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Engineering Online
Engineering Online

ECE 592 682 Open RAN: Foundations & Applications

3 Credit Hours

(also offered as CSC 591)

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN, also referred to as O-RAN), a transformative approach to wireless communication systems. Students will explore the principles of disaggregation, interoperability, and open interfaces that define the Open RAN architecture, with a focus on its role in modernizing and optimizing 5G networks and beyond. The course combines theoretical foundations with practical, hands-on experience, including the design, implementation, and testing of RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs), xApps/rApps, and AI/ML-based network automation tools. Topics include Open RAN standards, integration of software and hardware, spectrum sharing, and emerging use cases in IoT and Industry 4.0. This course equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead innovation in the evolving telecom industry.

Prerequisites

ECE 407 – engineering principles of computer communications and networking, including layering concepts, overview of protocols, architectures for local, metropolitan, and wide-area networks, routing protocols, internet operations, transport control and applications or permission of instructor.

Course Objectives

  • Understand the architecture, standards, and components of Open RAN.
  • Design and prototype Open RAN applications using AI/ML and open interfaces.
  • Analyze the role of Open RAN in 5G networks and future wireless innovations.
  • Gain practical experience with Open RAN software tools and platforms.

Course Outline

  1. Introduction to O-RAN: Evolution of cellular technologies particularly RAN. Introduction to O-RAN ALLIANCE, O-RAN ecosystem, O-RAN use cases, including, QoE optimization, RAN slicing, Dynamic spectrum sharing, Industrial IoT etc.
  2. O-RAN Architecture: SMO, Non-RT RIC, Near-RT RIC, O-Cloud, Various Open RAN Interfaces, like, O1, O2, A1, E2, AIE1, Open Fronthaul interfaces, Various 3GPP relevant interfaces, Functional split, O-RAN deployment scenarios.
  3. O-RAN Applications: xApps, rApps and dApps/ μApps: Various xApp use cases, such as, KPIMON xApp, RAN Slicing xApp, ML-based xApps, xApp workflow, as well as, various rApp use cases, such as, traffic steering rApp, QoE rApp, and finally, real-time dApps/ μApps, such as, RB scheduling μApp and Beamforming dApp.
  4. O-RAN Security (Optional): O-RAN security analysis, various threats against O-RAN networks, Risk assessment, and O-RAN security requirement, control and testing.
  5. O-RAN Ecosystem: Internal and external O-RAN ecosystems, Work groups of O-RAN specifications, O-RAN software community, system integrators, and service providers.
  6. O-RAN Research and Development Initiatives: Industry-led initiatives, such as, O-RAN ALLIANCE, TIP, ONF, and major telecom vendors and operators, Academia led initiatives like OAIC, Colosseum, AERPAW and 5GENESIS, and government led initiatives like NTIA.
  7. O-RAN Future Directions/Roadmap Towards 6G: Open RAN’s role in 6G, energy efficiency, security and next-generation networks.

Course Requirements

  • 20% homework/labs (Coding/programming -based assignment using srsRAN/OAI 5G testbed, AERPAW testbed, Colosseum emulator or at least, ns-O-RAN simulator/emulator).
  • 20% class presentations (on O-RAN topics).
  • 20% exam
  • 40% class project

Textbook

Nishith D. Tripathi and Vijay K. Shah, Fundamentals of O-RAN, Wiley/IEEE Press (https://www.wiley.com/en-ie/Fundamentals+of+O-RAN-p-9781394206803).

Software Requirements

Open cellular software such as, srsRAN or OAI, O-RAN software such as, OSC RIC or FlexRIC.
Or at least a O-RAN network simulator, such as, ns3-O-RAN.

Created: 04/07/2025