Open RAN (O-RAN) defines an emerging cellular radio access network (RAN) architecture for future 6G wireless networks, emphasizing openness and intelligence which are considered the foundations of future 6G wireless networks. While the inherent complexity and flexibility of the RAN give rise to many new research problems, progress in developing solutions is hampered due to the lack of end-to-end, fully developed platforms that can help in pursuing use cases in realistic environments. This has motivated the formation of open-source frameworks available to the wireless community. However, the rapid evolution of dedicated platforms and solutions utilizing various software-based technologies often leaves questions regarding the interoperability and interactions between the components in the framework. This article shows how to build a software-defined radio testbed featuring an open-source 5G system that can interact with the near-real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) of the O-RAN architecture through standard interfaces. We focus on the O-RAN E2 interface interactions and outline the procedure to enable a RAN system with E2 capabilities. We demonstrate the working of two xApps on the testbed with detailed E2 message exchange procedures and their role in controlling next-generation RANs.
翻译:开放RAN (O-RAN) 定义了未来6G无线网络的新兴蜂窝无线电接入网络(RAN)架构,强调开放和情报,认为这是未来6G无线网络的基础;虽然RAN的内在复杂性和灵活性导致许多新的研究问题,但制定解决方案的进展受到阻碍,因为缺乏端对端的、完全发达的平台,有助于在现实环境中追踪使用案例;这促使无线社区建立了开放源框架;然而,利用各种软件技术的专用平台和解决方案的迅速演变,往往对框架中各组成部分之间的互操作性和互动产生疑问;这篇文章展示了如何建立一个软件定义的无线电测试台,该测试台以开放源的5G系统为主,通过标准界面与O-RAN结构的近实时(近实时)RAN智能控制器(ICRIC)互动。我们侧重于O-RAN E2接口的互动,并概述了使具有E2能力的RAN系统得以运行的程序。我们展示了使用详细R2电文交换程序及其控制作用的测试台的下两个XApp系统的工作。