Microsoft Keeps Open RAN Momentum on Track

Microsoft is working on to develop Open RAN RIC (RAN Intelligence Controller) as per the O-RAN alliance specifications.

As per ORAN-Specification set of telemetry and control interfaces with predefined service models (known as the E2 interface)” that open RAN vendors are expected to implement and that feed near-real-time xApp applications.

These xApps are needed to help operators gauge the performance and reliability of their open RAN-based networks.

Microsoft is working to extend the E2 interface so that it can dynamically extract detailed internal data and real-time telemetric data from live RAN software to provide more detailed RAN control for operators.

The Microsoft RAN analytics and control framework would allow third-party RAN vendors to run specific applications that can extract this data for the operator without interfering with the normal RAN operation.

With this technology, together with detailed platform telemetry, operators can achieve better network monitoring and performance optimization for their 5G networks, and enable new [artificial intelligence], analytics, and automation capabilities that were not possible before.

Microsoft has been working with Capgemini and Intel to develop a prototype of the system using Capgemini’s 5G RAN and Intel’s FlexRAN reference software.