Wedoany.com Report-Dec.18, Emerson and Yonsei University have established a strategic research partnership focused on enhancing energy efficiency in future sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks.

The initiative involves creating a testbed for artificial intelligence applications to promote environmental sustainability in radio access networks through a technology known as AI-RAN.

Researchers at Yonsei University are applying machine learning models to optimize base station operations based on traffic volume, surrounding conditions, and usage patterns. This approach aims to lower power requirements while maintaining service quality, a key factor for practical 6G implementation.

Initial results indicate that these models may decrease base station energy usage by around 33% relative to existing radio frequency on/off methods, contributing to notable overall network savings. In the United States, cellular base stations currently consume approximately 21 million megawatt-hours of electricity each year, comparable to the annual usage of two million homes.

Emerson supports the project by supplying expertise in timing and synchronization, along with NI CompactRIO hardware for power monitoring and NI USRP software-defined radios. These components enable the testbed to link wireless performance metrics with live power consumption data, facilitating comprehensive evaluation and refinement of the AI models for optimal efficiency.

The testbed received its first public presentation at the 2025 IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM), highlighting preliminary outcomes and potential standards for energy-conscious wireless systems.

Dr. Chan-Byoung Chae, Underwood Distinguished Professor at Yonsei University said: This collaboration targets one of the telecom industry's most pressing challenges: reducing the energy consumption of radio access networks, which account for the majority of emissions in mobile infrastructure. Our lab has been working on AI-RAN technologies that enable real-time control of wireless base stations through AI inference and scheduling. Partnering with Emerson allows us to validate these algorithms in a real-world test environment and demonstrate tangible energy-saving performance. This collaboration bridges academic innovation and industrial test platforms, showing how AI can make next-generation networks both smarter and more sustainable.

René Nuessgen, Senior Director of Research and Development, Emerson Test and Measurement said: This collaboration reflects the wireless industry's shift toward smarter, more sustainable networks. By combining NI's innovative platform of test technologies with Yonsei University's deep expertise in machine learning, we're helping to define what 6G sustainability will look like in the next era of mobile network standards.

The partnership combines academic research strengths with industry testing capabilities to address rising energy demands in telecommunications. By integrating intelligent controls, the effort seeks practical solutions that balance high-performance connectivity with reduced operational impact.

As 6G standards evolve, such collaborations play a vital role in shaping technologies that support increasing data needs efficiently. The testbed provides a platform for ongoing experimentation, offering insights applicable to global network deployments.

This joint work demonstrates commitment to advancing wireless infrastructure that meets future requirements while prioritizing resource conservation. Continued development is expected to influence guidelines for environmentally considerate mobile systems worldwide.