--- title: "AI-RAN: Connectivity | Nexus Observatory" description: "AI-RAN, inside Connectivity: AI-for-RAN, AI-and-RAN (shared GPU for RAN and AI), AI-on-RAN (edge AI services on RAN sites)…" url: https://observatory.global/connectivity/ai-ran/ publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc. updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/) / [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/) / **AI-RAN** # RAN and inference on the same accelerators. AI-RAN, inside Connectivity: AI-for-RAN, AI-and-RAN (shared GPU for RAN and AI), AI-on-RAN (edge AI services on RAN sites), software-defined L1 on GPUs and more. Every item is traced to its specification, from AI-RAN Alliance AI-for-RAN working group to 3GPP TR 38.843, and runs on the open Observatory Protocol. [Plan with us](https://observatory.global/contact/) Architecture [The protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/specification/) **Technologies**: 9 **At the frontier**: 5 **Protocol functions**: 3 of 8 **Industries served**: 21 Reference design, drawn to scale · drag to turn · hover a part **01** What it is ## AI-RAN: shared accelerated infrastructure. Disaggregated, software-defined and AI-assisted radio access: the O-RAN architecture and its open interfaces, 7.2x fronthaul, RAN intelligent controllers with xApps and rApps, SMO and O-Cloud, accelerated L1, shared GPU infrastructure for RAN and AI, AI/ML in the 3GPP air interface, energy saving, and the test and integration work that makes multi-supplier RAN deployable. Each technology below carries what it is, what we do with it, and the standard it is drawn against. AI-RAN and Open RAN ### AI-for-RAN Using AI models to improve radio performance, spectral efficiency and operations. We design and integrate. AI-RAN Alliance AI-for-RAN working group · 3GPP TR 38.843 **Frontier** · AI-RAN and Open RAN ### AI-and-RAN (shared GPU for RAN and AI) Running the RAN and AI inference on the same accelerated servers, with RAN given priority when traffic needs it. We design, integrate, deploy and operate. AI-RAN Alliance AI-and-RAN working group · O-RAN WG6 AAL **Frontier** · AI-RAN and Open RAN ### AI-on-RAN (edge AI services on RAN sites) Hosting third-party and site AI applications on RAN compute close to users and sensors. We design, integrate, deploy and operate. AI-RAN Alliance AI-on-RAN working group · ETSI GS MEC 003 **Frontier** · AI-RAN and Open RAN ### Software-defined L1 on GPUs Running the full physical layer in software on GPUs instead of fixed-function hardware. We design and integrate. O-RAN WG6 AAL General Aspects and Principles **Frontier** · AI-RAN and Open RAN ### RAN-first workload scheduling Schedulers that protect RAN deadlines and lend idle accelerator time to AI jobs. We design, integrate and operate. O-RAN WG6 O2dms Interface Specification **Frontier** · AI-RAN and Open RAN ### Isolation between RAN and AI tenants Hardware and software isolation so AI tenants cannot affect RAN timing or reach RAN data. We design, integrate and operate. O-RAN WG11 security specifications · IETF RFC 9334 (remote attestation architecture) AI-RAN and Open RAN ### AI-RAN site power and cooling Power and thermal design for accelerated cell sites and hubs, measured against energy efficiency metrics. We design, deploy and maintain. ETSI ES 202 706-1 (BS energy efficiency) · ASHRAE TC 9.9 thermal guidelines AI-RAN and Open RAN ### O-RAN reference architecture The split of the RAN into O-RU, O-DU, O-CU, RICs, SMO and O-Cloud with defined open interfaces between them. We design and integrate. O-RAN WG1 Architecture Description AI-RAN and Open RAN ### O-RU (radio unit) The radio and low-PHY at the antenna, category A or B depending on where precoding runs. We integrate, deploy and maintain. O-RAN WG4 Control, User and Synchronization Plane Specification · O-RAN WG7 white-box hardware reference designs **02** Architecture ## Where it sits, and what it speaks. AI-RAN draws on 7 domains and 55 layers of the spectrum; the highlighted layers carry this area. It speaks 3 of the protocol's 8 core functions. Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters 9 Massive MIMO and beamforming 7 NR bands, duplexing and synchronisation 9 NR features: RedCap, positioning, sidelink and verticals 9 Private networks and RAN sharing 7 Wi-Fi coexistence and convergence 8 6G and integrated sensing and communication 7 RAN planning, optimisation and assurance 6 O-RAN architecture and open interfaces 7 Fronthaul (7.2x split) and transport 8 RAN intelligent controllers, xApps and rApps 8 SMO, O-Cloud and accelerated L1 8 AI-RAN: shared accelerated infrastructure 7 AI/ML in the air interface and network management 8 Energy saving and efficiency 6 Testing, integration and security 8 01**Join** Identity, attestation quote, signed policy. 02**Admit** Admitted for a stated scope, nothing wider. 03**Describe** What, where, how and by whom, with calibration. 04**Time** One clock across the grid, with its error bound. 05**Observe** Every value with quality and provenance. 06**Qualify** Tested against the specification, state on record. 07**Federate** Signed exchange across grids and trust domains. 08**Orchestrate** Software and configuration by signed plan. **03** On the grid ## Every site joins one observing grid. The open networks on the grid today, over real relief and the geodesic cells we count them into. A site built here enrols into the same grid. **04** In the field ## Where this runs, sector by sector. 6 deployment scenarios from the sector research that rely on AI-RAN. [Government and public safety Alerting integration with the Common Alerting Protocol and cell broadcastSoftware-heavy: sensor triggers feed an alert origination tool; the alert authority keeps every decision.](https://observatory.global/sectors/public-safety/) [Government and public safety Deployable communications and sensing for incident commandA cell on wheels with satellite backhaul, mesh telemetry and environment nodes at the incident base.](https://observatory.global/sectors/public-safety/) [Cities Municipal low-power radio or private 5G layerA city-wide connectivity layer as digital public infrastructure.](https://observatory.global/sectors/cities/) [Communities and rural Indigenous-owned community cellularUnused 800 MHz and 1900 MHz spectrum through an access-licensing framework with a priority window for Indigenous applicants.](https://observatory.global/sectors/communities/) [Communities and rural Last-mile fixed wireless with community anchor sensingSub-grantee partnerships where observatory nodes co-host at schools, clinics and fire halls.](https://observatory.global/sectors/communities/) [Communities and rural Rural and cross-border 5G corridors and smart communitiesCo-funded cross-border sections under European digital infrastructure calls.](https://observatory.global/sectors/communities/) **05** Open and enterprise ## Open by default. Enterprise by contract. The open counterpart lives on the main site for anyone to read and run. The enterprise service is designed, deployed and operated with you, under contract. Open, on the main site - Band tables and sources - Country guides - Coverage methods Enterprise, on this site - Private Wireless as a Service - AI-RAN deployment - Spectrum route support **06** The rest of the line ## Connectivity, area by area. [Connectivity Private 5GStandalone NPN: your core, your SIMs, your site.](https://observatory.global/connectivity/private-5g/) [Connectivity O-RANOpen fronthaul and RIC, many suppliers.](https://observatory.global/connectivity/o-ran/) [Connectivity Satellite and NTNLEO, GEO and 3GPP direct-to-device.](https://observatory.global/connectivity/satellite-and-ntn/) [Connectivity LPWAN and meshBattery sensors over kilometres.](https://observatory.global/connectivity/lpwan-and-mesh/) [Connectivity TimingPTP to G.8275.1, GNSS with holdover.](https://observatory.global/connectivity/timing/) [Connectivity SpectrumBands, licences and routes, by country.](https://observatory.global/connectivity/spectrum/) ## Bring us the site. Survey, design, deployment and operation for AI-RAN. The form names who receives your details. [Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) [contact@observatory.global](mailto:contact@observatory.global?subject=Connectivity%3A%20AI-RAN) [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)**Connectivity** . Private 5G, AI-RAN and orbit, on site.[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) Connectivity - [Private 5G](https://observatory.global/connectivity/private-5g/) - [AI-RAN](https://observatory.global/connectivity/ai-ran/) - [O-RAN](https://observatory.global/connectivity/o-ran/) - [Satellite and NTN](https://observatory.global/connectivity/satellite-and-ntn/) - [LPWAN and mesh](https://observatory.global/connectivity/lpwan-and-mesh/) - [Timing](https://observatory.global/connectivity/timing/) - [Spectrum](https://observatory.global/connectivity/spectrum/) Technologies - [Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters](https://observatory.global/technologies/ran/macro-small-cells-das-and-repeaters/) - [Massive MIMO and beamforming](https://observatory.global/technologies/ran/massive-mimo-and-beamforming/) - [O-RAN architecture and open interfaces](https://observatory.global/technologies/airan/o-ran-architecture-and-open-interfaces/) - [Fronthaul (7.2x split) and transport](https://observatory.global/technologies/airan/fronthaul-7-2x-split-and-transport/) - [5G core functions](https://observatory.global/technologies/core/5g-core-functions/) - [Network slicing, edge UPF and local breakout](https://observatory.global/technologies/core/network-slicing-edge-upf-and-local-breakout/) - [Orbits and constellations](https://observatory.global/technologies/satellite/orbits-and-constellations/) Industries - [Public safety](https://observatory.global/sectors/public-safety/) - [Government](https://observatory.global/industries/) - [Cities](https://observatory.global/sectors/cities/) - [Civil resilience](https://observatory.global/industries/) - [Communities](https://observatory.global/sectors/communities/) - [Humanitarian](https://observatory.global/sectors/humanitarian/) - [Climate](https://observatory.global/industries/) Service platforms - [Observatory Protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/) - [Protocol & Grid](https://observatory.global/grid-services/) - [Software](https://observatory.global/software/) - [Hardware & power](https://observatory.global/hardware/) - [Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/) - [Edge compute & AI](https://observatory.global/edge-ai/) - [Earth observation & GeoAI](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/) © 2026 Nexus Observatory Inc. 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