SoftBank Corp. has completed a field trial using a common API designed to leverage 5G capabilities in collaboration with global telecommunication operators. The trial, conducted this month, aimed to enhance communication control within a 5G environment.
Utilising the common API from the open-source project ‘CAMARA,’ SoftBank established a private 5G network at the Keio University Shonan Fujisawa Campus in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, for this purpose. The trial demonstrated the feasibility of controlling communication quality through the CAMARA-defined common API. This development allows members of the Digital Twin Campus Consortium, managed by the Keio University SFC Research Institute, to access and use the common API established during the trial.
As one use case utilising the common API in this field trial, SoftBank developed a system that controls the image quality and communication quality of cameras for the purpose of remote monitoring, and it built a solution that optimises the image and communication quality based on person detection. In this solution, operational fields of image quality control and communication quality control, and validation for use cases were conducted, leading to successful remote control.
SoftBank is participating in the ‘GSMA Open Gateway’ initiative aimed at constructing a common API launched by the GSMA industry association for telecommunication operators. Through initiatives such as this field trial, SoftBank aims to promote the overall growth of the telecommunications industry by realising diverse business models and enabling the rapid market deployment of mobile services demanded in the 5G era through collaboration between telecommunication operators and application service providers.
Field Trial Environment
SoftBank utilised the infrastructure built in SFC to develop functions capable of controlling and acquiring information from 5G SA (standalone) core equipment and built a system called Network API Enabler, which opens these functions through APIs. Additionally, a field trial platform was built by collecting and coordinating sensor information and experimental terminal information installed in SFC on the digital twin platform, enabling the verification of various use cases.
Furthermore, a field trial that tested a solution for optimising communication quality based on person detection was conducted as a use case that application service providers can imagine.
Optimising communication quality based on person detection
For remote monitoring using cameras, much of the transferred data during normal operation becomes unnecessary, while high-quality image data is required during anomaly detection, necessitating control over communication data.
By using the Quality on Demand (QoD) API to switch from low-quality to high-quality images only during anomaly detection, unnecessary communication data can be eliminated, leading to a cost reduction in operations.
Additionally, because the external control of image quality is possible when using the API, efficient monitoring can be achieved with generic products, eliminating the need for high-performance cameras and sensors. In this field trial, SoftBank confirmed that monitoring can be conducted using minimum image quality during normal operation and high-quality images only when necessary by executing the QoD API triggered by person detection using LiDAR sensors.
Future Developments
While advancing considerations for the introduction of this technology as a commercial service, SoftBank aims to resolve various social issues through new use cases that involve customising the network as needed. In addition to providing a common API, SoftBank will promote the development of new mobile services and collaborate with various partners to foster innovative business ventures in the 5G era.
