Open RAN (Radio Access Network)

The O-RAN architecture is designed to enable next generation RAN (Radio Access Network) infrastructures. It is designed with the principles of intelligence, virtualization, and disaggregation.

The key concept of Open RAN is opening the protocols and interfaces between these various building blocks (radios, hardware, and software) in the RAN. The O-RAN ALLIANCE has defined 11 different interfaces within the RAN including those for:

• Fronthaul between the RU and the DU
• Mid-haul between the DU and the CU
• Backhaul connecting the RAN to the core

There are also different specifications developed by various standards organizations that are applicable to the interfaces between the different blocks.

The split architecture poses issues for applications that have latency requirements below 1 msec.

Because there are various standards pertaining to interface use cases, traffic models, and deployment scenarios, some confusion may exist in the marketplace.

The opening of the interfaces could have an impact on the overall performance of the network and present interoperability issues.

The openness with different vendors also could present challenges with the fault management and configuration management.

The framework/guideline is intended to be flexible, adaptable, scalable, and formulaic and can be extended for different evolving ecosystems and may be used by governments, industry, and academia.

The goal of this Industry Connections activity is to develop a structured sustainable framework/guideline to address the deployment, interoperability, configuration and fault management, and performance issues.

Proposed deliverables and outcomes from this Industry Connections activity may include documents (e.g., white papers, reports), proposals for standards, conferences, and workshops, etc. The deliverables of this activity will be:

• Practice guide/framework for various deployment scenarios
• Guidelines/specifications for the configuration and fault management
• Guidelines/specifications for the management interface
• Test bed and proof of concept
• Use case guide (mapping the use cases)
• Guidelines for different implementations
• Guidelines to help ensure proper interoperability and compliance
• Test beds for compliance and interoperability verification
• New PARs based on the identification of issues
• Workshops and events
• Webinars
• Collaboration initiatives with other organizations

We welcome new participants from large and small corporations, academia, industry, and government agencies that are interested in the Open RAN (Radio Access Network) Industry Connections activity. Members will include but are not limited to:

• Service providers
• Semiconductor manufacturers
• OEMS
• Original Design Manufacturers (ODMS)
• Telcos
• Technology providers

To learn more about the program and how to join the Open RAN (Radio Access Network) activity, please express your interest by completing the interest form or sending an inquiry to the activity chair whose information can be found in the Contacts section.