research-article

Empowering the 6G Cellular Architecture With Open RAN

Authors:

Michele Polese,

Falko Dressler,

Melike Erol-Kantarci,

Tommaso MelodiaAuthors Info & Claims

IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Volume 42, Issue 2

Pages 245 - 262

https://doi.org/10.1109/JSAC.2023.3334610

Published: 01 February 2024 Publication History

Abstract

Innovation and standardization in 5G have brought advancements to every facet of the cellular architecture. This ranges from the introduction of new frequency bands and signaling technologies for the radio access network (RAN), to a core network underpinned by micro-services and network function virtualization (NFV). However, like any emerging technology, the pace of real-world deployments does not instantly match the pace of innovation. To address this discrepancy, one of the key aspects under continuous development is the RAN with the aim of making it more open, adaptive, functional, and easy to manage. In this paper, we highlight the transformative potential of embracing novel cellular architectures by transitioning from conventional systems to the progressive principles of Open RAN. This promises to make 6G networks more agile, cost-effective, energy-efficient, and resilient. It opens up a plethora of novel use cases, ranging from ubiquitous support for autonomous devices to cost-effective expansions in regions previously underserved. The principles of Open RAN encompass: (i) a disaggregated architecture with modular and standardized interfaces; (ii) cloudification, programmability and orchestration; and (iii) AI-enabled data-centric closed-loop control and automation. We first discuss the transformative role Open RAN principles have played in the 5G era. Then, we adopt a system-level approach and describe how these Open RAN principles will support 6G RAN and architecture innovation. We qualitatively discuss potential performance gains that Open RAN principles yield for specific 6G use cases. For each principle, we outline the steps that research, development and standardization communities ought to take to make Open RAN principles central to next-generation cellular network designs.

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Cited By

Ferguson ALarrea JMarina M(2024)CoreKube: An Efficient, Autoscaling and Resilient Mobile Core SystemGetMobile: Mobile Computing and Communications10.1145/3665112.366511828:1(17-22)Online publication date: 13-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3665112.3665118
Kalntis MSuárez-Varela JIglesias JBhattacharjee AIosifidis GKuipers FLutu AVallina-Rodríguez NSuarez-Tángil GLevin DPelsser C(2024)Through the Telco Lens: A Countrywide Empirical Study of Cellular HandoversProceedings of the 2024 ACM on Internet Measurement Conference10.1145/3646547.3688452(51-67)Online publication date: 4-Nov-2024
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Larsen LChristiansen HRuepp SBerger M(2024)The Evolution of Mobile Network OperationsComputer Networks: The International Journal of Computer and Telecommunications Networking10.1016/j.comnet.2024.110292243:COnline publication date: 1-Apr-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.comnet.2024.110292

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Empowering the 6G Cellular Architecture With Open RAN

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cover image IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications

IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications Volume 42, Issue 2

Feb. 2024

265 pages

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0733-8716 © 2023 IEEE. Personal use is permitted, but republication/redistribution requires IEEE permission. See https://www.ieee.org/publications/rights/index.html for more information.

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Cited By

Ferguson ALarrea JMarina M(2024)CoreKube: An Efficient, Autoscaling and Resilient Mobile Core SystemGetMobile: Mobile Computing and Communications10.1145/3665112.366511828:1(17-22)Online publication date: 13-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3665112.3665118
Kalntis MSuárez-Varela JIglesias JBhattacharjee AIosifidis GKuipers FLutu AVallina-Rodríguez NSuarez-Tángil GLevin DPelsser C(2024)Through the Telco Lens: A Countrywide Empirical Study of Cellular HandoversProceedings of the 2024 ACM on Internet Measurement Conference10.1145/3646547.3688452(51-67)Online publication date: 4-Nov-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3646547.3688452
Larsen LChristiansen HRuepp SBerger M(2024)The Evolution of Mobile Network OperationsComputer Networks: The International Journal of Computer and Telecommunications Networking10.1016/j.comnet.2024.110292243:COnline publication date: 1-Apr-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.comnet.2024.110292

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