The telecom industry is on the cusp of a revolution, driven by NVIDIA’s decision to release its Aerial software as open source. This move reflects broader industry trends towards open-source innovation and collaboration, which have already transformed sectors like software development and finance. By making Aerial available on various NVIDIA platforms, including the DGX Spark, developers can now build AI-native 5G and 6G networks at an unprecedented pace.
NVIDIA’s commitment to open-source software is not new, with its previously open-sourced Sionna software having already garnered over 200,000 downloads and 500 citations. The Aerial software, including Aerial CUDA-Accelerated RAN, Aerial Omniverse Digital Twin (AODT), and the new Aerial Framework, is expected to be available on GitHub under Apache 2.0 licensing starting this December, with AODT release in March 2026. This will empower developers to build full-stack, AI-native 5G and 6G RAN solutions, experiment freely, and accelerate the transition from research to real-world deployment.
The implications of this development are far-reaching. With the NVIDIA Aerial portfolio, thousands of wireless innovators worldwide can now tap into accelerated computing platforms, software libraries, and tools to build, train, simulate, and deploy full-stack AI-native RAN systems faster than ever. This has already led to breakthroughs like the first made-in-America AI-native wireless stack, showcasing early 6G applications including spectrum agility and integrated sensing and communications.
As Alex Jinsung Choi, chairman of the AI-RAN Alliance, notes, “With NVIDIA’s open-source Aerial software and DGX Spark, developers can create modular, software-defined wireless systems and experiment freely — from labs to live environments.” This is a critical enabler for fueling AI-RAN innovations that boost spectrum efficiency, enhance network performance, and power new AI applications — at a pace the industry has never experienced.
The DGX Spark, the world’s smallest AI supercomputer, is now available for AI-native 5G and 6G research, delivering the performance to run NVIDIA Aerial or Sionna software in a cost-effective small footprint. This, combined with the NVIDIA Sionna Research Kit and the NVIDIA Aerial Testbed, provides a comprehensive platform for researchers and developers to prototype, test, and validate AI/ML algorithms over the air.
As the telecom industry embarks on this new chapter of innovation, NVIDIA’s commitment to open access and global collaboration marks a pivotal milestone. By breaking down barriers and inviting participation from developers beyond traditional wireless, NVIDIA is catalyzing a wave of 5G and 6G collaboration that will shape national competitiveness and global standards.
Source: Official Link