Multi-access Edge Computing

Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), also known as Mobile Edge Computing, is a network architecture that enables cloud computing capabilities and an IT service environment at the edge of a cellular network. MEC technology is designed to be implemented at cellular base stations or other edge nodes, and enables flexible and rapid deployment of new applications and services for customers. MEC is ideal to be used for the next generation of 5G cellular networks.

MEC implements the ethos of Edge Computing for cellular phone networks, allowing content such as movies, video games, VR / AR applications and other multimedia content to be placed closer to the user at the periphery of the network, reducing latency and bandwidth requirements. For example, popular video content can be saved at the cellular base station, reducing network backhaul and transport requirements and improving loading times. In addition, a MEC server can be used to implement applications such as Intelligent Video Analytics – video steams can be analyzed in real time without the need to be transmitted back to a central data center, accelerating detection and response times and trigger events automatically (e.g. abandoned bags, facial recognition of wanted or missing persons etc.), or for Augmented Reality – the MEC server will provide local object tracking and local AR content caching to overlay augmented reality content onto objects viewed on a cellular device camera.

GIGABYTE has partnered with ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute), working together in developing the hardware and software architecture required to implement MEC. A demonstration of this architecture was showcased at MWC 2019 (Mobile World Conference) in Barcelona and will be implemented as part of a VR concert viewing system in the new Taipei Center for Popular Music.