In September 2023, Juniper Networks joined a University of Surrey-led consortium that had secured a £7.8 million grant from the U.K.’s DSIT (Department of Science, Innovation and Transport). This generous grant fuels the innovative HiPer-RAN project, a bold initiative intended to transform the U.K.’s Open and Autonomous Radio Access Networks. By contributing our cutting-edge Juniper RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) and deep Open RAN (O-RAN/RIC expertise, Juniper is empowering revolutionary breakthroughs in software automation and efficiency. The result? A smarter, more robust mobile telecommunications infrastructure for the U.K., delivering tangible performance leaps.

Highly Intelligent, Highly Performing RAN (HiPer-RAN) project

HiPer-RAN is an ambitious project focused on the development of RIC and other automaton for O-RAN systems. At its core, HiPer-RAN is dedicated to crafting an open platform designed to support a wide array of software-driven intelligence across the entire RAN architecture, from the higher layers down to the physical layer. This endeavor aims to bring about tangible, system-level advantages, showcasing the transformative potential of O-RAN systems.

Leveraging the RIC advancements provided by the project’s partners, this initiative will focus on several key improvements. First, it will expand the scalability and enhance the low latency communication interfaces between RICs and other network components. The project will also create a security framework intended to bolster resilience while incorporating AI conflict resolution to effectively manage xApps/rApps. Finally, it will develop a new generation of xApps/rApps that utilize the improved RICs to automate network processes.

Validating advanced use cases to ensure reliability, optimal spectral efficiency, and effective resource allocation

As a part of this important initiative, Juniper Non-RT RIC and Near-RT RIC were deployed in the University of Surrey Lab and integrated with the Keysight RICTester and University of Surrey’s O-DU. This setup is used to enable and validate advanced use cases developed within the scope of HiPer-RAN, including Juniper’s RAN slice throughput assurance, AWTG’s carrier cell switch on/off, and Surrey’s MIMO rate adaptation and MU-MIMO scheduler optimization.

Juniper’s RAN slice throughput assurance use case monitors the slice specific performance metrics, as well as the resource utilization levels across the RAN for all slices. If an SLA violation is detected, it immediately initiates corrective actions by adjusting specific performance targets of the slice. The xApp within the RIC uses this performance target guidance to continuously update the resource allocation levels on the appropriate CUs and DUs in near-real time to conform to the specified SLA levels.

AWTG’s AI/ML-powered rApp dynamically manages cell activation/deactivation, optimizing energy use while maintaining network performance. Tested with Juniper Non-RT RIC and Keysight RICTest, it achieved up to 38% power savings, showcasing efficient AI-driven network management.

The University of Surrey has worked on developing advanced xApp solutions to optimize both multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) rate adaptation and multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) scheduler performance in RAN. The MIMO rate adaptation optimization xApp leverages machine learning to dynamically adjust data transmission rates based on channel state information, maximizing spectral efficiency and throughput while ensuring reliable communication for multiple users in a wireless network.

The MU-MIMO scheduler optimization xApp enhances network throughput by dynamically adjusting scheduler parameters based on real-time channel state information. The application leverages machine learning to optimize resource allocation across the spatial domain and improve overall system performance. Together, these solutions demonstrate the potential of machine learning to address the complexities of modern wireless networks, ensuring efficient and reliable connectivity.

Significant gains in scalability, performance, security, and interoperability

The key results and benefits of this research include significant enhancements to Juniper Non-RT and Near-RT RIC platforms, enabling support for innovative rApps and xApps. These improvements have led to remarkable gains in scalability, performance, security, and interoperability, all while ensuring compliance with O-RAN specifications. Notable enhancements include adoption of a newer A1 Application Protocol, the introduction of new R1 and RIC APIs, enabling retrieval and display of RIC and r/xApp performance metrics and faults, and advancements in security and scalability.

A new AI-based conflict management approach was also introduced to resolve conflicts between competing xApp/rApps that run for different key performance indicator (KPI) goals. Instead of merely mitigating conflicts between KPIs, such as coverage and capacity, the framework employs a mediation process that dynamically optimizes network performance based on real-time user density and environmental conditions. For example, in scenarios with high user density at the sector centre, the mediator might prioritize capacity, whereas in low-density or edge scenarios, coverage may be favored.

Addressing critical challenges in next-gen RAN deployment

The HiPer-RAN project has successfully addressed critical challenges in next-generation RAN deployment, including energy efficiency, security, and intelligent network control. By fostering an open, scalable, and AI-driven O-RAN ecosystem, the project lays the foundation for more flexible, cost-effective, and high-performance telecom networks. The HiPer-RAN project won the “Incremental Innovation” Future Networks Award from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and UKTIN for its significant, practical advancements in network technologies.

During the project, Juniper Networks made significant standardization contributions to the O-RAN ALLIANCE Near-RT RIC and E2 Interface Work Package (WP3). Juniper worked on individual and co-signed change requests (CRs) related with Query Service and JSON Schema corrections for new versions of WG3 E2SM-CCC specifications. HiPer-RAN project’s contributions to standardization and AI-driven optimization will enable U.K.’s leadership in next-generation mobile.

Juniper will also continue to collaborate with HiPer-RAN and other industry partners, and contribute to O-RAN specifications to foster innovative use cases and disruptive standardized O-RAN solutions. These efforts aim to deliver more intelligent, scalable, and secure RAN solutions, ultimately enhancing mobile network efficiency and user experience.