Mobile core network start-up Core Network Dynamics (CND) has announced plans to partner with silicon suppliers to embed its OpenEPC (EPC stands for Evolved Packet Core) multi-access core network software in ARM®-based SoCs (System-on-a-Chip), building portable, distributed mobile network solutions. CND has already signed a contract with an international OEM who is developing a portable, decentralised mobile network powered by an ARM-based SoC for the public safety communications sector and CND expects that field trials will start next year. CND is developing on 3GPP Release 13, which has MCPTT and eMBMS enhancements over Release 12.
CND believes this mesh network model can also be easily applied to other remote communications use cases including emergency services, oil and mining and construction, as well as for IIoT use cases requiring ultra-low latency private networks.
By integrating CND’s OpenEPC software with the radio access layer on ARM-based SoCs, the company says that a small cell effectively becomes a complete and portable mobile network that can be carried in a backpack or attached to a vehicle out in the field. Adding mesh connectivity with dynamic, multi-hub routing between multiple mobile EPCs creates a highly resilient swarm of fully functioning autonomous mobile networks – which CND says is ideal for public safety use cases.
In a press release, CND states that its decision to target the ARM ecosystem was an easy one as many small cell vendors are already partnering with ARM because of the chip designer’s cost-effective and high-density, efficient low-power SoCs.
Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO of Core Network Dynamics, said: “Signing our first contract with an OEM aiming to build an integrated communications solution for public safety is an important milestone – we are moving from concept to reality. We are seeing considerable interest from organisations wanting to use OpenEPC to create portable, mobile networks using small cells, meshed together for unparalleled resilience. For public safety use cases, ARM-powered distributed EPCs embedded in small cells that support dynamic reconfiguration of the mesh network with multi-hop routing for voice and data are going to be a game changer.”
OpenEPC is a complete and resource-efficient implementation of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), providing a core mobile network in software. OpenEPC can be used for both embedded deployments as well as carrier-grade NFV-based deployments scaling to millions of users. It is compatible with standard smartphones, tablets and laptops, providing a cost-effective option ideal for resource-constrained environments.
“The ARM ecosystem is delivering a range of workload-optimized, space and energy-efficient solutions for portable mobile network use cases, with the accelerated performance-per-watt and TCO advantages demanded by operators,” said Noel Hurley, vice president and general manager, Business Segments Group, ARM. “Working with leading-edge VNF solution providers like CND, coupled with hardened and optimised ARM-based NFVI open-source platforms, creates the value needed by the industry in transforming the future virtualised network cloud infrastructure.”
