INDUSTRIAL

The arrival of 5G has captured the attention of industries worldwide, unlocking new possibilities for high-speed connectivity at a massive scale. In sectors like manufacturing and smart cities, for example, 5G enables far-flung facilities to be networked into a unified whole, enabling unprecedented visibility and responsiveness.

But many applications have needs that public 5G networks cannot meet. This is where private 5G networks step into the spotlight. “There is a pressing need for customized infrastructure to fully leverage the capabilities of 5G,” explains Zeljko Loncaric, Market Segment Manager of Infrastructure at congatec, an embedded computer boards and modules provider, pointing out security, real-time reliability, and network flexibility as some of the key requirements.

This growing demand for tailored solutions and the adoption of private 5G networks come at a perfect time, coinciding with the emergence of open standards like OpenRAN. This shift presents a unique opportunity for telecommunications equipment manufacturers (TEMs), who are no longer constrained by markets dominated by a few major players. Instead, OpenRAN’s open interfaces and standards promote vendor diversity—an important strategic focus for TEMs, Loncaric notes.

Opening Up New Possibilities for OpenRAN

Historically, to build 5G solutions that leverage OpenRAN capabilities, TEMs have several hurdles they must overcome. Specifically:

• Integrating components from various sources while keeping performance high and costs low.
• Ensuring robust security. This is a particularly pressing concern for TEMs targeting private 5G networks, which often host high-value data.
• Designing equipment for harsh environments. (The limited range of 5G radios means that equipment is often deployed deep into the field.)
• Ensuring solutions can scale effectively to meet the demands of diverse deployments.

“There is a pressing need for customized infrastructure to fully leverage the capabilities of #5G.” – Zeljko Loncaric, @congatecAG via @insightdottech

That’s why congatec developed a solution to provide TEMs with a faster path to market. The conga-HPC/sILH platform is designed to pre-integrate the most complex system elements. The solution includes a backhaul connection to the core network, two RF antenna modules, an Intel^® Xeon^® D processor, a secure Forward Error Correction (FEC) accelerator, and the full FlexRAN software stack.

According to Loncaric, the technology package is suitable for all types of 5G radio access network configurations. With conga-HPC/sILH, TEMs can focus on their core competencies and keep their specific IP in-house, delivering 5G OpenRAN servers with high levels of trust and design security.

The Role of COM-HPC in Building Robust 5G Infrastructure

The heart of the platform is the COM-HPC Server Size D module, which features an Intel Xeon D processor. This combination offers the performance, efficiency, and security features needed for 5G applications. Notably, selected modules support extreme temperature ranges from -40°C to 85°C, enabling OpenRAN servers to be deployed beyond the confines of air-conditioned server rooms.

The modules plug into Intel’s platform carrier board, which provides a robust and flexible foundation for developing 5G infrastructure. For instance, it supports a wide range of interfaces and acceleration technologies, helping TEMs to streamline the design process.

“The carrier board is a highly flexible reference platform that demonstrates the effectiveness of our offering and provides significant support for TEMs. Combined with our COM-HPC Server module, it enables rapid custom builds that require connections and interfaces not typically found in a RAN server,” says Loncaric.

Enabling Security and Flexibility in Private 5G Networks

To overcome the security concerns of 5G, the platform includes Intel^® Software Guard Extensions, which enable secure channel setup and communication between 5G control functions. Built-in crypto acceleration reduces the performance impact of full data encryption and enhances the performance of encryption-intensive workloads.

For precise timing, the platform incorporates Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) and a Digital Phase-Locked Loop (DPLL) oscillator. These technologies are crucial for synchronizing nodes with the 5G infrastructure.

Together, these technologies allow TEMs to significantly reduce their design effort and accelerate time-to-market. The modular nature of the solution also optimizes ROI and sustainability, as systems can be easily scaled and upgraded with a simple module swap. According to Loncaric, this approach can reduce upgrade costs by up to 50% compared to a full system replacement.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Private 5G Networks and OpenRAN

congatec attributes the success of its platform to its partnership with Intel.

“Telecommunications is a really hard market to access—up until around ten years ago, it was more or less impossible,” Loncaric explains. “By partnering with Intel and through initiatives like the O-RAN Alliance, we were able to enter it step by step. Since then, we’ve released several new standards—the latest, based on Intel Xeon D, is a good fit for several niche applications such as campus networks and industrial environments.”

Looking to the future, congatec plans to develop more solutions that will provide TEMs even higher performance. Beyond that, the company intends to continue its focus on open standards and edge computing expertise.

“We believe our commitment to open standards and our extensive experience in edge computing and industrial applications positions us as a key player in 5G technology across multiple market segments. Through continuous innovation and collaboration with industry-leading partners like Intel, we aim to drive the development of next-generation communication networks, ensuring they continue to meet the evolving needs of modern applications,” says Loncaric.

As the 5G market continues to evolve, solutions like the conga-HPC/sILH COM-HPC platform will play a crucial role in enabling TEMs to meet the diverse and rapidly changing demands of 5G OpenRAN deployments. By providing a flexible, integrated, and powerful foundation, this platform empowers TEMs to innovate faster and deliver the next generation of 5G infrastructure.

This article was edited by Christina Cardoza, Editorial Director for insight.tech.