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O-RAN Architecture Overview: Components Definition

The document provides an overview of the O-RAN architecture including its components and reference architecture. The architecture separates the radio side and management side and includes components like near-RT RIC, O-CU, O-DU and O-RU. It also describes the reference architecture and functions of elements like orchestration layer, RIC, CU, DU and RRU.

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179 views5 pages

O-RAN Architecture Overview: Components Definition

The document provides an overview of the O-RAN architecture including its components and reference architecture. The architecture separates the radio side and management side and includes components like near-RT RIC, O-CU, O-DU and O-RU. It also describes the reference architecture and functions of elements like orchestration layer, RIC, CU, DU and RRU.

Uploaded by

shashi40410
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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O-RAN Architecture Overview

O-RAN SC architecture follows O-RAN Alliance defined architecture.

Figure 1: O-RAN architecture overview

In the O-RAN architecture, the radio side includes Near-RT RIC, O-CU-CP, O-CU-
UP, O-DU, and O-RU. The management side includes Service Management and
Orchestration Framework that contains a Non-RT-RIC function.

Components Definition
For the purposes of the present document, the terms and definitions given in 3GPP
TR 21.905 [1] and the following apply. A term defined in the present document takes
precedence over the definition of the same term, if any, in 3GPP TR 21.905 [1].

near-RT RIC: O-RAN near-real-time RAN Intelligent Controller: a logical function that
enables near-real-time control and optimization of O-RAN elements and resources
via fine-grained data collection and actions over E2 interface.

non-RT RIC: O-RAN non-real-time RAN Intelligent Controller: a logical function that
enables non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources,

C1 – Vodafone Idea External


AI/ML workflow including model training and updates, and policy-based guidance of
applications/features in near-RT RIC.

NMS: A Network Management System

O-CU: O-RAN Central Unit: a logical node hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP protocols

O-CU-CP: O-RAN Central Unit – Control Plane: a logical node hosting the RRC and
the control plane part of the PDCP protocol

O-CU-UP: O-RAN Central Unit – User Plane: a logical node hosting the user plane
part of the PDCP protocol and the SDAP protocol

O-DU: O-RAN Distributed Unit: a logical node hosting RLC/MAC/High-PHY layers


based on a lower layer functional split.

O-RU: O-RAN Radio Unit: a logical node hosting Low-PHY layer and RF processing
based on a lower layer functional split. This is similar to 3GPP’s “TRP” or “RRH” but
more specific in including the Low-PHY layer (FFT/iFFT, PRACH extraction).

O1: Interface between management entities in Service Management and


Orchestration Framework and O-RAN managed elements, for operation and
management, by which FCAPS management, Software management, File
management shall be achieved.

O1*: Interface between Service Management and Orchestration Framework and


Infrastructure Management Framework supporting O-RAN virtual network functions.

xAPP: Independent software plug-in to the Near-RT RIC platform to provide


functional extensibility to the RAN by third parties.

C1 – Vodafone Idea External


O-RAN Reference Architecture

O-RAN reference Architecture is shown in below picture

It has following functional blocks:

 Orchestration/NMS layer with  Non Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller


 RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) near-Real Time function layer
 Multi-RAT CU protocol stack Function
 DU and RRU Function

Orchestration/NMS layer with  Non Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller

Non-RT control functionality (> 1s) and near-Real Time (near-RT) control
functions(<1s) are decoupled in the RIC. Non-RT functions include service and
policy management, RAN analytics and model-training for the near-RT RAN
functionality. Trained models and real-time control functions produced in the RIC
non-RT are distributed to the RIC near-RT for runtime execution.

 O-RAN specification defined an A1 interface between Orchestration/NMS


layer with RIC non-RT and eNB/gNB containing RIC near-RT.
 Network management applications in non-RT RIC receives and act on highly
reliable data from the modular Control Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) in a
standardized format over A1 Interface.
 AI-enabled policies and ML-based models generated messages in RIC non-
RT  and conveyed to RIC near-RT.
 The core algorithm of non-RT RIC is owned and deployed by network
operators
 This algorithms provides the capability to modify the RAN behaviors based by
deployment of different models optimized to individual operator policies and
optimization objectives

RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) near-Real Time function layer

C1 – Vodafone Idea External


The O-RAN reference architecture provides next generation RRM with embedded
intelligence,while optionally accommodating legacy RRM. This resides within the RIC
Near RT function layer. The RIC near-RT is completely compatible with legacy RRM
and its design is started to enhancing the operational challenging functions such as
per-UE controlled load-balancing, RB management, interference detection and
mitigation.

This layer has following functions

 It provides new functions leveraging embedded intelligence,such as QoS


management, connectivity management and seamless handover control.
 The RIC near-RT delivers a robust, secure, and scalable platform that allows
for flexible on-boarding of third-party control-applications.
 RIC near-RT functions leverages a database called the Radio-Network
Information Base (R-NIB) which captures the near real-time state of the
underlying network
 It feeds various RAN measurements data, to the near-RT RIC to facilitate
radio resource management
 It also provides initiate configuration commands  to CU/DU.
 The near-RT RIC can be provided by traditional TEMs or 3rd-party players
 RIC near-RT receives an AI model from RIC non-RT and  execute it to
change the functional behavior of the network

Interface Reference Points (A1 & E2)

 A1, as described above, is the interface between non-RT RIC and modular
CU which contains near-RT RIC.
 E2 is a standard interface between the near-RT RIC and CU/DU in the
context of an O-RAN architecture.

Multi-RAT CU protocol stack Function

 The function of the Multi-RAT protocol stack supports 4G, 5G and other
protocol processing.
 The basic functions of the protocol stack are implemented according to the
control commands issued by the near-RT RIC module e.g. handovers
 Multi-RAT CU function shall be deployed on virtualization platform
 This virtualization provides a highly-efficient execution environment for CU
and near-RT RIC, with the ability to distribute capacity across multiple network
elements with security isolation, virtual resource allocation, accelerator
resource encapsulation, etc. benefits
 The current architecture is using  existing interface definitions for F1/E1/X2/Xn
provided by 3GPP
 This interfaces can be enhanced to support inter operation among multi-
vendors and the CU provided by TEMs offer a regional CP and UP anchor for
DUs

DU and RRU Function

C1 – Vodafone Idea External


 The DU and RRU function includes real-time L2 functions, base band
processing and radio frequency processing
 The interface between the DU and the RRU provides standard function
segmentation, including the DU-RRU lower layer split interface (Open front-
haul Interface), and the CU-DU higher layer split interface (F1), which ensures
inter-operability between different TEMs

C1 – Vodafone Idea External

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