The future of industry lies in 5G campus networks, yet the energy demand poses challenges for operators. Discover how innovative approaches and artificial intelligence contribute to making 5G campus networks more efficient and reducing energy costs.

5G campus networks are gaining increasing importance in the industry for their ability to provide flexibility in production and logistics. However, continuous energy supply is essential for reliable network availability. The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, in collaboration with four partners, is now leading the “5G-ECONET” project to address these challenges and enhance energy efficiency. The project particularly sees potential for energy savings in networks based on Open-RAN.

The project team initially analyzes the architecture and control of campus networks. Using AI-driven simulators, they explore various approaches to energy conservation and make precise predictions about network utilization and service quality. These insights inform the design of energy-efficient campus networks. Additionally, the project tests whether network elements can be selectively turned off without compromising service quality. Machine learning approaches are employed to automate the regulation of network operating parameters and adapt energy consumption to current requirements.

Running until December 2024, the project receives support from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport within the framework of the “Innovative Network Technologies” funding program. The Fraunhofer IIS leads the project, with partners including AiVader GmbH, exceeding solutions GmbH, Keysight Technologies Deutschland GmbH, and the Institute for Technical Informatics and Engineering Informatics at the Ilmenau University of Technology. This partnership combines diverse expertise for the successful execution of the project.