photon_photo/AdobestockCloud computing power moves closer to the device: cooperation between the University of Klagenfurt and Ericsson Austria on edge computing
More and more devices send, receive and process data across multiple industry segments: For example, to enable cars to communicate quickly and directly with each other and with the road infrastructure in the future, we need edge computing and the infrastructure of the new 5G mobile communications technology. Research on this topic is proceeding at full speed all over the world. In Austria, Ericsson Austria and the University of Klagenfurt have now joined forces to raise awareness of the importance of future technology and to contribute to its success.
Let’s imagine, for example, two self-driving cars that want to communicate about an accident just after the next bend, then it is clear: The information is of short-term and local relevance only. It therefore makes no sense to transmit the corresponding data to a far-off server, because this would waste energy and require long transmission times. Ideally, the information should be processed on the so-called edge: This provides for a server that is located nearby, which processes this information more quickly and on a local basis only.
Edge computing is gaining in importance due to the new mobile technology 5G, which is currently being deployed and which allows significantly faster transmission and local processing of data. Researchers in industry and academia around the world are investing a lot of effort in developing innovative technologies that aim to put computing power as close as possible to the terminal device.
“Edge computing is suitable for use cases involving high demands in terms of scalability, security, availability, low latency and bandwidth. Already by 2023, 25 percent of all 5G use cases are forecasted to be reliant on edge computing, as our extensive studies show. Mobile network operators are in an excellent position to take advantage of this opportunity. As a first step, the use of edge computing in conjunction with private networks on the premises of the industrial company holds the most promise for success. According to a study by Qualcomm Technologies Inc, Ericsson, in collaboration with Analysys Mason, the potential economic value of 5G in Austria could add up to more than EUR 10 billion, primarily in the areas of smart manufacturing and logistics, agriculture and fixed wireless access,” according to Alexander Sysoev, Managing Director of Ericsson Austria. Ericsson Austria has been working with the Department of Information Technology at the University of Klagenfurt since spring 2021, a research partner with extensive experience in edge and cloud computing.
Hermann Hellwagner, head of the department, adds: “ A number of challenges remain before edge computing can actually be rolled out on a broad scale. Much is currently being developed, but for example there is still too little standardisation that would enable cross-provider services.“ The cooperation with Ericsson Austria allows the research groups within the department and the Faculty of Technical Sciences, but also students, to contribute to this future technology in an industrial setting. The researchers at the University of Klagenfurt are widely regarded as leaders in the development of (multimedia) communication technologies.
The aim of the collaboration is to pool expertise from the spheres of university and industrial research. A series of Tech Talks, where experts exchange ideas, has already commenced and future events will be scheduled. Furthermore, Ericsson Austria also offers internships to students from the University of Klagenfurt and invites applications for Bachelor’s and Master’s theses on topics of mutual interest. In the medium term, it will also be possible to collaborate on joint research projects.
About Ericsson Austria GmbH:
Ericsson is a world leader in communications technology and services, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The company history of Ericsson Austria began in 1908 with a cooperation agreement between “Deckert & Homolka” and Ericsson. In the late 1990s, Ericsson acquired 100% of the company’s shares in Austria. Since then, Ericsson Austria has contributed to the excellent quality of the Austrian communications infrastructure with countless innovation projects using its technology, most of which was developed in Europe. You can read more about the importance of 5G and edge computing as an innovation driver here: https://www.ericsson.com/en/edge-computing
About the University of Klagenfurt:
The University of Klagenfurt, founded in 1970, is one of the best young universities in the world. It is ranked 48th in the THE Young University Rankings 2021. Around 12,000 students pursue their studies and research at the university, and around 2,000 of them are foreign students. Roughly 1,500 employees work on the campus in the south of Austria. The area of research strength “Networked and Autonomous Systems” is one of the most important research priorities at the University of Klagenfurt.
