Let’s check the main highlights if you don’t know about this big project.
The main focus of this project is creating an End-to-end Open RAN compliant, UK-developed 5G SA network. It’s a complete Open RAN 5G SA network. A compact modular radio base station supporting all bands in 5G NR Frequency Range 1.
The Portfolio set 3 Key Objectives
- Accelerate the development of high-performance 5G Open RAN solutions.
- Attract new 5G RAN suppliers to conduct R&D in the UK.
- Contribute to delivering the 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy.
The project’s main outcomes
- End-to-end Open RAN compliant, UK-developed 5G SA network
- A groundbreaking approach to Software Defined Radio, addressing flexibility and economies of scale.
- Ultra-flexible radio chipsets and radio boards, covering the entirety of 5G NR Frequency Range 1
- Support for maximal MIMO scaling and Massive MIMO performance, efficiency, and practicality enhancement addressing a vast range of high-performance scenarios.
The 5G Flex Higher Layer Architecture
Project’s Partners
There are different expertise from network operators, vendors, cloud providers, manufacturers, and testing companies to research arms.
The partner’s list:
AWTG LIMITED, LIME MICROSYSTEMS LTD, UNIVERSITY OF SURREY, VODAFONE, CommScope, Cambridgeshire County Council, Zain Saudi Arabia, VIAVI SOLUTIONS, Virgin Media O2, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC).
Project phases and implementation
- Started in 2022 with a Project Plan, Platform, and Hardware Design.
- Then, In parallel to HW development, work commenced on developing the SW elements of the project.
- The ORAN stack and required interfaces between CU, DU, and the 5G Core, analysis of the algorithms associated with MU-MIMO, the RIC’s capabilities, and the SMO’s functional requirements and base platform.
- Testing in the lab and integration.
- Field deployment and Final Product.