O-RAN Security and Spectrum Access Research Testbed

Abstract

The open radio access network (O-RAN) describes an industry-driven open architecture for building next generation RANs. Instead of legacy interfaces that are vendor-specific and controlled by major industry players, it defines open interfaces for enabling innovation at all layers. It supports RAN virtualization and data driven cellular network management, establishing logical entities and well-specified interfaces and procedures for data collection, distribution, and processing. O-RAN based 5G and future 6G networks will incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into the deployment, operation, and maintenance of the network.We recognize end-to-end security, deterministic latency, physical layer real-time control, and testing of AI-based RAN control applications as the critical research and development directions and propose developing an O-RAN security and spectrum access research testbed. The goal of the testbed is enabling research and education on the O-RAN architecture, interfaces,services, security, and spectrum access and sharing technologies. The software-defined radio testbed uses commercial off-the-shelf radio, computing, and radio frequency (RF) testing hardware and widely available software that can be customized and upgraded. We will leverage open-source software provided by industry andresearch centers, including srsran, OpenAirInterface, and the O-RAN Software Community, as well as the open specifications providedby the O-RAN Alliance and the Third Generation Partnership Project. The testbed will facilitate development, network configuration,automation, and experimentation in different RF environments#over-the-air and in controlled RF spaces#enabling reproducible research, education, and training.This abstract can be publicly released.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Aug 11, 2023
Source ID
N000142312808

Entities

People

  • Vuk Marojevic

Organizations

  • Mississippi State University
  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Database Systems and Applications
  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Radio communications and signal processing.

Technology Areas

  • 5G
  • 5G - Internet of Things
  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
  • Space