Keysight Technologies and MediaTek Unveil AI-Driven Uplink Optimization Prototype

On February 27, 2026, Keysight Technologies Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) announced a groundbreaking collaboration with MediaTek, showcasing a working prototype that significantly enhances AI-driven uplink optimization and model life cycle management for next-generation radio access networks (RAN). This innovative prototype is set to be demonstrated at the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2026, offering a glimpse into the future of mobile network technology.

As the demand for mobile data continues to surge, maintaining consistent uplink performance has become increasingly complex. Coverage disparities across urban, rural, indoor, and remote locations pose significant challenges. Traditional techniques used for transmitter diversity often lack the adaptability required to perform optimally as conditions change. Furthermore, AI models that are trained in one specific environment may not yield the same performance in different deployment scenarios, complicating the task of updating these models in live networks.

Keysight and MediaTek are tackling this pressing issue by integrating RAN-assisted AI decision-making with site-specific model retraining and over-the-air (OTA) model updates. This approach is tested in a controlled environment that accurately simulates real-world network conditions, ensuring that the solutions can be effectively implemented across various scenarios.

The prototype developed by Keysight and MediaTek utilizes Keysight’s Channel Studio RaySim and its Network and Channel Emulation solutions. These tools create realistic and repeatable validation scenarios that allow for measurable improvements in uplink throughput, spectral efficiency, and reliability. By streamlining the operational effort needed to support diverse deployment environments, this collaboration aims to accelerate the transition to more dynamic and efficient AI-native RANs.

Mingxi Fan, Senior General Manager of the Wireless Technology Group at MediaTek, emphasized the critical role that uplink performance enhancement will play in the future of mobile networks. He stated, “Transmit diversity is a promising technique to be implemented at the device level so it can work across a wide variety of network environments.” Fan highlighted the importance of open infrastructure and device cooperation in facilitating scalable AI-native RAN deployments.

Peng Cao, Vice President and General Manager of the Wireless Test Group at Keysight, also spoke about the significance of this collaboration. He remarked, “Together with MediaTek, we have demonstrated a novel AI-enabling-AI technique which helps address the increasing demand on mobile networks’ uplink performance, capacity, and consistent end-user experiences driven by AI and AR applications.” Cao noted the use of high-fidelity real-world training datasets generated from Keysight’s RF digital twin channel emulation solutions, which utilize advanced 3D ray tracing capabilities.

The partnership between Keysight Technologies and MediaTek marks a significant step toward optimizing radio access networks for the AI era. By addressing the challenges associated with uplink performance and continuously adapting AI models, this collaboration is poised to enhance the efficiency of mobile networks, ultimately leading to improved user experiences as well as the successful rollout of advanced applications in artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

As the mobile landscape continues to evolve, the innovations brought forth by this collaboration could very well shape the future of connectivity, enabling operators and ecosystem partners to accelerate their transition to next-generation networks.