How Qualcomm Dragonwing Networking helps orchestrate AI, access and compute at the edge

What you should know:

• With solutions like Dragonwing Network AI Module, broadband networks are evolving to sense, adapt and optimize in real-time, enabling AI-enhanced use cases.
• Dragonwing Network AI Suite offers AI-powered tools to optimize network performance and allow for more efficient network management.
• The integration of AI, access and compute at the edge, facilitated by Dragonwing Broadband Development Platform, enables service providers to deliver differentiated services, optimize traffic and unlock new revenue streams while maintaining flexibility for future enhancements.

This week at Network X in Paris, Qualcomm Technologies introduced new innovations to accelerate the AI-driven transformation underway in broadband networks. The focus is moving beyond basic connectivity toward networks that can sense, adapt and optimize in real time. Three tightly aligned solutions together form the foundation of Qualcomm Technologies' vision for broadband services - a blueprint for ISPs to evolve infrastructure, subscriber edge and service experiences with intelligent, scalable technologies:

• Dragonwing Network AI Module: A scalable AI accelerator for gateways and routers, enabling seamless, AI-enhanced use cases like physical security, parental controls, device onboarding and autonomous trouble-shooting - bringing intelligence closer to the edge of the network.
• Dragonwing Network AI Suite: An AI-powered software suite for classification and service optimization, with commercial deployments already in progress.
• Dragonwing Broadband Development Platform: A modular, developer-first platform empowering rapid integration of a broad range of Qualcomm technology innovation at the subscriber edge.

Dragonwing Network AI Module

The Dragonwing Network AI Module is built to enable carriers to unlock AI-driven network performance gains through features that identify apps and devices, provide real-time summaries of network issues and more. It also delivers powerful generative AI (GenAI) compute to unlock experiences based on voice assistance, facial recognition and other AI-model driven actions locally at the network edge.

The Dragonwing Network AI Module is designed to integrate seamlessly across Dragonwing FWA, Dragonwing NPro, Dragonwing N Series and Dragonwing MBB platforms, delivering a peak of up to 24 TOPS of compute and a full software stack for differentiated services, enhanced user experiences and operational efficiency without any cloud dependency. A reference design platform is available to allow quick testing and integration for broadband customers and the larger developer ecosystem.

Dragonwing Network AI Suite

Complementing the Dragonwing Network AI Module, the Dragonwing Network AI Suite is a foundational set of AI-powered tools for broadband providers to intelligently optimize performance across the network. The Dragonwing Network AI Suite currently features several key capabilities:

• Traffic Sense: Classifies latency-sensitive traffic like gaming and video conferencing without deep packet inspection.
• Anomaly Sense: Continuously monitors network behavior to detect and allow users to respond to performance issues before they affect users.

Additional capabilities will continue to be introduced over the coming months, including:

• App Sense: Identifies top applications for app-aware performance tuning and parental controls.
• Device Sense: Recognizes connected devices to personalize services and enhance security.

Dragonwing Broadband Development Platform

While traditional reference design platforms have long supported product development, the Dragonwing Broadband Development platform takes a complementary approach. It offers customers a versatile and flexible environment ideally suited for quickly validating their own requirements and integrating proprietary or third-party services across mobile broadband, CPE, FWA and other gateway verticals.

With support for multiple access technologies and adaptable interfaces, our customers can explore new ideas and refine solutions efficiently, enabling a more streamlined path from concept to deployment. As the broadband landscape continues to evolve, the platform is designed to accommodate emerging access technologies, opening the door for expanded innovation in future deployments.

Across all offerings, our support is universal for carrier middleware platforms like prpl and others, ensuring smooth integration and flexibility. Service providers can move fast, innovate freely, and deliver standout broadband experiences without compatibility headaches. Dragonwing networking solutions are reshaping broadband innovation, merging advanced AI with flexible development tools. With seamless integration and support for the latest technologies, service providers can deliver high-performance, customized experiences that rise to the challenges of our connected era.