Key RAN disaggregation Components

For RAN disaggregation, we consider below four main components.

Modular/Decomposed

Make the big problem into several smaller problems to incentivize more specialized companies to enter the ecosystem and offer solutions for specific subcomponents. Thereby reducing the entry barrier for new entrants.

Cloudification/Software-based

We can learn and decouple hardware from software based on the success of cloudification in other businesses. Adopting the DevOps approach in software development and utilizing commodity hardware allows us to take advantage of the economies of scale.

Open APIs and Ecosystem

There is a need to define open and well-defined interfaces that allow easier interoperability between the modules in the solution. The industry has proven this with 3GPP-defined global standards and interfaces between the network elements. O-RAN ALLIANCE, TIP, and other communities have emerged to define the Open RAN architecture and related interfaces.

Automation

Disaggregation creates complexity from the standpoint of how we can integrate the solution back in. For this, we need automation capabilities. How can we automate all the repeatable tasks in the component life cycle management of the disaggregated solution?