Open6G OTIC: A Blueprint for Programmable O-RAN and 3GPP Testing Infrastructure

TL;DR

This paper presents a blueprint for a scalable, programmable Open6G OTIC infrastructure to validate interoperability and compliance of disaggregated RAN components in Open RAN deployments.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive design and deployment framework for a multi-tenant, automated testing infrastructure for O-RAN and 3GPP components.

Findings

Successful deployment of Open6G OTIC at Northeastern University.

Insights into technical challenges for large-scale O-RAN testing.

Framework supports heterogeneous devices and automation.

Abstract

Softwarized and programmable Radio Access Networks (RANs) come with virtualized and disaggregated components, increasing the supply chain robustness and the flexibility and dynamism of the network deployments. This is a key tenet of Open RAN, with open interfaces across disaggregated components specified by the O-RAN ALLIANCE. It is mandatory, however, to validate that all components are compliant with the specifications and can successfully interoperate, without performance gaps with traditional, monolithic appliances. Open Testing & Integration Centers (OTICs) are entities that can verify such interoperability and adherence to the standard through rigorous testing. However, how to design, instrument, and deploy an OTIC which can offer testing for multiple tenants, heterogeneous devices, and is ready to support automated testing is still an open challenge. In this paper, we introduce a blueprint for a programmable OTIC testing infrastructure, based on the design and deployment of the Open6G OTIC at Northeastern University, Boston, and provide insights on technical challenges and solutions for O-RAN testing at scale.