Universal Software Key to Unlock All Waveforms
Cohere’s software-based solution significantly improves spectrum and capacity for 4G and 5G.
The pioneering work in the Delay-Doppler domain enables robust channel estimation and accurate channel prediction into the future. It alleviates handset feedback requirements by leveraging geometric reciprocity and reduces computation complexity through concise channel representation. All of these features combine to deliver significant spectrum multiplier effect for 4G and 5G networks in both FDD and TDD.
Cohere’s software-based Universal Spectrum Multiplier (USM) solution offers SU and MU-MIMO benefits to any network — with no changes to existing handsets, antennas and can integrate with existing base stations. The Cohere solution works in all available spectrum, and is trial-proven to solve congestion for low and mid bands. Moreover, it allows 4G and 5G co-existence with USM benefits — without penalizing 5G performance.
The Delay-Doppler channel representation is predictable into the future given that its geometric nature is slow changing. This allows disaggregation of functions which enables Cloud RAN. Cloud RAN creates the foundation for improving cell edge performance via intercell coordination (CoMP).
The aggregated signal energy results in a coherent reconstruction of the transmitted signal at the receiver, which contributes to a stable, reliable and consistent behavior of the connection.
Cohere Makes Use of Delay-Doppler to Translate Time Frequency to Enable MU-MIMO for FDD & TDD Spectrum
Cohere uses existing Handsets utilizing UL reference Signals and DL CQI to Accurately Determine & Predict Channels Between Transmitters & Receivers
- Cohere channel estimation reveals all dominant reflectors which resolves MU-MIMO challenges
- Software enables fully isolated, multiple beams – without the need for explicit UE feedback
- By slowing down channel aging, the result is more predictable channels, improved spectrum reuse, performance and capacity
This innovation reduces USM MU-MIMO deployment, in many cases, to a software update instead of a major project involving antenna replacement.
Positive sustainability impact by re-using millions of existing antennas instead of inserting them into e-waste stream.
See what Stéphane Téral, Chief Analyst, LightCounting has to say about DNA.
Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier (USM) Software Platform
Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier software platform improves the strength and efficiency of any generation (“any G”) mobile network. Cohere’s 3GPP standard-compliant and scalable software addresses the astronomical cost of acquiring new spectrum by enabling mobile network operators (MNOs) to improve the capacity, and increase the value, of all networks. Universal Spectrum Multiplier software, leveraging years of Cohere’s experience in advanced networking hardware development.
Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier platform for the Radio Access Network (RAN) and Telco Cloud delivers on the promise of 5G by extending a mobile network’s spectral efficiency by as much as 2x, meaning a 5G user experience can be quickly and easily provided to end-users on all networks.
Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier software can be integrated by network equipment suppliers in the RAN, or as an xApp in the Telco Cloud. Cohere’s platform has been engineered to overcome the challenges that exist in conventional methods, including: reference signal contamination (intercell interference); channel state information aging; stability under mobility and other channel dynamics; higher number of layers per antenna configuration; computational complexity; and the requirement for explicit device feedback. Cohere is the first company to solve the issue of channel state information aging, and overcome the latency challenges of moving critical intelligence from the RAN to cloud.
The capabilities of Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier have been demonstrated and verified via numerous licensed spectrum network tests and scalability simulations with leading mobile network operators. Cohere first showcased its advantages in Feb. 2020 at Deutsche Telekom’s Headquarters in Bonn (Germany), as part of a public O-RAN showcase. Cohere showed a 2x spectrum and capacity multiplier effect for mobile devices connected to the commercial spectrum, with no changes to the devices, radios or antennas. Since then, Cohere has evolved its software to provide the same benefits for 5G.
In June 2021, Vodafone announced the results of a 5G Open RAN lab trial leveraging a SW solution from Cohere Technologies in partnership with Intel, VMware and CapGemini Engineering. Collectively, the technology partners demonstrated an end to end, multi-vendor, open platform and achieved “2X spectral efficiency” using Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier capability.
Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier platform can be integrated within the Radio Access Network (RAN) Distributed Unit (DU), the Central Unit (CU), or as an xApp in the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) within a telco cloud or O-RAN, without any changes to handsets, radios or antennas. The software works in any band, with any waveform, on any silicon platform.
Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier xApp is proven on VMware’s industry-leading Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC) telco cloud platform and leverages Intel’s FlexRAN reference architecture.
Dynamic Network Alignment (DNA)
DNA is a zero touch process in the USM xApp that manages the alignment of the base station’s whole technology. This is a non-disruptive calibration process compared to other methods, which usually need to interrupt traffic in order to calibrate.
DNA software the barriers to entry in adoption of the USM by reducing the complexity of adding an xApp to the base station. It accelerates rollout projects by enabling the use of existing antenna equipment and extends the life of the investment in existing infrastructure.
For mobile operators moving to 5G and leveraging their existing 4G antennas, DNA represents the opportunity to modernize by adding network capacity via MU-MIMO Spatial Multiplexing and still realize business value from legacy 4G investments. In markets where ARPU is flat or in decline relative to network consumption, operators can utilize DNA as part of the USM xApp to deliver significantly improved quality of service.
Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier software doubles both 4G and 5G spectrum performance. Cohere enables a graceful transition from 4G to 5G by facilitating full performance spectrum sharing that will improve ROI and ease 4G to 5G migration. Cohere’s patented Delay-Doppler channel detection method facilitates orthogonal beam management which leads to breakthrough MU-MIMO performance in both FDD and TDD spectrum, using the same time and frequency resources. The Delay-Doppler channel engine is waveform independent, thus facilitating multiple dissimilar waveforms to operate in the same spectrum band. The outcome is improved performance and maximized value of all spectrum assets.
