Compact 5G Base Station Validated on Embedded x86 Platform

SolidRun and Amarisoft have collaborated to showcase a groundbreaking achievement in the realm of telecommunications technology. Together, they have successfully demonstrated a full 4G/5G base station that operates entirely on an embedded x86 platform. This innovative solution is built on SolidRun’s AMD Ryzen Embedded V3000-based COM Express module and HoneyComb carrier board, enabling it to run Amarisoft’s complete software-defined radio stack without the need for external accelerators or GPUs.

For readers of eeNews Europe who are involved in designing private networks, tactical communications systems, or embedded telecom infrastructure, this development presents an exciting alternative to traditional server-based base stations. Particularly in environments where power or space is limited, this solution could offer a practical and efficient option for deploying advanced telecommunications capabilities.

Embedded platform supports full 4G/5G stack with MIMO

The validated solution is capable of running both gNB and 5GC functions, providing carrier-grade capabilities from a compact and power-efficient platform. With support for 100 MHz bandwidth and 4T4R MIMO, the solution utilizes the general-purpose x86 processing power of the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3000. This represents a significant shift in the deployment of 5G infrastructure, especially at the edge or in mobile and temporary networks.

Dr. Atai Ziv, CEO at SolidRun, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Running the full Amarisoft 5G stack on our AMD Ryzen V3000 equipped COM demonstrates that compact x86 systems can now meet the demanding requirements of modern 5G networks. This development is a crucial step towards making carrier-grade base station solutions more accessible and cost-effective for OEMs, private networks, and tactical operators.”

The platform is designed to cater to a variety of use cases, including private LTE/5G networks, field-deployable tactical systems, broadcast uplinks, and 5G network testbeds. Its compact size and optimized thermal profile make it ideal for installations where traditional rackmount infrastructure may not be feasible.

Platform maturity signals growing role for embedded x86 in telecom

Neda Nikaein, VP of product and operations at Amarisoft, emphasized the significance of the validation, stating that it “showcases a powerful path forward in delivering high-performance, deployable telecom systems without compromising on energy efficiency.” Both companies view this solution as a potential cornerstone for more modular and scalable 5G architectures in the future.

At the heart of the system lies the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3000 processor, offering up to 8 cores and 16 threads of processing power. The HoneyComb carrier board provides essential I/O and system integration features required for telecom-grade deployment. David Burns from AMD highlighted the impact of the Ryzen Embedded V3000, stating, “Seeing this processor power a full 5G base station underscores AMD’s commitment to driving compact, high-performance solutions in edge, private, and next-gen telecom markets.”

SolidRun recently presented the platform at AMD’s Adaptive & Embedded Computing Tech Day in Bengaluru, where the collaboration was featured as part of a broader initiative towards virtualized and modular network infrastructure. This demonstration not only showcases the capabilities of embedded x86 platforms in the telecom sector but also signals a promising future for the evolution of 5G technology and network deployments.