Intel launches unmatched portfolio for 5G network infrastructure

Intel took a massive lead in network transformation by announcing a sweeping set of hardware and software products for 5G networks. The highlight: the new Intel Atom P5900, a 10nm System-on-Chip (SoC) for typical wireless base stations.

Navin Shenoy, GM and executive VP of the Data Platforms Group at Intel Corporation, displays the Intel Atom P5900. The highly integrated 10nm system-on-chip is designed for critical 5G network needs.

“As the industry makes the transition to 5G, we continue to see network infrastructure as the most significant opportunity, representing a $25 billion silicon opportunity by 2023,” said Navin Shenoy, GM and executive VP with Intel’s Data platforms Group. “By offering customers the fastest and most effective path to design, deliver and deploy 5G solutions across core, edge and access, we are poised to expand our leading silicon position in this growing market.”

A new product portfolio…
● Intel Atom P5900 Platform: The introduction of this new 10nm SoC for wireless base stations helps Intel architecture step toward the farthest edge of 5G network. It also helps Intel realize its plan to become the biggest silicon provider in base stations by next year. Intel Atom P5900 is a highly integrated 10nm SoC that caters all critical 5G network requirements, including low latency and high bandwidth. It is compatible with all present-day wireless base stations as well as their future versions.

Moreover, P5900 further extends Intel’s extensive portfolio of silicon rich products for network environments. It works significantly well in favor of Intel’s goal to deploy six million 5G base stations by 2024. The company is working with market leaders to deliver this product as part of their differentiated solutions in future.

● 2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processor: This specific product is currently the leading transformational force for the 5G network. Its sales figures have already crossed 30 million units. Currently, 50% of the core network deployments are changing to virtualized networks and it’s expected that 5G will push this transformation by 80 percent come 2024.

The latest 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors promise to improve performance by 36 percent, with a 42 percent improved performance on per dollar²on an average against the previous Intel Xeon Gold. It ensures better value for customers across network, edge, and cloud requirements. Also, the Intel Xeon Scalable is equipped with hardware-enhanced security features and built-in encryption accelerators that further secure the integrity of the platform and the data. In conjunction.

Intel also came up with 18 updated “Select Solutions” that support these new processors across all customer-prioritized workloads.

● Diamond Mesa — Intel’s First Next-Generation Structured ASIC for 5G Network Acceleration: Intel created Diamond Mesa to complement its unique portfolio of FPGAs and processors that deliver low latency and high performance for 5G networks. Structured ASICs offers a minimum-risk optimization path for workloads that doesn’t require FPGA programming. It’s also capable of targeting double performance efficiency as compared to the previous generation while positioning Intel as the sole provider of full silicon platform foundation for network infrastructure. The product is now available for early access customers.

● Intel Ethernet 700 Series Network Adapter: Code-named as Edgewater Channel, the Ethernet 700 Series is one of Intel’s first network adapter optimized for 5G network. It provides GPS based cross-network service synchronization with hardware-enhanced Precision Time Protocol (PTP). The existing Ethernet technology, specifically in edge servers, gets challenged by latency requirements poised by 5G network implementations. Application latency is one of the crucial issues that can be addressed through accurate time synchronization maintenance at a cost-effective level.

The Ethernet 700 series adapter enhances the timing precision needed by 5G networks through a combination of software and hardware enhancements. Edgewater Channel is available for sampling now and it will go under production by second quarter of 2020.

Software investments
Intel is expanding its computing software toolkits that narrow down the time-to-market innovation for its customers. The company is also collaborating with several partners who have new capabilities integrated into the OpenNESS (Open Network Edge Services Software) toolkit.

OpenNESS backs standalone 5GNR as well as EPA (Enhanced Platform Awareness) deployments. Intel is now offering customized OpenNESS experience kits that accelerate custom 5G deployments. Also, OpenNESS complements both Intel’s Open Visual Cloud and OpenVINO for all needs related to edge computing development.