OPEN RADIO ACCESS NETWORK FRAMEWORK FOR THE END-TO-END MANAGEMENT OF REGENERATIVE NON-TERRESTRIAL-NETWORK ACCESS NODES (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 3F.039)

Objective: The objective of the activity is to enhance the existing Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) framework to support 5G/6G Non-Terrestrial-Network (NTN) payloads, while integrating the ORAN adaptations with conventional ground segment control centres.Targeted Improvements:1) Adapt the of Enhanced Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) interfaces to support Non-Terrestrial-Network (NTN) 5G/6G payload2) Improve the ORAN Transport network layer3) Enable the Integration of ORAN interfaces into the ground segment operations for system interoperability4) Enable new applications for NTN payloads.Description: Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) specifications are on the brink of reforming the 3GPP radio network fabric through the development and standardisation of open interfaces that provide vendor interoperability, disaggregation of radio protocol stack, access to Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML enabled Radio Intelligent Controllers (RICs) and a framework for Service Management and Orchestration (SMO). The complexity required for the management and optimisation of hybrid TN/NTN (terrestrial/non-terrestrial network) radio platforms, make ORAN an ideal candidate for handling mobility, resource allocation, quality of Service optimisation, multi-connectivity, and spectrum sharing amongothers.Currently a solid background exists to build upon and expand the current ORAN standards and interfaces to support the NTN regenerative payloads, the interworking between TN/NTN nodes and the open interface integration with ground segment Network Operations Centres (NOCs).To tackle the main challenges, this activity is expected to:1) Enhance ORAN architectures with respect to the deployment of optimised interfaces between ground and space.2) Support the adaptation of the ORAN application protocol and service models, to support the 5G/6G NTN payloads.3) Optimise the ORAN transport network association to support the satellite motion out of aspecific geographical area.4) Develop and test real and non-real time Radio Intelligent Controller (RIC) enabled AI/ML applications (xApps, rApps) for NTN node mobility, traffic steering, quality of serviceoptimisation and resource allocation.5) Integrate the ORAN open interfaces with a real or emulated/simulated NOC terminating the interface, to optimise the resource allocation of regenerative NTN nodes.6) Integrate the TN and NTN existing nodes under the same RIC and Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) platform.7) Deliver an end-to-end testbed that follows the OpenRAN workflow and demonstrate the performances for various scenarios with different service requirements.