The project aims to develop a 5G integrated backhaul and fronthaul transport network that enables a flexible and software-defined solution to networking in a multi-tenant and service-based environment.
“The 5G-Crosshaul project has delivered a novel transport network that provides overall resource optimization and brings the CAPEX and OPEX investments to a reasonable ROI range,” said Xavier Costa, head of 5G networks R&D and deputy general manager of the security & networking R&D division, NEC Laboratories Europe, and the technical manager of the project. “This project’s major innovation has set the stage to deliver on the huge increased available bandwidth and ultra-low-latency required by the fifth generation of network technologies.”
The 5G-Crosshaul solution was tested through 18 experiments using multiple technology components from the various partners. Trials were carried out at sites in Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona and Taiwan, and delivered sub-millisecond latency, tens of Gbps throughput, resulting in energy and cost savings of up to 70%.
“It has been truly an honour to oversee one of the most ambitious 5G transport network research and development efforts to date,” said Arturo Azcorra, director of IMDEA Networks, co-founder of 5TONIC, and project coordinator of 5G-Crosshaul. “The successful results of the 5G-Crosshaul project have advanced scientific knowledge and international standardisation of 5G systems, and ultimately contributed to an increase in Europe’s 5G global competitiveness.”
In addition to the completion of the 5G backhaul project, InterDigital also announced the appointment of Dr Henry Tirri as its new chief technology officer.
Prior to this appointment Tirri served as executive vice president and chief technology officer of Harman International Industries, in addition to more than a decade at Nokia where he held the positions of executive vice president and head of technologies business, chief technology officer, and senior vice president and head of the Nokia Research Center.
In his new role Tirri will lead the company’s technology vision and strategy, including the evolution of the company’s technology road map.
“Henry Tirri is a recognized visionary technologist, and a great addition to the InterDigital team as we broaden our technology footprint and as mobile technology enters an ever-widening array of new industry segments,” said William Merritt, president and CEO of InterDigital. “Henry’s broad experience and deep rooting in R&D are tremendous assets to the company at a time of unprecedented opportunity for InterDigital.”
