AI/ML to identify
opportunities for better resource utilization and to address congestion through
measures such as load balancing and optimized scheduling. Such measures should
generate better overall system performance, giving a greater number of users a
good service. This aligns closely with the emerging model for programmatic RAN
control being developed by the O-RAN Alliance RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC)
architecture.
• Simplified deployment: Network topology and planning where and what type of
equipment to install can benefit from AI/ML tools that match environmental factors
with demand models to optimize the performance of a service area.
• Improved network security: AI/ML is already widely used in IT and cloud security.
It can be effective in 5G RAN for analyzing large quantities of data to detect
anomalies across the air interface and threats that originate from the RAN and can
escalate to cause problems deeper in the network.

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Figure 5: Using AI/ML for network management

Source: Qualcomm

Network efficiency example: Enhanced CSF

A more advanced example of how ML can be used to improve network efficiency is
enhanced channel state feedback (CSF) in massive MIMO systems. Figure 6 shows the
output of a Qualcomm simulation of a city area served by a massive MIMO base station
where a soft encoder is used to enhance CSF. Relative to a Release 16 system, it shows that
ML-based CSF, leads to better downlink performance by a factor of 1.8x at the 95th
percentile (i.e., the cell edge), with uplink overhead reduced by a factor 0.7x. The next step
is to demonstrate these results in a real-world test network and then, if successful, develop
soft encoder CSF techniques further for possible inclusion in 5G-Advanced and 6G.

Figure 6: Enhanced 5G massive MIMO channel state feedback

Source: Qualcomm

© HEAVY READING | AI/ML FOR THE 5G RAN AND RADIO INTERFACE | DECEMBER 2021 8
TOWARD 5G-ADVANCED
AI/ML can bring continuous enhancement to the 5G RAN. This can be via improvements to
the existing network or via developments that are 3GPP release dependent. In 3GPP, there
has already been work in Release 16 on the use of AI/ML, most notably by extending
existing frameworks such as the network data and analytics function (NWDAF), the
minimization of drive testing (MDT), and SON to make use of these new techniques. In
Release 17, there are several technical studies underway that will help determine how
AI/ML is addressed in R18. Work on Release 18 is due to start in 2022.

Release 18 addresses the longer-term evolution of the 5G vision and is commonly known as
“5G-Advanced.” At the time of writing, the work plan for Release 18 is not finalized, but it
will include a wide range of enhancements to existing capabilities and introduce new
functionality. AI/ML is likely to be a major area of focus and is expected to cover two areas:

• Enhancements to the air interface

• Work on an overall AI/ML framework

Alongside 3GPP, there are several other initiatives that are focused on developing AI/ML for
mobile communications networks. Figure 7 summarizes the key activity across industry
organizations.

Figure 7: Industry initiatives on AI/ML for 5G

Organization Summary of AI/ML work

• Runs multiple programs on AI, including “AI for Good Summit”

• ITU-T Focus Group on Machine Learning for Future Networks
• AI/ML in 5G Challenge is focused on university advanced R&D projects
• Developing frameworks for ML data collection, modeling, and evaluation
• Evolution of analytics architectures (e.g., for NWDAF, SON, MDT)
• Studies on AI/ML for RAN in R17; for example:
o Study on AI/ML functional frameworks and use cases
o Study on AI/ML model transfer performance requirements over 5G
o Study on enhancement for Data Collection for NR and EN-DC
• Potential inclusion of AI/ML adaptations to air interface in R18 as part of
5G-Advanced
• O-RAN architecture for Radio Intelligent Controller (RIC) and interfaces
• Technical report on AI/ML Workflow Description and Requirement
• O-RAN software community to develop ML-based XApps and rApps
• Published AI Mobile Device Requirement Spec (TS.47)
• To help the industry to design, develop, and test AI-enabled devices
• Current focus is on phones/tablets; may extend to IoT/wearables in future

• AI/ML is integral to the organization’s three major work programs covering

disaggregation, green future networks, and 6G
• Key role in the ODiN (Operating Disaggregated Networks) program
Source: Heavy Reading

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CONCLUSION: AI/ML IN 5G AND BEYOND
AI/ML is evolving rapidly. It is clear that the mobile industry must take advantage of this
technology and apply it to the mobile network architecture from the core to the RAN, to the
radio interface, and to the end-user device itself.

The first place AI/ML is making an impact in 5G is in centralized, offline learning for network
planning and operation. There are already examples of the positive impact of the technology
and a roadmap for ML to further enhance the 5G network architecture and help enable
advanced services such as network slicing, edge, and industrial IoT.

Federated learning models that leverage 5G connectivity, on-device learning and inference,
and cloud processing offer the next major step forward. These techniques take AI/ML closer
to the real-time processing needed for air interface optimization and superior end-user
experience. Device-based learning similarly can enhance 5G—for example, in XR services or
Industrial IoT. Federated learning and on-device inference are already in development and
will continue to evolve through the 5G-Advanced timeframe.

In the 6G timeframe, the opportunities for AI are immense. With the development of AI-
specific silicon, what is barely possible in the lab today may rapidly become deployable
technology. The prospect of an adaptive, AI-native air interface, for example, could
generate a radically simpler radio that generates unprecedented gains in efficiency and
performance.

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