NVIDIA is expanding its AI-RAN capabilities by introducing the ARC-Compact, a compact and energy-efficient system built to bring powerful AI processing directly to cell sites.

As 5G networks continue to grow, the need to make them smarter and more efficient has become critical. NVIDIA’s vision is to transform traditional cell sites into intelligent hubs that not only handle wireless connectivity but also run AI applications on-site. This shift enables faster data processing, and lower latency, and opens doors to new AI-powered services right at the edge.

What is ARC-Compact?

The ARC-Compact is a new hardware system powered by NVIDIA’s Grace CPU and L4 GPU. It’s designed specifically for tight, power-limited environments like mobile towers. Despite its small size, it delivers high 5G performance and can run complex AI models – whether it's improving radio signal processing or enabling AI use cases like video analysis and smart city applications.

It supports a mix of centralized (C-RAN) and distributed (D-RAN) deployment scenarios, making it versatile for operators. With the same software base across different configurations, it’s also fully upgradeable to future 6G networks.

Why it matters?

With ARC-Compact, telcos can now deploy AI-RAN in places where space and power were once limiting factors. It gives them the tools to run both 5G and AI workloads on the same device, reducing costs and improving performance. It also helps operators tap into the growing ARM ecosystem, offering flexibility and supplier diversity.

Industry Response

Companies like Vodafone, Nokia, and Samsung are already evaluating or integrating ARC-Compact into their networks. Early tests show promising results, and NVIDIA is working with partners like Foxconn and Supermicro to roll it out commercially later this year.

This innovation is part of NVIDIA’s broader AI Aerial portfolio, which includes tools for training, simulating, and deploying AI in wireless networks. Together with the original Aerial RAN Computer, ARC-Compact brings the AI-RAN vision closer to reality, paving the way for smarter, software-defined mobile networks.

As wireless networks evolve, NVIDIA's ARC-Compact is set to become a key building block, helping telcos build the intelligent, AI-powered networks of the future.