Open RAN, or Open Radio Access Network architecture is based on
3GPP
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is an umbrella term for a number of standards organizations which develop protocols for mobile telecommunications. Its best known work is the development and maintenance of:
* GSM and related 2G and ...
standards for
Radio Access Network
A radio access network (RAN) is part of a mobile telecommunication system implementing a radio access technology (RAT). Conceptually, it resides between a device such as a mobile phone, a computer, or any remotely controlled machine and provi ...
s (RAN) but contains many extensions, disaggregates RAN components and makes their interfaces open, aiming to improve flexibility and interoperability. RAN hardware and software are cloudified/virtualized, and it includes intelligent management (SMO).
Those open interfaces aim for mixing components from different vendors and quicker deployment of new services.
[ Open RAN standardization is led by the O-RAN ALLIANCE.
''Cloudification'' means disaggregating hardware and software, making RAN software cloud-native functions running on a general-purpose hardware.][
''Intelligent open management'' includes automated management and orchestration systems which can utilize Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for life cycle management of network functions.][
''Open interfaces'': standardized open interfaces, such as the O-RAN ALLIANCE's specifications and 3GPP-defined interfaces, facilitate interoperability between disaggregated RAN components.][
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Key components
In Open RAN, the RAN is split into three main blocks: the Radio Unit (RU), the Distributed Unit (DU), and the Centralised Unit (CU).
''RAN Intelligent Controller'' (RIC) is an optional virtualized optimization technology for 5G. It adds programmability to a new or existing RAN and allows SON-like (Self-Optimizing Networks) capabilities. The optimization in RIC is boosted by policy-driven closed loop automation and AI/ML.[
The fronthaul interface lies between radio Units (RU) and baseband units (Distributed Units (DU)). It is a focus area in Open RAN.][
O-RAN has specified an eCPRI-based 7.2x open interface to be used in the fronthaul, allowing connections between radio units and baseband units of different vendors.][
]
O-RAN ALLIANCE
O-RAN ALLIANCE (O-RAN) was founded in 2018 by AT&T
AT&T Inc., an abbreviation for its predecessor's former name, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, is an American multinational telecommunications holding company headquartered at Whitacre Tower in Downtown Dallas, Texas. It is the w ...
, China Mobile
China Mobile is the trade name of both China Mobile Limited and its ultimate controlling shareholder, China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese State-owned enterprises of China, state-owned telecommunicationsStrait deals ''The Econ ...
, Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche Telekom AG (, ; often just Telekom, DTAG or DT; stylised as ·T·) is a partially state-owned German telecommunications company headquartered in Bonn and the largest telecommunications provider in Europe by revenue. It was formed in 199 ...
, NTT DOCOMO and Orange
Orange most often refers to:
*Orange (fruit), the fruit of the tree species '' Citrus'' × ''sinensis''
** Orange blossom, its fragrant flower
** Orange juice
*Orange (colour), the color of an orange fruit, occurs between red and yellow in the vi ...
to promote open mobile networks.[ O-RAN has over 30 operator members and almost 300 contributors.][
O-RAN specifications define the parts of the O-RAN Architecture, which can be used to develop Open RAN solutions.
]
References
{{Reflist
Radio technology