LiveU, Ericsson and Nokia have joined forces to trial live video using single and bonded modems.

These were transmitted over 5G slices that were automatically and dynamically set-up according to real-time analysis. The three companies worked alongside University of Patras (UoP), under the Horizon Europe 5G-Solution project.

The trial involved transmitting video over 5G slices that were automatically set-up according to real-time analysis achieved using several LiveU multi-cam LU800 field units and a network management process called Zero-Touch-Automation (ZTA).

Each unit transmitted up to four independent camera feeds simultaneously by bonding multiple modems, networks or slices. One of which was a slice specially configured for broadcasters’ uplink video contribution, said the companies. The ZTA mechanism is dynamically allocated in real-time 5G slices according to LiveU units’ transmission needs and the network overall load.

The ZTA mechanism, designed by Ericsson, identified real-time changes in the network performance resulting from the increased upload demand. It then notified the network management orchestrator (CDSO, by Nokia), which drove the reconfiguration of the network (deployed by UoP) by setting up a special upload-oriented slice.

Modems in the LiveU units automatically identified the newly available special slice, started using it, and LiveU bonding algorithms began transmitting live video packets using this dedicated slice. Bonding this slice with the “best-effort” slices or commercial networks allowed each of the LU800s to transmit four video streams concurrently and at a high quality, with stable bandwidth and latency, added the companies. Bonding special slices, in real-time, with other modems, networks and bandwidths was instrumental in maintaining video continuity and overall QoS throughout and to reduce the spectrum needed from the new slice.

Baruch Altman, head of 5G technology projects at LiveU, said, “These pioneering tests demonstrated how remote production can benefit from real-time, adaptive 5G/6G end-to-end dedicated slice allocation with the highest QoS possible. Currently, only cutting-edge solutions like LiveU’s field units can make optimal use of such advanced 5G capabilities and convert them to immediate value for the customers, while supporting network operators’ need for efficient operations. This collaborative achievement emphasizes again LiveU’s leadership at the forefront of 5G technology development for its broadcast, sports, government and other customers.”

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