Universal Software Key to Unlock All Waveforms
Cohere’s software-based USM solution significantly improves spectrum and capacity for 4G and 5G
Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier (USM) software platform improves the strength and efficiency of any generation (“any G”) mobile network. The USM is 3GPP standards-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. The software leverages years of Cohere’s experience in advanced networking hardware development and 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, in Tier-1 trials on three continents, has delivered significant spectrum multiplier effects for 4G & 5G networks in both FDD and TDD, and is ideally positioned to solve congestion in the most valuable FDD 4G & 5G low- and mid-bands.
Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier platform for the Radio Access Network (RAN) 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.
The USM software can be integrated by network equipment suppliers in both traditional or Open RAN base stations either as a standalone App or xApp operating on a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC). The USM 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 February 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. Subsequently, Cohere evolved the USM to provide the same benefits for 5G.
- Vodafone announced, June 2021, the results of a 5G Open RAN lab trial leveraging a SW solution from Cohere Technologies in partnership with Intel, VMware and CapGemini Engineering.
- Vodafone announced, February 2024, the results of a follow-on 5G Open RAN dense urban field trial leveraging the USM and Cohere’s trial grade 5G base station. This dense urban trial measured up to 1.5x spectral efficiency in mostly NLOS dense urban terrain in a typical European1.5 city.
- Bell Canada announced, February 2025, the industry’s first successful network field test of software-driven capacity improvement using coordinated scheduling with existing network, without making changes to existing radios or antennas.
Collectively, the technology partners have demonstrated an end to end, multi-vendor, open platform and achieved 2X spectral efficiency in controlled lab trials and up to 1.5x spectral efficiency in real-world outdoor trials.
Cohere’s Universal Spectrum Multiplier platform can be integrated within the Radio Access Network (RAN) Distributed Unit (DU), the Central Unit (CU), an externally hosted App or as an Open RAN xApp in the RIC, without any changes to handsets, radios or antennas. The software works in any band, with any waveform, on any silicon platform.
Cohere’s Software-Based USM 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. The Delay-Doppler channel representation is predictable into the future given that its geometric nature is slow changing.
The USM software uses the geometric reciprocity of the Delay-Doppler model to increase both 4G and 5G spectrum performance. The 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 making it possible for multiple dissimilar waveforms to operate in the same spectrum band via spatial multiplexing. The outcome is improved performance and maximized value of all spectrum assets.
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, Founder & Chief Analyst of Téral Research has to say about DNA.
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.
