Executive Summary

The Nokia AirScale 5G21 is a cutting-edge networking solution designed to provide efficient and scalable mobile network coverage and capacity for all radio access technologies. With its common Single RAN hardware, software, management, and services, the AirScale radio access portfolio offers a future-proof solution for 5G networks. Powered by Nokia's unique ReefShark System on Chip (SoC) technology, the AirScale portfolio raises the bar in performance and energy efficiency.

The AirScale System Module's in-node modularity is key to lean entry and decouples scalability of the compute power for radio access network layers 1, 2, and 3, and integrated transport functionality. This modularity is essential for the rapidly changing traffic requirements of new use cases and deployment scenarios of the 5G era. With its compact form factor, the AirScale portfolio of macro remote radio heads (RRH) offers extended coverage, high performance, and efficiency, enabling flexible and efficient 5G radio deployments with a smaller site footprint.

Architecture & Design

The Nokia AirScale 5G21 is built around a modular, multi-band architecture designed for flexibility, scalability, and longevity. It supports all generations of radio technology, making it ideal for operators managing mixed or evolving network environments. The AirScale System Module's architecture is based on a modular design, allowing for easy upgrades and maintenance. The module's compact form factor enables flexible and efficient deployment, reducing the site footprint and minimizing the environmental impact.

The AirScale radio access portfolio is powered by Nokia's unique ReefShark System on Chip (SoC) technology, which provides a significant boost in performance and energy efficiency. The ReefShark SoC is designed to support the demanding requirements of 5G networks, including massive MIMO, beamforming, and edge computing. The SoC's advanced architecture and design enable the AirScale portfolio to deliver high-capacity and low-latency performance, making it an ideal solution for 5G networks.

The AirScale portfolio also features a range of remote radio heads (RRH) and massive MIMO antennas, which provide extended coverage, high performance, and efficiency. The RRHs are designed to be compact and lightweight, making them easy to deploy and maintain. The massive MIMO antennas are designed to provide high-capacity and low-latency performance, making them ideal for 5G networks.

Performance & Thermal

The Nokia AirScale 5G21 is designed to deliver high-capacity and low-latency performance, making it an ideal solution for 5G networks. The AirScale portfolio's performance is powered by Nokia's unique ReefShark System on Chip (SoC) technology, which provides a significant boost in performance and energy efficiency. The SoC's advanced architecture and design enable the AirScale portfolio to deliver high-capacity and low-latency performance, making it an ideal solution for 5G networks.

The AirScale portfolio's thermal solution is designed to provide efficient cooling and minimize the environmental impact. The portfolio's compact form factor and modular design enable easy deployment and maintenance, reducing the site footprint and minimizing the environmental impact. Exact figures for the thermal design power (TDP) were not publicly disclosed.

The AirScale portfolio's performance has been validated by various tests and trials, including a proof of concept conducted by Nokia and VIAVI. The test validated the over-the-air performance of the Nokia Massive MIMO radio in the upper 6 GHz band under real-world conditions, further validating its capability to support development and deployment of 5G-Advanced and 6G networks.

Market Positioning

The Nokia AirScale 5G21 is positioned as a high-performance and efficient solution for 5G networks. The AirScale portfolio is designed to provide a future-proof solution for 5G networks, with its common Single RAN hardware, software, management, and services. The portfolio's modular design and compact form factor enable flexible and efficient deployment, reducing the site footprint and minimizing the environmental impact.

The target buyer for the Nokia AirScale 5G21 is likely to be mobile network operators and service providers looking to deploy 5G networks. The AirScale portfolio's high-performance and efficient design make it an ideal solution for operators looking to provide high-capacity and low-latency services to their customers.