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CommScope, Meta collaboration will help operators ‘further disaggregate’ network elements

CommScope and Meta will develop a mMIMO reference design based on O-RAN Alliance interoperability specifications

CommScope and Meta Connectivity are collaborating on flexible and open reference designs to accelerate the adoption of Open RAN. Working alongside a network of industry ecosystem companies in the Evenstar program, the pair will develop a Massive MIMO (mMIMO) reference design based on O-RAN Alliance interoperability specifications, focusing on high-level architectural requirements, open standardized antenna and radio interfaces and best practice calibration designs.

CommScope said in a statement that the mMIMO reference design will “provide operators with the option to further disaggregate the filter/antenna elements from the radio unit, supporting flexibility and delivering implementation options to the market.”

Because Massive MIMO substantially increases spectral efficiency to deliver more network capacity and wider coverage, it is considered critical for delivering the true promise of 5G and is one powerful way to address the increasing demand for data.

Within the partnership, CommScope will handle the creation and Over-the-Air (OTA) testing for open interface reference designs for Massive MIMO antennas and filter panels, while Meta will work with control unit (CU) and distribution unit (DU) software vendors who will manage interoperability testing.

“CommScope is thrilled to be joining Meta Connectivity’s global Evenstar ecosystem,” said Farid Firouzbakht, senior vice president of Outdoor Wireless Networks, CommScope. “Open RAN is gaining momentum in the marketplace and mMIMO 5G deployments will require cooperation and collaboration between vendors based on competitive reference models.”

The Evenstar program was announced two years ago as part of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), an initiative co-founded by Facebook (now Meta). Evenstar’s goal is to develop general purpose Open RAN reference designs, as well as design and build open RAN radios.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Catherine is the Managing Editor for RCR Wireless News and Enterprise IoT Insights, where she covers topics such as Wi-Fi, network infrastructure and edge computing. She also hosts Arden Media's podcast Well, technically... After studying English and Film & Media Studies at The University of Rochester, she moved to Madison, WI. Having already lived on both coasts, she thought she’d give the middle a try. So far, she likes it very much.