Open RAN Architecture

Summary

Open Radio Access Network (O‐RAN) architecture enables RAN programmability by introducing additional layer of intelligence in Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework, Non‐Real‐Time Radio Intelligent Controller (RT RIC) and Near‐RT RIC controllers. This chapter shows the architecture of Near‐RT RIC with its connections to RAN components (“E2 Nodes”) via the E2 interface. It also shows the architecture components and interfaces, and outlines O‐RAN High‐Level Architecture. In addition to general‐purpose compute, networking, and storage infrastructure components, integrated cloud (O‐Cloud) may also include various RAN‐specific acceleration devices. In the O‐RAN architecture, the SMO is a central manager, which can manage both RAN components and the underlying O‐Cloud. RAN programmability allows better adjustment of the RAN behavior to the local environment, resulting in better control and optimization of the network.