ADLINK & Charles Industries Unveil First Complete Micro‑Edge AI/ML Solution for 5G Pole‑Mounted Deployments

ADLINK Technology and Charles Industries have collaborated to launch the industry’s first fully integrated micro‑edge AI/ML/DL platform that can be co‑located on LTE small‑cell poles or the next‑generation 5G radios.

Designed as a compact, low‑profile unit that mounts to poles or walls, the solution combines ADLINK’s state‑of‑the‑art AI Edge Server MECS‑7210 with Charles’ custom SC102 Micro‑Edge Enclosure. Together, the rugged chassis and enclosure deliver a ready‑to‑deploy package for outdoor telecom environments, empowering carriers and communities worldwide to roll out advanced services such as autonomous vehicles, VR/AR experiences, vision analytics, and a broad spectrum of AI/ML/DL applications.

Powered by dual‑socket Intel Xeon Scalable processors, the MECS‑7210 is a high‑performance, cost‑effective COTS platform housed in a 2U chassis with a 420mm depth. It offers full I/O front access, dust‑protection, wide temperature operation, and dual full‑height full‑length PCIe expansion slots for acceleration hardware (FPGA/GPU). The platform is one of the first to fully comply with the Open Telecom IT Infrastructure (OTII) specifications set by the Open Data Center Committee (ODCC), ensuring the ultra‑low latency, high‑bandwidth, real‑time connectivity demanded by 5G networks.

The SC102 Micro‑Edge Enclosure was engineered around the MECS‑7210 using advanced thermal modeling to maintain reliable performance in harsh outdoor conditions. It meets Bellcore GR‑487 requirements for an ambient range of –40 °C to +55 °C, incorporates a 1,880W heat exchanger and 250W heater, and supports both AC and DC power feeds. The sealed enclosure protects against rain, wind, ice, and sun while featuring temperature and door‑intrusion alarms for added security.