SD-RAN™ is an open software-based split RAN and a optional building block of Aether. It includes a near real-time RIC (nRT-RIC) and a set of exemplar xApps. The nRT-RIC is cloud native and builds on ONF’s well established open source ONOS SDN Controller.SD-RAN leverages and supports the O-RAN architecture. As the O-RAN specifications evolve, SD-RAN will adopt them. As the SD-RAN project creates new functionality, all extensions and learnings will be contributed back to the O-RAN, informing future specifications.
In February 2024, the Aether project, which includes SD-RAN, moved to the Linux Foundation and is continuing to evolve. Access the latest information and about Aether and SD-RAN and learn how to join our vibrant community on the “Aether Project” website:
Berlin SD-RAN Trial
Mobile RAN – Past and Present
Mobile RAN networks have historically been implemented in vendor proprietary base stations. Operators would like to see interoperable RAN components, and to have control over spectrum optimization and end-user experience.
Operators, through the O-RAN consortium, are advocating for a disaggregation of RAN networks into interoperable RU, DU, CU components
O-RAN Architecture
A near real-time RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller) is integral to the O-RAN architecture. The nRT-RIC supports xApps responsible for advanced functions (like handover) that historically have been opaque vendor proprietary functions embedded in the base stations.
The SD-RAN project is building an open source nRT-RIC and exemplar xApps to accelerate the adoption of the O-RAN architecture and the availability of interoperable O-RAN components.
µONOS RIC
At the heart of ONF’s SD-RAN architecture is the µONOS RIC, based on ONOS, the leading open source SDN control plane for operators.
ONOS RIC is a cloud-native, carrier-grade SDN controller that enables:
- Ease in scalability
- High performance
- High availability
- Support for multi-vendor equipment
The µONOS RIC uses a microservices architecture
that includes the following elements:
- Certificate Manager
- Topology Manager
- Configuration Manager
- RAN Control Manager
- Distributed Store
A Deeper Dive into SD-RAN
SD-RAN is ONF’s exemplar platform for 3GPP compliant software-defined RAN and is consistent with the O-RAN architecture. It is cloud-native and leverages several of ONF’s well established platforms including the ONOS SDN Controller.
