Rohde & Schwarz and NVIDIA are taking another big step forward in shaping the future of AI-powered radio access networks (AI-RAN) for 5G-Advanced and 6G. At MWC Barcelona 2026, the two companies will unveil their latest collaborative innovation a highly advanced testbed that brings digital twin-based, hardware-in-the-loop testing into the lab.
The new setup combines Rohde & Schwarz’s ray-tracing-based, site-specific channel emulation with the NVIDIA Sionna Research Kit, creating a realistic, software-defined testing environment for next-generation wireless systems.
It marks a significant leap from earlier proof-of-concepts in AI-driven receiver design, moving from basic link-level studies to full system-level verification using the complete 5G NR protocol stack.
At the heart of the demo is a single NVIDIA DGX Spark, running the software-defined 5G RAN via OpenAirInterface and handling AI inference tasks that meet the real-time demands of wireless communication.
To highlight the platform’s flexibility, the teams have integrated an AI/ML-enhanced link adaptation algorithm that intelligently adjusts the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) in real time. This adaptive approach continuously optimizes spectral efficiency and link reliability by learning both site-specific propagation characteristics and unique user equipment behavior.
The Rohde & Schwarz and NVIDIA testbed also connects the R&S SMW200A vector signal generator equipped with dynamic channel emulation with the R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyzer.
Together, they replicate complex, site-specific RF environments and interface seamlessly with NVIDIA’s differentiable ray-tracing engine, Sionna RT.
This closed-loop system allows developers to test and validate AI-driven RAN innovations under highly realistic and variable radio conditions , all without leaving the lab.
Visitors to MWC Barcelona 2026 can see this breakthrough in action at the Rohde & Schwarz booth (5A80, Hall 5) from March 2 to 5, where experts from both Rohde & Schwarz and NVIDIA will be on hand to discuss how AI is transforming the future of wireless system testing and design.
Leadership Comments
Gerald Tietscher, Vice President Signal Generators, Power Supplies and Meters at Rohde & Schwarz, said: “We’re excited to continue our ongoing collaboration with NVIDIA with this latest proof-of-concept for testing AI-enhanced base stations for both 5G-
Advanced and 6G under realistic propagation conditions. Leveraging digital twin technology and ray tracing, this approach aims to bridge the gap between AI-driven wireless simulations and real-world deployment, facilitating more efficient and accurate testing of next-generation receiver architectures.”
Soma Velayutham, global industry business development lead for telecommunications at NVIDIA said: “Synthetic data generation is transforming the way we train and validate AI-RAN systems by ensuring accuracy, scalability, and privacy, especially in settings of sparse data. Rohde & Schwarz, leveraging the NVIDIA Sionna Research Kit, exemplifies how industry-leading expertise and innovative technology can come together to accelerate progress in this critical field.”
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