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

Gabriele Gemmi, Michele Polese, Pedram Johari, Stefano Maxenti, Michael Seltser, Tommaso Melodia

TL;DR

The paper tackles the challenge of validating multi-vendor Open RAN components and 3GPP interfaces in a scalable OTIC setting. It proposes a programmable OTIC blueprint (Open6G OTIC) implemented at Northeastern University, enabling zero-touch reconfiguration, tenant isolation, virtualization, resiliency, and secure remote access. It analyzes OTIC testing categories (conformance, interoperability, end-to-end) and maps testing needs to an architectural blueprint that combines a physical, programmable infrastructure with a service layer for orchestration. The contribution provides a practical path toward automated, scalable testing in Open RAN ecosystems and highlights practical considerations for cross-site, multi-tenant testbed integration and future automation workflows.

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.

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

TL;DR

The paper tackles the challenge of validating multi-vendor Open RAN components and 3GPP interfaces in a scalable OTIC setting. It proposes a programmable OTIC blueprint (Open6G OTIC) implemented at Northeastern University, enabling zero-touch reconfiguration, tenant isolation, virtualization, resiliency, and secure remote access. It analyzes OTIC testing categories (conformance, interoperability, end-to-end) and maps testing needs to an architectural blueprint that combines a physical, programmable infrastructure with a service layer for orchestration. The contribution provides a practical path toward automated, scalable testing in Open RAN ecosystems and highlights practical considerations for cross-site, multi-tenant testbed integration and future automation workflows.

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.
Paper Structure (5 sections, 3 figures, 3 tables)

This paper contains 5 sections, 3 figures, 3 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Testing Disaggregated Cellular Systems
  3. Requirement Analysis
  4. Programmable Architecture Blueprint
  5. Conclusions

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: Different topologies for Open RAN. Orange arrows represent digital communication, while blue arrows represent analog (RF) communication.
  • Figure 2: Physical Topology of the Open6G . Network connections for are coloured in gray, management in purple, in dark green, and trunks between switches/routers are in orange. Analog RF is in blue.
  • Figure 3: Logical topology representing three different tenants running tests in parallel. Tenant 1 is running a conducted test on CU1 and DU1, Tenant 2 is running WG4 conformance for 2, and Tenant 3 is running a WG4 conformance test for 1 (radiated).