AdapShare: An RL-Based Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Solution for O-RAN

TL;DR

AdapShare is an RL-based spectrum sharing solution for O-RAN that intelligently manages resources between LTE and NR networks, outperforming static schemes especially under resource scarcity or excess.

Contribution

This paper introduces AdapShare, a novel RL-based, intent-driven spectrum management framework compatible with O-RAN, demonstrating improved resource allocation in real-world scenarios.

Findings

AdapShare reduces resource surplus and deficit effectively.

It outperforms static allocation schemes in various demand scenarios.

The architecture supports seamless integration into real-world O-RAN deployments.

Abstract

The Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) initiative, characterized by open interfaces and AI/ML-capable RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), facilitates effective spectrum sharing among RANs. In this context, we introduce AdapShare, an ORAN-compatible solution leveraging Reinforcement Learning (RL) for intent-based spectrum management, with the primary goal of minimizing resource surpluses or deficits in RANs. By employing RL agents, AdapShare intelligently learns network demand patterns and uses them to allocate resources. We demonstrate the efficacy of AdapShare in the spectrum sharing scenario between LTE and NR networks, incorporating real-world LTE resource usage data and synthetic NR usage data to demonstrate its practical use. We use the average surplus or deficit and fairness index to measure the system's performance in various scenarios. AdapShare outperforms a quasi-static resource allocation scheme based on long-term network demand statistics, particularly when available resources are scarce or exceed the aggregate demand from the networks. Lastly, we present a high-level O-RAN compatible architecture using RL agents, which demonstrates the seamless integration of AdapShare into real-world deployment scenarios.