Tag: xapp

In this blog, we discuss the results of the collaborative project focused on developing an rApp for traffic steering in 4G/5G heterogeneous RANs, leveraging an open-source O-RAN architecture. The SMaRT-5G initiative, involving industry partners like Intel Labs,  TietoEvry, Aether, VIAVI, and Rimedo Labs, experiments with SMO and Non-RT RIC hosting rApps - for coordinated network optimization. Here, we focus on migrating the TS function, originally designed as an xApp, to an rApp. The article covers the ideas, differences, the actual process of migration, and the final testing and integration of the TS-rApp.

This blog post discusses synthetic data generation for AI-based O-RAN xApps/rApps. We start by outlining the need for such data for O-RAN’s x/rApps training and testing. This is followed by the two preparation steps for synthetic data generation, namely, data alignment and data preparation. Finally, some opportunities and challenges are discussed.  

In the current heterogeneous mobile networks, traffic management is considered one of the key features to efficiently handle non-uniform user data. To realize this, the traffic steering function is employed, whose main task is to allocate users' traffic flows to network nodes or cells. O-RAN ALLIANCE provides means to support traffic steering through the utilization of Non- and Near-RT RIC frameworks and the accompanied rApps and xApps. This whitepaper provides an overview of the traffic steering topic in 5G mobile networks and how it fits into the O-RAN area. This is followed up by example implementations of the Traffic Steering xApp and its utilization for various use cases working in tandems with the corresponding rApps for energy saving and V2X scenarios.

This blog post discusses in detail two options for notification of the TS-xApp on the ES actions from the O-RAN specifications perspective. The first option is to utilize the A1 interface to send policies with a “FORBID” clause for cells that will be switched off, to indicate TS-xApp that users should be removed from this cell. The second approach is to utilize the E2SM-CCC, where the TS-xApp listens to the changes in O-CES Management Function.

Vehicular communication presents a complex set of challenges within the realm of 5G and future networks, primarily due to its ever-changing temporal and spatial dynamics. This use case places specific and demanding requirements on mobile networks, as it includes a diverse range of services with varying needs. In this blog, we address this problem by flexible utilization of both Traffic Management rApp (TM-rApp) and Traffic Steering xApp (TS-xApp), which could help in V2X scenarios.

Recently, security has been pointed out as one of the critical aspects moving forward within the O-RAN domain. Expanded threat surface, as well as specific security challenges and opportunities, have been identified. This whitepaper provides an overview of security topics in O-RAN, specifically in 5G/6G mobile radio networks. We also consider artificial intelligence embedded in the network edge as a great tool to support security. We present some xApps applied to detect and mitigate example attacks. Conclusions and a discussion on the directions of future developments follow this.