ns-O-RAN: Simulating O-RAN 5G Systems in ns-3

What is it about?

This paper discusses how O-RAN is changing cellular networks by allowing fine-grained control over the network through RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs). The authors introduce ns-O-RAN, a software integration that combines a real-world RIC with a simulated RAN, providing a platform for researchers and telco operators to build, test, and integrate xApps without the need for experimental infrastructure.

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Photo by Alina Grubnyak on Unsplash

Photo by Alina Grubnyak on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The Open RAN paradigm is revolutionizing Radio Access Networks' approach toward softwarized networks and automated control. The O-RAN Alliance embraces this concept through the definition of standardized interfaces, controlled by a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), paving the way for new applications and data-driven use cases with such architecture. In this context, Northeastern University researchers have recently launched the OpenRAN Gym framework, which provides an end-to-end environment for the data collection and testing of data-driven solutions for O-RAN. This tutorial delves into ns-O-RAN, an OpenRAN Gym extension that integrates a real-world near real-time RIC and an ns-3 simulated RAN. This plays a fundamental role in supporting the O-RAN architecture, providing researchers and telco operators a simulated RAN and a platform to build test and integrate xApps.