--- title: "AI-RAN and 6G: Frontier labs | Nexus Observatory" description: "AI-RAN and 6G, inside Frontier labs: 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/labs/ai-ran-and-6g/ publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc. updated: 2026-10-29 --- [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/) / [Frontier labs](https://observatory.global/labs/) / **AI-RAN and 6G** # Sensing and communication on shared compute. AI-RAN and 6G, inside Frontier labs: 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**: 7 **Protocol functions**: 3 of 8 **Industries served**: 3 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. The radio access network from site to spectrum: macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters, massive MIMO, NR bands and TDD synchronisation, NR features such as RedCap, positioning and sidelink, private and shared networks, Wi-Fi coexistence, 6G and ISAC, and the planning and assurance that keep it working. 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 **Frontier** · 5G and 6G radio access networks ### IMT-2030 framework The ITU vision for 6G: usage scenarios, capabilities and timelines that shape the next decade of networks. We design and support. Rec. ITU-R M.2160 **Frontier** · 5G and 6G radio access networks ### 3GPP 6G studies Release 20 studies defining 6G use cases, requirements and radio and system design. We design and support. 3GPP TR 22.870 (6G use cases and service requirements) **02** Architecture ## Where it sits, and what it speaks. AI-RAN and 6G draws on 4 domains and 32 layers of the spectrum; the highlighted layers carry this area. It speaks 3 of the protocol's 8 core functions. Edge inference, model serving and optimisation 10 Foundation models for Earth observation and geospatial 9 Time-series and sensor AI 8 Multimodal fusion and agentic operations 7 Federated and privacy-preserving learning 7 Physical AI and robotics (within red lines) 7 MLOps 7 Evaluation, model risk and AI governance 10 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, filtered to the space domain this area serves. 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 and 6G. [Defence-adjacent (civil dual-use) Research and development route through the defence science programmeA science-and-technology programme on all-domain situational awareness.](https://observatory.global/sectors/defence-adjacent/) [Government and public safety National GBON surface and upper-air networkWMO-grade stations reporting through WIS 2.0, funded through the systematic-observations financing pathway.](https://observatory.global/sectors/public-safety/) [Government and public safety Wildfire camera network and fire-weather stationsCamera towers with edge inference and co-located fire-weather stations, utility- or agency-funded.](https://observatory.global/sectors/public-safety/) [Government and public safety Urban street-flood sensor networkOpen-hardware depth sensors with open data and alerts to emergency management.](https://observatory.global/sectors/public-safety/) [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/) **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 - Benchmark methods - Pilot reports, published either way Enterprise, on this site - Research pilots - Prototype engineering **06** The rest of the line ## Frontier labs, area by area. [Frontier labs PilotsNew technology, a real site, a written plan.](https://observatory.global/labs/pilots/) [Frontier labs BenchmarksOpen data, one method, comparable results.](https://observatory.global/labs/benchmarks/) [Frontier labs Space and NTNDirect-to-device and new payloads, tested.](https://observatory.global/labs/space-and-ntn/) [Frontier labs Physical AIDrones and robots, inside published red lines.](https://observatory.global/labs/physical-ai/) [Frontier labs Into the productFrom a result to a qualified release.](https://observatory.global/labs/into-the-product/) ## Bring us the site. Survey, design, deployment and operation for AI-RAN and 6G. The form names who receives your details. [Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) [contact@observatory.global](mailto:contact@observatory.global?subject=Frontier%20labs%3A%20AI-RAN%20and%206G) [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)**Frontier labs** . The frontier, taken into the field.[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) Frontier labs - [Pilots](https://observatory.global/labs/pilots/) - [Benchmarks](https://observatory.global/labs/benchmarks/) - [AI-RAN and 6G](https://observatory.global/labs/ai-ran-and-6g/) - [Space and NTN](https://observatory.global/labs/space-and-ntn/) - [Physical AI](https://observatory.global/labs/physical-ai/) - [Into the product](https://observatory.global/labs/into-the-product/) Technologies - [Edge inference, model serving and optimisation](https://observatory.global/technologies/ai/edge-inference-model-serving-and-optimisation/) - [Foundation models for Earth observation and geospatial](https://observatory.global/technologies/ai/foundation-models-for-earth-observation-and-geospatial/) - [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/) - [Orbits and constellations](https://observatory.global/technologies/satellite/orbits-and-constellations/) - [Spacecraft buses and platforms](https://observatory.global/technologies/satellite/spacecraft-buses-and-platforms/) - [Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters](https://observatory.global/technologies/ran/macro-small-cells-das-and-repeaters/) Industries - [Climate](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/) - [Research](https://observatory.global/industries/research/) - [Education](https://observatory.global/industries/education/) 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/) - [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/) - [Edge compute & AI](https://observatory.global/edge-ai/) © 2026 Nexus Observatory Inc. 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