Open Ran: Technology and Ecosystem

Complete guide to identifying and describing basic Open RAN technology concepts and understanding the structure and dynamics of the ecosystem

Open RAN describes key aspects and provides insight into the structure and dynamics of the Open RAN ecosystem, linking the key technology aspects to the market drivers and showing the role of technology in the ecosystem’s progress.

This book explores Open RAN cloudification techniques and deployment scenarios down to details of the RAN split options and use of hardware accelerators. Open RAN programmability for non-real-time operations (SMO, Non-RT RIC, A1) and real-time operations (Near-RT RIC, E2) are discussed alongside essentials of RAN control, network data collection, notifications of events, policy control, and network and service management. Examples of implementation by leading vendors and open-source communities are provided throughout to show the potential of the Open RAN ecosystem and technology.

Written by an industry insider and a key contributor to the development of the technology, this book includes:

• Activities and structure of the O-RAN Alliance, including work groups, committees, and the O-RAN Software Community (OSC)
• Evolution of the Open RAN ecosystem, covering O-RAN specifications releases and compliant products, ongoing and planned developments, as well as ongoing and planned trials and commercial deployments
• SMO and Non-RT RIC functional procedures, A1 policy-based interface, rApps
• Near-RT RIC functional procedures, covering subscription, notifications, control, policy, and query procedures; E2 services, covering REPORT, INSERT, CONTROL, and POLICY services; Near-RT RIC as an xApps hosting platform
• Traffic steering, QoS optimization, NSSI resource optimization, and massive MIMO optimization, covering outer and inner control loops, network data collection, and optimization actions

With a combined overview of key technology aspects and practical examples, Open RAN is a practical and highly useful reference for researchers, engineers, and marketing experts employed by mobile carriers, equipment vendors, government bodies, and universities, as well as professionals in associated communications fields and PhD electrical engineering students.

Vladimir Yanover, PhD, 5G and Open RAN expert, has significant experience in development of mobile network technology, in representing leading companies in O-RAN Alliance and 3GPP, and in the development of industry White Papers. He invented and contributed to several essential O-RAN technology elements, chaired technical Work Groups in standard bodies, led the development of White Papers in NGMN and 5G Americas and co-authored a book on 5G RAN architecture.