ORIX: Orchestration of RIS with xApps for Smart Wireless Factory Environments

TL;DR

ORIX addresses the challenge of integrating RIS with O-RAN for smart wireless factories by delivering an end-to-end emulation platform that combines an E2 RIS service model, a 3GPP-based indoor factory channel simulator (E-GoSimRIS), and practical RIS optimization strategies. It defines an RIS extension to the E2 service model, leverages FlexRIC as the near-RT RIC, and uses the GoSimRIS-based simulator to evaluate RIS placement and control under finite-resolution phase control in indoor factory channels, with the key objective of maximizing the rate $R$ given by $R = \log_2\left(1 + \frac{P_t}{P_n} \left| \mathbf{h}_{BR}^T \mathbf{\Theta} \mathbf{h}_{RU} + h_{BU} \right|^2 \right)$ where $\mathbf{\Theta}$ is diagonal. The framework provides three RIS optimization methods—iterative element-wise search, quantized phase mapping, and a codebook approach—within a realistic, configurable InF environment, enabling realistic evaluation of RIS deployment strategies before physical deployment. By bridging theoretical RIS/O-RAN concepts with industrial feasibility, ORIX supports accelerated deployment of RIS-assisted private networks in SWFs and informs standardization and instrumentation needs for industrial 6G %

Abstract

The vision of a smart wireless factory (SWF) demands highly flexible, low-latency, and reliable connectivity that goes beyond conventional wireless solutions. Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-empowered communications, when integrated with the open radio access network (O-RAN) architectures, have emerged as a promising enabler to meet these challenging requirements. This article introduces the methodology for the orchestration of RIS with xApps (ORIX), bringing the RIS technology into the O-RAN ecosystem through xApp-based control for SWF environments. ORIX features three key components: an O-RAN-compliant RIS service model for dynamic configuration, an RIS channel simulator that supports 3GPP indoor factory models with multiple industrial scenarios, and practical RIS optimization strategies with finite-resolution control. Together, these elements provide a realistic end-to-end emulation platform for evaluating RIS placement, control, and performance in SWF environments prior to deployment. The presented case study demonstrates how ORIX enables the evaluation of achievable performance gains, exploration of trade-offs among key RIS design parameters, and identification of deployment strategies that balance system performance with practical implementation constraints. By bridging theoretical advances with industrial feasibility, ORIX lays the groundwork for RIS-assisted O-RAN networks to power next-generation wireless communication in industrial scenarios.

Figures (3)

• Figure 1: ORIX system architecture of the O-RAN integrated RIS-assisted indoor SWF environments.
• Figure 2: Assessment of the RIS design parameters for SWF environments
• Figure 3: InF-DH scene for the RIS-assisted SWF environment