📄️ Architectural Overview
Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) is an evolving framework that emphasizes openness, intelligence, and flexibility in telecom networks. Its architecture spans multiple layers and components, enabling efficient service management and orchestration:
📄️ Radio Unit
The Radio Unit (RU) is the component responsible for handling the radio frequency (RF) functions in the O-RAN architecture. It operates at the edge of the RAN and directly interfaces with user equipment (UE) over the air interface.
📄️ Distribution Unit
The Distributed Unit (DU) is responsible for real-time baseband processing and managing the lower layers of the RAN protocol stack. It sits between the Radio Unit (O-RU) and the Central Unit (O-CU) in the O-RAN architecture.
📄️ Central Unit
The Central Unit (O-CU) is responsible for handling the higher layers of the RAN protocol stack, focusing on both control and user plane functions. It sits above the Distributed Unit (O-DU) and provides a centralized point for managing signaling, mobility, and user data.
📄️ Near Realtime RIC
The Near-Real-Time RIC (Near-RT RIC) is a key component of the O-RAN architecture that enables intelligent and policy-driven optimization of the RAN. It operates on timescales ranging from 10 milliseconds to 1 second, allowing it to make near-real-time adjustments to network behavior.
📄️ Service Management Orchestration
The Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework provides centralized management, automation, and orchestration for the entire O-RAN ecosystem. It coordinates the lifecycle of network components, ensures efficient resource allocation, and enables advanced features like network slicing and automation.
📄️ Overview of Interfaces
This page describes all interfaces within an O-RAN environment.