Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate on AI-powered 6G receiver

Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz collaborated on developing an AI-powered 6G radio receiver aimed at addressing coverage limitations inherent in 6G's higher-frequency spectrum. The receiver enhances uplink distance, facilitating network operators to extend 6G service over existing 5G infrastructures, thereby reducing deployment costs and accelerating the time to market.

This technology, developed by Nokia Bell Labs and tested with Rohde & Schwarz, will be showcased at the Brooklyn 6G Summit from November 5-7, 2025. The collaboration aims to leverage Machine Learning (ML) capabilities to identify and compensate for wireless signal distortion, significantly improving overall 6G uplink coverage.

During testing, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) receiver demonstrated uplink distance improvements ranging from 10% to 25% compared to existing technologies. The testing utilized an R&S SMW200A vector Signal Generator (SG) and an FSWX signal and spectrum analyzer to validate performance outcomes, emphasizing increased coverage, throughput, and power efficiency relevant to future network resource allocation.

Peter Vetter, President of Core Research at Nokia Bell Labs, stated, “By boosting the coverage of 6G receivers, AI technology will help us build 6G infrastructure over current 5G footprints.” Michael Fischlein, VP at Rohde & Schwarz, noted the historical context of their collaboration, highlighting the firm’s longstanding experience in test and measurement systems.