Real-time RIC for High-Performance 5G vRAN

NEC Corporation has developed the Near-RT RIC platform, aimed at enabling an advanced 5G network that supports new user experiences based on AI. This platform delivers flexible and intelligent network control per O-RAN Alliance specifications for vRAN and runs on general-purpose hardware. Providers can dynamically customise RAN (base station) settings according to service requirements and network conditions. With RIC applications running on the platform, functions for load balancing between cells have been implemented, guaranteeing the Service Level Agreement (SLA) for slices and achieving high reliability with acceptable latency.

The platform offers the flexibility to support functional enhancements such as quality improvement, SLA guarantees, and power saving by dynamically customising RAN operations in response to diversifying service requirements. RIC applications include load balancing between cells, SLA guarantee for slices, and ensuring high reliability with acceptable latency. These applications enable quick resolution of load imbalances between adjacent cells, optimization of radio resources for each slice to provide quality of service, and the use of AI to analyze acceptable latency and optimize radio control for each terminal.

By separating RIC control from conventional RAN functions and operating on a virtualised platform via an interface compliant with O-RAN Alliance specifications, the platform can quickly incorporate hardware and software innovations related to AI. This approach automates and makes RAN operations more autonomous, leading to continuous improvement in the value of vRAN while keeping the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) down.

NEC demonstrated the effectiveness of achieving acceptable latency in an indoor test environment using 5G vRAN by building an indoor network for remotely controlling mobile robots. A demonstration experiment of an RIC application that achieves highly reliable acceptable latency was conducted. By dynamically optimizing radio control for each mobile robot terminal, NEC showed a significant reduction in the frequency of packets exceeding the acceptable latency when compared to scenarios where RIC was not used.

Looking ahead, NEC aims to contribute to improving service quality in the mobile network market by expanding Near-RT RIC applications that enhance network quality, save power, and improve operational autonomy using AI. The company is focused on advancing vRAN with an eye on Beyond 5G/6G, ensuring that the network infrastructure continues to evolve to meet the needs of corporate digital transformation (DX) and general users alike.