Cellular networks are usually understood as radio towers and data streams. However, AT&T faces the ongoing challenge of navigating the complexities of the real world — buildings, trees, and other obstacles that can disrupt wireless signals to your phone. To address this, the company is turning to an advanced technology commonly used in gaming and computer graphics: ray tracing, powered by artificial intelligence.
How Ray Tracing Improves Network Performance
AT&T Geo Modeler is a new system that uses ray tracing and AI to create detailed representations of network coverage areas. This allows AT&T to respond swiftly to service interruptions and proactively configure its network to handle large events or natural disasters.
What is Ray Tracing and How Does it Work?
In video games and animation, ray tracing simulates how light behaves in a virtual world. Software traces the path of light rays to accurately depict shadows, reflections, and overall visual realism.
Historically, ray tracing was computationally demanding. Now, high-end smartphones can render photorealistic, ray-traced scenes in games in real time.
Applying this concept to cellular networks, Velin Kounev, lead inventive scientist at AT&T Labs, explains that the technology functions similarly, albeit on a much larger scale: “Whatever Nvidia is doing for games, whatever Disney is doing… we are doing at a much bigger scale.”
In the context of AT&T’s Geo Modeler, high-frequency radio waves emitted by cellular towers behave like light. The system analyzes how these waves interact with the environment – bouncing off surfaces or being blocked by structures. This data is then processed by internal systems and machine learning models, enabling AT&T to make rapid adjustments.
These adjustments can range from fine-tuning the angle of nearby antennas to reconfiguring the network following a tower outage, ideally all without impacting customers.
Proactive Network Optimization and Self-Healing Capabilities
Jennifer Yates, assistant vice president of inventive science, network and service automation at AT&T Labs, highlights the goal: “We don’t want [customers] to notice.” The network is designed to be self-healing and autonomous, operating seamlessly behind the scenes.
Kounev elaborates on the benefits with a familiar example: “When you hit Lincoln Tunnel traffic at 5 o’clock in the afternoon and you can get your website loaded, that’s when we come in.” The system optimizes network traffic during peak hours to ensure reliable connections, even in congested areas.
Predicting and Deploying Resources Ahead of Events
Beyond daily network adjustments, the Geo Modeler is a valuable tool for predicting resource deployment during major events like music festivals or natural disasters. For example, after a tree falls during a storm, ray tracing can quickly generate a revised network model, guiding adjustments. AT&T utilized this technology at the Coachella festival in April.
In anticipation of events like hurricanes, AT&T can predict network coverage changes. “Knowing where to expect holes in the network allows AT&T to position resources, such as generators or mobile cellular towers, in place before the hurricane strikes.” Moreover, unlike traditional predictive tools relying solely on existing data, ray tracing allows AT&T to make predictions in areas lacking measurement data.
A Year in Development and Extensive Validation
After a year of development, AT&T has accumulated sufficient data to confidently deploy Geo Modeler more broadly. Yates emphasized that AT&T has rigorously validated its results by comparing model predictions with real-world measurements. Kounev notes that demonstrating the technology’s real-time capabilities across a vast network of stations required convincing internal stakeholders.
By employing a video game technique, AT&T is enhancing the resilience and performance of its cellular network, ultimately providing a better experience for customers by proactively addressing potential issues and optimizing connectivity.
In conclusion, AT&T’s adoption of ray tracing technology demonstrates a proactive and innovative approach to network management, ensuring reliable connectivity even under challenging circumstances. By anticipating and mitigating potential issues, AT&T is solidifying its position as a leader in the evolution of cellular technology
