O-RAN RIC-based Handover Optimization for enhanced QoS Assurance

The progression of O-RAN-based Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructures, allows for enhanced 5G/6G network programmability. Network optimization control loops and applications executed within RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs) enable and facilitate new levels of network automation, customization, and optimization. By natively enabling and supporting the training and execution of Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML) based network optimization mechanisms the O-RAN design principles and architecture by design supports utilization of AI/ML-mechanisms at various points in the network and for various network optimization purposes. The work presented reports on the design, implementation and performance evaluation of a network management system (NMS) for O-RAN-based campus networks. In this paper, the NMS is extended with O-RAN RIC-based mobility management / handover optimization control loops / applications for enhanced QoS-assurance. The QoS-assurance performance of the pro-active, predictive mobility management xApp is evaluated and compared to the QoS-assurance performance of traditional, passive user equipment (UE)-initiated handover mechanisms. By doing so the presented work is indicating the potential of O-RAN’s enhanced network programmability mechanisms.