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The Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Near-RT RIC) is a crucial part of the architecture. A mobile communication system’s radio access network (RAN) is managed and controlled by a software-based organization.
The Near-RT RIC is made to offer dynamic and intelligent control capabilities to improve user experience, optimize network performance, and enable new services.
The O-RAN specifications were created by the O-RAN Alliance, a group of mobile operators and manufacturers, to encourage openness, interoperability, and innovation in the RAN domain. One of the functional elements specified in the O-RAN architecture to achieve these goals is the Near-RT RIC.
Due to the Near-RT RIC’s near real-time operation, decisions can be made quickly and actions can be taken in response to changes in network conditions. It gathers real-time information from several sources, such as base stations, user devices, network probes, and other RAN components. To get knowledge and intelligence about the condition and functioning of the network, this data is processed and evaluated.
The Near-RT RIC may dynamically modify and optimize RAN settings, setups, and resource allocations using this intelligence. It has the ability to operate independently or to advise other network entities, like base stations or network management systems, on the best course of action to pursue. The Near-RT RIC uses artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to develop its decision-making skills over time.
The Near-RT RIC provides the following crucial features: Optimizing a network In order to optimize various RAN characteristics, the Near-RT RIC continuously monitors the network and evaluates performance indicators.
To increase network capacity and coverage, it can dynamically assign radio resources, modify antenna arrangements, and improve interference control strategies. Enhancement of Quality of Service (QoS):
The Near-RT RIC can dynamically adjust network parameters to achieve optimal QoS for various services and user requirements by monitoring and analyzing real-time data. To maintain smooth communication, it can manage handovers between cells, modify modulation and coding schemes, and prioritize resources for key applications.
Energy Efficiency: By dynamically regulating power levels, activating and deactivating base station components according to traffic patterns, and optimizing the utilization of transmit/receive antennas, the Near-RT RIC can reduce the energy consumption of the RAN.
Network Slicing: With network slicing, the Near-RT RIC may manage and assign virtualized RAN resources on a dynamic basis to fulfill the unique needs of various services or user groups. It allows for the effective sharing of physical resources while upholding each slice’s isolation and QoS guarantees.
Service Innovation: The Near-RT RIC offers a platform for third-party apps and service innovation. It encourages the creation of new services and applications that may take advantage of the RAN’s capabilities by exposing well-defined interfaces and APIs that allow developers to access RAN data and control operations.
By separating the control plane and data plane tasks and offering standardized interfaces, the Near-RT RIC architecture fosters openness and interoperability. This promotes compatibility across various RAN devices and enables several suppliers to create Near-RT RIC software components.
The Near-RT RIC’s inclusion in the O-RAN architecture gives RAN management intelligence and flexibility. It makes dynamic optimization possible, improves network efficiency, and makes it easier to supply cutting-edge services. The Near-RT RIC contributes to the development of the RAN ecosystem toward a more open and interoperable architecture by embracing open interfaces and encouraging collaboration among many stakeholders.
The O-RAN Alliance is leading the way in one approach to slowing down innovation and adding post-deployment features. An open and standardized transparent paradigm is upending the conventional concept of opaque design. Forget about using closed and proprietary interfaces and having few ecosystem options to add new features to deployed devices.
The RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), a crucial technology that permits outside parties to add new capabilities to the network, is one example of a notion included in the new paradigm. This offers options for network operators as well as the developer ecosystem to monetize.
The Global O-Ran Near-Real-Time Ran Intelligent Controller Market accounted for $XX Billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $XX Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of XX% from 2023 to 2030.
48 new specifications have been released by the O-ran alliance since July 2021. The technical specification effort for O-RAN is moving along with good momentum. maintain the expansion of RAN standards with open interfaces and shrewd RAN features. Following acceptance of the O-RAN ALLIANCE Adopter License, all published specifications will shortly be made available to the general public.
Intelligent Controller (RIC) for Non-Real-Time RAN RIC and E2 Interface for O-RAN Near-RT: Use Cases and Requirements O-CU-UP and O-CU-CP v1.0 O-RAN O1 Interface standard for the Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework. v1.0 O-RAN E2 Service Model: RAN Control (E2SM-RC).
FEC Profiles for the O-RAN Acceleration Abstraction Layer O2 interface infrastructure management services Specification of the O-Cloud Notification API for Event Consumers.
Specification for O-RAN Xhaul Transport TestingO-RAN Security Specifications Requirements 39 more recently issued specifications update current O-RAN standards by adding new functionality or updating existing ones in accordance with the O-RAN Architecture.