Keysight Technologies, announced a collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, to advance high-precision Radio Frequency (RF) digital twins for massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) development in 5G-Advanced and emerging 6G networks.
The joint effort focuses on creating RF digital twins that link simulation models to real-world measurements, enabling chipset, device, and network equipment manufacturers to predict and optimize massive MIMO performance prior to deployment. This approach addresses variations in site-specific RF conditions that affect beamforming and precoding outcomes, as well as the need for high-quality channel data to support AI applications in radio access networks.
At Mobile World Congress 2026, Keysight and Qualcomm will jointly demonstrate the workflow at Keysight’s booth (Hall 5 #5F41). The demonstration uses Keysight’s Channel Studio RaySim to generate a photorealistic RF digital twin of Qualcomm Technologies’ massive MIMO prototype network on its San Diego campus. The model incorporates site-specific radio propagation effects and is validated by comparing results against Qualcomm Technologies’ end-to-end massive MIMO prototype network measurements and lab-based testbeds using Keysight channel emulation and Qualcomm Technologies’ test devices.
The workflow shows correlation across key performance indicators, including Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), rank, and data throughput, when compared to over-the-air measurements. The validated process supports generation of high-quality channel datasets for training and validating AI and machine learning techniques, such as Channel State Information (CSI) compression, adaptive beam management, and AI-assisted precoding optimization.
Kiran Mukkavilli, Senior Director at Qualcomm Technologies, stated that realistic RF digital twins are essential for developing and validating advanced beamforming and AI-based optimization techniques, and that anchoring high-fidelity digital twins to Qualcomm’s massive MIMO research platform improves confidence in real-world performance through combined modeling, system-level testing, and over-the-air validation.
Mosaab Abughalib, General Manager and Head of Wireless Solutions at Keysight, noted that high-precision RF digital twins connect algorithm design to measurable hardware performance, and that combining raytraced digital twins with advanced channel emulation allows prediction of massive MIMO behavior before deployment.
