Open RAN and Programmable - The Huddle 2023

Open RAN and Programmable Networks Workshop

Date: 8 May 2023

Time: 14:00 – 17:00 SGT

Location: SUTD Campus, 8 Somapah Rd, Singapore, 487372

Room: LT4 Building 2 Level 4 (2.404)

Registration Closed Registration to attend this workshop is now closed.

About

This workshop takes a deep dive into challenges and opportunities represented by Open RAN (ORAN) technology and assesses its potential for revolutionizing the wireless communication industry. ORAN is a new network architecture that aims to use open, interoperable, and virtualized components to enhance network flexibility, reduce vendor lock-in, and improve network efficiency. In this workshop, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of programmable networks such as ORAN, including its architecture, key components, and be able to judge whether it can achieve these challenging goals. Additionally, experts in the field will share their insights on how ORAN might shape the future of 6G networks and how programmable networks in general could play a critical role in the evolution of wireless communication. Network with professionals in the industry and be a part of shaping the future of wireless technology.

Schedule

Time	Speaker	Talk
2pm – 2:10	Prof. Tony Quek (SUTD) Prof. Zehui Xiong (SUTD) Prof. Binbin Chen (SUTD)	Welcome address by organizers
2:10 – 2:40	Prof. Chan Mun Choon (NUS)	FSA: Fronthaul Slicing Architecture for 5G using data plane programmable switches
2:40 – 3:15	Dr. Tsunehiko Chiba (VIAVI)	Advancing Open RAN Ecosystem and Testing
3:15 – 3:35	Mr. Hang Cao (NI)	Demystifying Key Technologies of Future of 6G Networks
3:35 – 3:50		Tea break
3:50 – 4:20	Prof. Cheng (NTUST)	O-RAN Alliance and O-RAN Software Community
4:20 – 4:40	Prof. Navid Nikaein (BubbleRAN & Eurecom)	Open RAN Studio
4:40 – 5pm	Dr. Hongguang Sun (QCT)	Use Case Driven Open RAN Technology Evolvement

Speakers

Prof. Mun Choon CHAN, National University of Singapore

Title: FSA: Fronthaul Slicing Architecture for 5G using data plane programmable switches

Abstract: 5G networks are gaining pace in development and deployment in recent years. One of 5G’s key objective is to support a variety of use cases with different Service Level Objectives (SLOs). Slicing is a key part of 5G that allows operators to provide a tailored set of resources to different use cases in order to meet their SLOs. Existing works focus on slicing in the frontend or the C-RAN. However, slicing is missing in the fronthaul network that connects the frontend to the C-RAN. This leads to over-provisioning in the fronthaul and the C-RAN, and also limits the scalability of the network. In this talk, we will present the design and implementation of Fronthaul Slicing Architecture (FSA). FSA runs in the switch data plane and uses information from the wireless schedule to identify the slice of a fronthaul data packet at line-rate. It enables multipoint-to-multipoint routing as well as packet prioritization to provide multiplexing gains in the fronthaul and the C-RAN, making the system more scalable.

Bio: Mun Choon CHAN is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, National University of Singapore. His research area includes IoT, wireless sensor network, mobile computing, and software defined networking. He graduated with a BS in Computer and Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and Ph.D. from Columbia University. Before joining NUS, he was a Member of Technical Staff in the Networking Research Laboratory, Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies.: Mun Choon CHAN is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, National University of Singapore. His research area includes IoT, wireless sensor network, mobile computing, and software defined networking. He graduated with a BS in Computer and Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and Ph.D. from Columbia University. Before joining NUS, he was a Member of Technical Staff in the Networking Research Laboratory, Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies.

Dr. Tsunehiko Chiba, VIAVI

Title: Advancing Open RAN Ecosystem and Testing

Abstract: In this presentation, overview of Open RAN, value chain and key challenges are covered. The overview includes two key organizations, O-RAN Alliance and TIP (Telecom Infra Project) followed by Open RAN deployment status and future growth. While Open RAN will bring innovation to Telco world, industry needs to solve some key challenges such as security, integration, and testing. We will further explain how to test these key areas including RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller).

Bio: Dr. Tsunehiko Chiba is currently Chief Wireless Architect, CTO Office at VIAVI Solutions. He has more than 23-years’ experience in mobile industry including 3G/4G commercial development, 4G/5G standardization & research expert as part of global leading vendor and operator. Especially, he has been one of the main contributors in 3GPP, O-RAN Alliance and ITU with several patent portfolio as well as next generation research forums. His current role at VIAVI Solutions is standardization lead for 3GPP and O-RAN Alliance, and technical lead for wireless network research and strategy.

Mr. Hang Cao (NI)

Title: Demystifying Key Technologies of Future of 6G Networks

Abstract: The development of the sixth generation of wireless communication technology is currently underway and is expected to be introduced before 2030s. There are various concepts and technologies that are still being explored, including the use of higher frequencies and wider bandwidths, the discovery of new applications, and the investigation of spectrum optimization through artificial intelligence and MIMO technologies. One of the most buzzed-about aspects of 6G networks is the Open Radio Access Network (ORAN), which is a groundbreaking idea that offers an open-source platform that brings together multiple vendors and allows for seamless integration of different network elements. This means that there is greater flexibility and scalability in selecting vendors and controlling network infrastructure, leading to reduced costs and streamlined operations.

In this presentation, we will be sharing with you NI’s perspective on cutting-edge 6G technologies and a range of successful user cases from around the globe. Through our insights and real-world demonstrations, we aim to offer you valuable insights into the latest advances in this exciting field, as well as concrete examples of how these technologies are being leveraged to drive sustainable growth and innovation in diverse sectors and markets.

Bio: Hang Cao received the B.S and the M.S in Information Engineering from Southeast University, China in 2011 and 2014, respectively. He joined NI in 2014 as Engineer Leadership Program and is now APAC business development group manager for wireless research in NI.

Prof. Ray-Guang Cheng, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST)

Title: “O-RAN Alliance and O-RAN Software Community.”

Abstract: The O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network) Alliance is a global industry consortium that aims to drive the mobile industry towards an ecosystem of innovative, multi-vendor, interoperable, and autonomous RAN, with reduced cost, improved performance, and greater agility. Intelligence and openness and two core principles of the O-RAN Alliance. O-RAN Software Community (OSC) is an open-source project collaborated by O-RAN Alliance and Linux Foundation, aiming to develop reference software components based on 3GPP and O-RAN Alliance specifications. Three OSC Community Laboratories were built to speed up the integration and interoperability testing among different projects. In this talk, we will briefly introduce the architecture of the O-RAN Alliance and the ongoing projects of the OSC.

Bio: Ray-Guang Cheng received the B.E., M.E., and Ph.D. degrees in communication engineering from National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, in 1991, 1993, and 1996, respectively. From 1997 to 2000, he was with Advance Technology Center, Computer and Communication Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taiwan, as a Researcher and a Project Leader. From 2000 to 2003, he joined BenQ Mobile System, Inc., Taiwan, as a Senior Manager of the R&D Division. He is currently a Director of the Computer Center and a Distinguished Professor at the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), Taiwan. He holds the IEEE Wireless Communication Professional (WCP) Certification, 18 U.S. patents, and more than 30 IEEE/3GPP standard contributions. He is the Head of the Joint NTUST-EURECOM Open5G Lab and the OSC Taiwan Lab.

Prof Navid Nikaein, BubbleRAN, EURECOM, OpenAirInterface Software Alliance

Title: Open RAN Studio

Abstract: Open RAN Studio is a production-grade cloud-native multi-vendor platform to design, operate, and automate an end-to-end 3GPP and O-RAN compliant network and services, at scale. It includes both open source and industrial-grade 3GPP-compliant 4G/5G stacks (OpenAirInterface, srsRAN, and Amarisoft) with their respective E2 agents and soft UEs as well as an O-RAN-compliant near-RT RIC, Non-RT RIC, xApps, and rApps. Using Open RAN studio, now developers, vendors, and Operators are able to: (1) develop NFs/xApps/rApps and on-board them using a software development kit (SDK), (2) design a multi-vendor Open RAN network blueprints tailored to your use-case, (3) deploy and operate their blueprints at scale, (4) control and reconfigure RAN via xApps/rApps, and (5) collect datasets and analyze network control and user planes. In addition, they can learn and reuse existing resources via open documentation (https://bubbleran.com/docs/category/open-ran-studio).

Bio: Navid Nikaein is the founder and CEO of BubbleRAN and a Professor in the Communication Systems Department at Eurecom, France. At BubbleRAN, he is helping organizations to seamlessly build, customize, and operate their private 4G/5G network by consolidating open RAN architecture and cloud-native intelligence to offer greater programmability, scalability and performance. At Eurecom, he is leading a R&D group on experimental 4G/5G system research for emerging use-cases found in private 5G. He is the founder of Mosiac5G, co-founder of OpenAirInterface, and a board member of OpenAirInterface Software Alliance.

Dr. Hongguang Sun, 5G Infrastructure Solution Manager, Quanta Cloud Technology

Title: Use Case Driven Open RAN Technology Evolvement

Abstract: Technology can drive innovation, but just as importantly, business is also leading the technological evolution of 5G. Use cases is a key factor to apply in different verticals for 5G deployment. What are the Opportunities, Challenges, and Key Factors of Private 5G? How does Open RAN Technology support 5G Use Cases in the vertical field? In this session, it will cover how Open RAN Technology could support 5G Use Cases in the vertical field, as well as how the QCT framework, NxN The Use Case Building Block on top of QCT’s Private 5G can accelerate use case development in each vertical.

Bio: Hongguang Sun received the B.S. degree (with distinction) in Electronic and Information Engineering from Northeastern University, China, in July 2009 and the Ph.D. degree in Communication and Information System from Xidian University, Xi’an, China, in December 2015. From December 2015 to December 2018, he was an Assistant Professor with the School of Telecommunications Engineering, Xidian University. From December 2018 to April 2023, he was an Associate Professor with the College of Information Engineering, Northwest A&F University. He is currently a 5G Infrastructure Solution Manager in Quanta Cloud Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd., Singapore. His current research interests include system modeling and resource management of 5G and beyond wireless networks, and internet-of-things. Dr. Sun has published more than 40 IEEE journals and conferences, and more than 10 granted China patents. Dr. Sun also served as the IEEE Member and the Technical Program Committee Member for numerous IEEE conferences.