National Science Foundation-Funded Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research Project Office Announces Launch of OpenAirX-Labs (OAX) to Accelerate Development and Testing of an Open Source 5G Standalone Software Stack

The need for open source 5G software is becoming increasingly apparent as researchers seek to improve the development of the 5G mobile core, radio access network (RAN), and service management and orchestration systems. As networks evolve into more disaggregated and virtualized environments, there are significant opportunities for optimization and innovation in network operations. However, these opportunities have been largely limited to organizations with access to commercial software, which makes it difficult to expand the 5G innovation ecosystem.

OAX aims to meet this market challenge by introducing a benchmark, 5-fold implementation of 5G and by providing development and testing status in a number of identified indicators. In addition, OAX will maintain an inventory of various ecosystem solutions to promote enhanced collaboration and critical interoperability tests.

“The launch of OAX puts muscle not only behind US efforts to expand the capabilities and performance of 5G networks, but also behind technologies that will move the wireless industry beyond 5G,” said the director of PAWR’s technical program. Abhimanyu (Manu) Gosain. “By hosting OAX as part of the PAWR program, we also ensure that there is a clear path from software development to testing and prototyping of new software, hardware and wireless applications.”

OAX joins the PAWR program as part of a collection of facilities and resources located next to wireless test sites in Salt Lake City, Utah, West Harlem district c new York, and the area of ​​the research triangle of North Carolina. Placed in Northeastern University, OAX has developed a cloud package for continuous integration and development (CI / CD), reflecting the OpenAirInterface facilities in Eurecom in France, and provides a neutral, remotely accessible laboratory environment in North America designed to accelerate the development of a stable, compatible and working software stack. Once the initial development and testing is completed, the 5G open source software will be created as a new software profile on the PAWR wireless test sites. It will be provided to researchers for the ongoing study of 5G spectrum sharing, network automation and other advanced wireless technologies.

“A lot of thinking and hard work from the board, as well as the engineering teams of EURECOM and the OpenAirInterface Software Alliance (OSA) have been at the heart of the launch of OpenAirX-Labs,” he said. Raymond Knopp, President of the OpenAirInterface software alliance and professor at EURECOM. “From the very beginning, the Alliance has remained fully committed to creating the conditions for openness and thus to the adoption of the OAI worldwide. This includes the laser focus of developers from EURECOM, OSA and key community partners to achieve end-to-end 5G cores and RAN stacks that are complete, stable, easy to deploy and attractive to our collaborators and users. We see great opportunities ahead as OAI is now expanding through its American home, OAX Laboratories in North America. “

With the industrial push for Open RAN interfaces, OAX also promises to provide a vital resource for developing and testing interoperability specific to Open RAN deployment efforts. The PAWR program is already in close partnership with the Open RAN community, with POWDER and COSMOS – the PAWR test sites located in Salt Lake City and new York respectively – hosts the North American Open RAN plugfest events in 2020.

In addition to OAX, PAWR facilities and resources include Colosseum, the largest radio frequency emulator in the world. PAWR wireless test sites include: POWDER in Salt Lake Citywhich focuses on software-defined networks and massive MIMO research; SPACE in the West Harlem neighborhood of new Yorkfocused on programmable networks and innovations in optical backhaul; and AERPAW in the area of ​​the Research Triangle of North Carolinafocused on wireless communications for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS). The fourth PAWR platform, targeting broadband solutions in rural areas, will be announced later this month.

The PAWR program is managed by the PAWR project office, which is co-managed by US Ignite and Northeastern University. More information about OAX can be found at OAX website, and PAWR website.

Quotes of a partner company

“OAX will extend the availability of 5G to a whole ecosystem of innovators,” he said. Charles Schroeder, A colleague from NI. “NI is excited about the trend towards more open, software-defined platforms and what this means for the wireless research community, the industry and ultimately consumers.”

“Radisys has a strong, ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that accelerate the transformation of Open 5G,” he said. Munish Chhabra, Business Software and Services Manager, Radisys. “OpenAirX-Labs addresses the industry’s need for tested and validated solutions that ensure the interoperability of open source 5G RAN software solutions, and we are proud to participate in this critical initiative to ensure the commercialization of open source 5G software.”

“As a strong proponent of creating a high-quality reference architecture for 3GPP 5G RAN and Core Network protocols, interfaces and APIs, Qualcomm is excited to support the formation of OpenAirX-Labs,” he said. Ed Tideman, SVP, Engineering at Qualcomm. “The mission to expand the deployment of the Open Air Interface 5G stack with additional O&M features and capabilities essential to US government 5G research and development projects is vital to maintaining and growing government leadership and U.S. academic research in 5G (and beyond) technology. “

“As a long – term partner of Northeastern University and PAWR, InterDigital is excited to support the OpenAirX Labs initiative as a reflection of our commitment to both Open RAN and 6G, “said Laurent Depersin, Director of Home Experience Lab, InterDigital.” The formation of OAX will allow for new levels of collaboration and development forward for Open RAN ecosystems, an integral part of initiatives beyond 5G and 6G. “

About the PAWR Design Bureau (PPO)
The Advanced wireless exploration platforms The Project Office (PPO) manages a $ 100 million public-private partnership and oversees research platforms. PPO is co-managed by US Ignite and Northeastern University and funded by the National Science Foundation and the PAWR Industrial Consortium. PPO works closely with the wireless research community, local communities and industry, in part through the industry consortium, in the design, development, implementation and initial operations of research platforms.

CONTACT: PAWR Design Office, [email protected]

EASTERN Advanced Wireless Research Platforms (PAWR)

Related links

https://advancedwireless.org