RICtest: RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) Test Solutions

Validating 5G RAN Optimization at Scale

5G functionalities like radio access network (RAN) functional splits, control plane and user plane separation (CUPS) and network slicing require advanced monitoring and analytical capabilities to configure, optimize, and control the RAN infrastructure at the edge.

The RAN intelligent controller (RIC) functional entity provides advanced control capabilities, enabling increased efficiency and better radio resource management by leveraging analytics and data-driven operations to optimize access network utilization. The RIC consists of a near-real-time controller (Near-RT RIC) that implements functionalities requiring low latency and a non-real-time controller (Non-RT RIC) for operations without stringent latency needs. The Near-RT RIC software platform provides a cloud-based infrastructure to host various applications (xApps) for controlling a distributed set of RAN elements (O-eNB, O-gNB, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU) over the E2 interface from the O-RAN ALLIANCE. The Non-RT RIC is a component service of the Service Management Orchestration (SMO) that also hosts applications (rApps) capable of modifying operational parameters for these RAN elements.

For the RAN condition to be improved, the vertical integration - from the RAN Nodes to the SMO and Policy Management – must be successful. Bringing the relevant systems into the lab for performance, conformance, interoperability, and use case validation (including use of AI/ML in applications) is a first step to addressing these challenges. A test tool which can flexibly pivot at each challenge is required.

Keysight solutions for RIC testing can address every test challenge.

RICtest: emulation of O-RAN E2, A1 and O1 nodes for performance, conformance and interoperability testing

• Performance. RICtest’s platform performance testing determines RIC readiness for production load levels.
• Conformance. RICtest has implemented O-RAN ALLIANCE-endorsed conformance test specifications for E2 and A1 interfaces to provide assessment of compliance.
• Interoperability. Simulation of O-RAN nodes generates telemetry to xApps and rApps using standards-based protocols and service models towards RIC and SMO providing assessment of the state of vertical integration.
• Use Case Validation. Many use cases from traditional Self Optimizing Networks (SONs) and from O-RAN ALLIANCE are supported today. The solution offers standards-based service models and performance metrics to test user-defined workflows for Use Cases, and to prove xApps and/or rApps in E2- and/or O1-driven closed loop validation.