Recently, the University of Malaga’s MobileNet: Mobile & Aerospace Networks Lab in its Telecommunications Institute selected Keysight Technologies’ RAN Intelligent Controller Test Solution (RICtest) to create models to test RAN intelligent controllers (RICs). The platform will address both near-real-time RIC and non-real-time RIC for advanced network intelligence management.
RICs are an important method of controlling Open RAN—the near-real-time RIC handles low-latency functionalities and the non-real-time RIC targets less time-sensitive operations.
To ensure interoperability, performance, and validation, testing RICs and their apps is essential. Using Keysight’s RICtest solution, MobileNet successfully created a platform to thoroughly test and train RIC xApps/rApps with advanced AI/ML algorithms.
The RICtest solution is flexible enough for precise evaluation and optimization of these algorithms in both open-loop and closed-loop scenarios. Keysight’s RICtest solution accurately emulates all E2 node types standardized by the O-RAN Alliance. It provides comprehensive testing of RIC functionalities at any scale supporting modeled measurements to test the AI and ML processing of xApps and rApps.
According to Sergio Fortes, Associate Professor, Telecoms+AI/ML Researcher for MobileNet/University of Málaga, “MobileNet continues to demonstrate its key position in 5G/6G and Open RAN R&D. The RICtest solution complements the extensive set of testbeds and network infrastructure of the MobileNet team (including complete end-to-end 5G, vRAN, and Open RAN networks), which are crucial for supporting cutting-edge R&D activities, always in close collaboration with the private sector.”
