O-RAN testing, integration
and certification
O-RAN Global PlugFests
and Proofs of Concept
Resource from O-RAN EcoSystem Players
Next generation Open RAN research
Virtual exhibition of O-RAN implementations
Explore O-RAN
in the World
The nGRG plans to hold its 2nd workshop on February 16, 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic, complementing the O-RAN ALLIANCE F2F meetings running in that week.
Academic sphere represented by leading professors and scientists will meet with O-RAN ALLIANCE membership to talk about key topics for open RAN in 6G and challenges the research needs to address.
The workshop takes place on Thursday February 16, 2023, 8:30–18:00 CET in Vienna House by Wyndham Diplomat Prague hotel. It is co-located with the O-RAN ALLIANCE F2F meetings and is open to attend for the O-RAN ALLIANCE membership.
The next Generation Research Group (nGRG) is a research task force founded by the O-RAN ALLIANCE in June 2022.
Formed by members from major mobile operators, vendors from telecom, IT and DT industries, and well-known research institutes and universities around the world, nGRG takes the mission to leverage industry and academic 6G research efforts and determine how O-RAN will evolve to support 6G and beyond, considering regional research efforts, ITU-R, and 3GPP development.
nGRG defines O-RAN ALLIANCE’s 6G research agenda and key priorities, with the focuses to achieve O-RAN sustainability from 4G/5G to 6G and beyond and unify the 6G technology path to avoid incompatibility with other SDOs.
Through nGRG’s white papers, it will recommend appropriate actions to the development of next generation O-RAN.
Alex Jinsung Choi
Dr. Alex Jinsung Choi is Chairman of the O-RAN ALLIANCE and Senior Vice President, Group Technology and Head of T-Labs, which is the central Research & Development division of Deutsche Telekom. In addition, he is member of the Technology & Innovation management board, where he has responsibility for several strategic topics. Dr. Choi has been a thought leader for over 20 years in the mobile telecommunication industry & consumer electronics by driving forward key strategic and research topics in Telco and AI. Dr. Choi was the first Chairman of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) and previously served as CTO for SK Telekom. With the introduction of "NUGU", the first AI- based virtual assistant in Korea, Dr. Choi was influential in the development of AI solutions.
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Hans Schotten
Hans Schotten is full professor and director of the chair for Wireless Communication and Navigation of the University of Kaiserslautern. He is also a scientific director and member of the management board of the German Research Center for Artifical Intelligence (DFKI) where he heads the department for Intelligent Networks. Hans Schotten is coordinator of the Open6GHub and the 6G Platform Germany, the umbrella organization of the German 6G program. Before joining academia, he has held industry positions in Ericsson and Qualcomm. Since 2018, he is the chairman of the German Information Technology society ITG and member of the supervisory board of the German VDE. His research interests are in mobile and industrial communications, network security, and AI. Hans Schotten received his Diploma and PhD in Electrical Engineering from the RWTH Aachen University in 1990 and 1997, respectively.
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Abstract: The presentation will give the update on the status of work towards 6G from the European level 6G Flagship projects Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II.
Mikko Uusitalo
Mikko Uusitalo is Head of Research Department Radio Systems Research Finland at Nokia Bell Labs. Mikko is leading the European 6G Flagship projects Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II. He obtained a M.Sc. (Eng.) and Dr.Tech. in 1993 and 1997 and a B.Sc. (Economics) in 2003, all from predecessors of Aalto University. Mikko has been at Nokia since 2000 with various roles, including Principal Researcher and Head of International Cooperation at Nokia Research. Mikko is a founding member of the CELTIC EUREKA and WWRF.
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Abstract: Coarse and fine grained Reconfigurable Domain Specific Accelerators (DSA's) realized on fixed hardware have the potential to disrupt 5G/6G research and solutioning. A many-core runtime reconfigurable processor based on a Dataflow Model of Execution supports SIMD and MIMD workloads on same processor fabric - capable of realizing diverse and elastic 5G/6G AI-ML, DSP, and HPC (Digital Twins/Metaverse) like workloads. This enables an integrated approach for transitioning from research to production solutioning due to seamless scalability and ability to implement in any Distributed Unit (DU) that supports O-RAN AAL. In addition to the scalability, flexibility, and post silicon reconfiguration functionality enabled by Reconfigurable Dataflow Architecture - class leading Power, Performance, and cost-effective implementations can be realized for next generation 5G/6G infrastructure setups.
Nandy Soumitra
S. K. Nandy is a Professor of Computational and Data Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Over the years, he has graduated 28 Phds, 22 MSc.(Engg.) and over 100 Master’s students who have worked for their theses in the laboratory. His current research addresses important issues in micro-architectural and compiler optimizations for power and performance in many-core processors and runtime reconfigurable SoCs. All his research target massively parallel architectures/platforms for accelerating computations on the Edge and Core. Prof. Nandy has over 175 research publications in International Journals and Proceedings of International Conferences that highlight his research contributions.
Deepak Shapeti
Deepak Shapeti is a Deep Tech Innovator & Entrepreneur with 15 years of experience in productizing new technologies across emerging verticals like Drug Discovery, Medical Devices, Metaverse, Dynamic Realtime Reconfigurable Semiconductors. Current areas of work include software-hardware co-design, Domain specific architectures for Telecom, Healthcare, and HPC.
Deepak is currently the CEO at Morphing Machines Private Limited, and has a M.S. in Engineering from Stanford University, CA.
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Abstract: 5G is essential to enable virtually competitiveness in all sectors. As 5G deployments grow across Europe, current networks will not require only reliability, speed, mobility and security as main key driving factors but also others like capacity, ultra-low latency, machine connectivity and network slicing. Besides, current geopolitical situation has leaded to even give higher priority to energy efficiency, the networks need to run efficiently.
The evolution of the future networks beyond 5G will require fully interoperable networks across main domains. The Open Smart Network and Services working group under the 6G-IA works not only on defining a number of requirements where research and development in EU needs to take a leading role catalysed by all the industry players but also the status and challenges of current open networks.
Aitor Garcia
Aitor has a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Telecommunications Engineering and started his professional career in Vodafone Spain more than 18 years ago where he managed several strategic projects like the first RAN sharing agreement with Orange or the 4G launch in Spain. Aitor joined Vodafone Group in 2012 and became E2E Network Strategic Programmes Delivery Manager in 2016 driving technically the launch of Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G for Vodafone and supporting on a number of activities within the Telecom Infra Project Organisation. Aitor was appointed RAN Product Strategy and Planning manager in 2021, being responsible of the overall Open RAN and traditional vendor up to 5-year radio product planning and strategy, delivering RAN innovation and of shaping the total cost of ownership of the RAN evolution. In 2021, Aitor has managed the Open RAN vendor selection RFQ process for UK and he is currently chairing the Open Smart Network and Services working group under 6G-IA.
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Abstract: Mobile communication standards were developed for enhancing transmission and network performance by using more radio resources and improving spectrum and energy efficiency. How to effectively address diverse user requirements and guarantee everyone's Quality of Experience (QoE) remains an open problem. The Sixth Generation (6G) mobile systems will solve this problem by utilizing heterogenous network resources and pervasive intelligence to support everyone-centric customized services anywhere and anytime. In this talk, we first coin the concept of Service Requirement Zone (SRZ) on the user side to characterize and visualize the integrated service requirements and preferences of specific tasks of individual users. On the system side, we further introduce the concept of User Satisfaction Ratio (USR) to evaluate the system’s overall service ability of satisfying a variety of tasks with different SRZs. Then, we propose a network Artificial Intelligence (AI) architecture with integrated network resources and pervasive AI capabilities for supporting customized services with guaranteed QoEs. Finally, extensive simulations show that the proposed network AI architecture can consistently offer a higher USR performance than the cloud AI and edge AI architectures with respect to different task scheduling algorithms, random service requirements, and dynamic network conditions.
Yang Yang
Dr. Yang Yang, IEEE Fellow, is the Chief Scientist at Terminus Group, China, as well as the Chair for TG7 at 6G Alliance of Network AI (6GANA). He is an adjunct professor with the Department of Broadband Communication at Peng Cheng Laboratory and a Senior Consultant for Shenzhen Smart City Technology Development Group, China. Yang's research interests include multi-tier computing networks, 5G/6G systems, AIoT technologies, intelligent services and applications, and advanced wireless testbeds. He has published more than 300 papers and filed more than 120 technical patents in these research areas. He has been the Chair of the Steering Committee of Asia-Pacific Conference on Communications (APCC) from 2019 to 2021. Currently, he is serving the IEEE Communications Society as the Chair for 5G Industry Community and Chair for Asia Region at Fog/Edge Industry Community.
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Douglas Knisely, Qualcomm Technologies
Abstract: This talk explores a reference blueprint for implementation of a softwarized Open Source O-RAN Compliant architecture. We will describe the implementations of existing test platforms, US based OTIC(s) as part of the NSF platforms. We will also present some research challenges that can be explored on the aforementioned blueprint and research platforms.
Abhimanyu Gosain
Abhimanyu (Manu) Gosain is a Senior Director for Institute of Wireless Internet of Things at Northeastern University, Executive Director for Open6G, co-Chair for the FCC 6G Technology Advisory Council and Senior Advisor for NTIA and DoD OUSD R&E. He is in charge of setting strategic goals and the research agenda for a $100M public-private partnership for the NSF Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) program and $25M DARPA Colosseum program. He serves as a Board Member for the OpenAirInterface Software Alliance, Founding member for Magma Core Foundation, University representative for O-RAN Alliance, Telecom Infra Project, NextG Alliance and co-chair on organizing committee and program committees for 6GSymposium, EuCNC,IEEE InfoCom and ACM WinTech. His numerous professional publications and experience exemplify use-inspired basic research in the field of networking technologies such as 5G,6G, AI/ML, edge computing and Internet of Things. He is an IEEE Senior Member. He received his M.S. degree from Tufts University and M.B.A. from Boston University with High Honors.
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Mr. Douglas Knisely, Qualcomm, USA
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Abstract: R&I initiatives on 6G technologies are now starting in leading regions world-wide, with the first products and infrastructures expected by the end of this decade. In Europe, exploratory work on 6G started in 2020 with the Hexa-X flagship system project. The Smart Networks and Services (6G) initiative was also launched with the support of stakeholders and recently delivered a first batch of 35 exploratory projects aimed at preparing Europe for the 6G standardisation period expected to start mid of the decade. Those are aligned with a 6G vision targeting a step change in our ability to interact with the physical and human world, using massively digital representations and “twins” of the real world to intelligently sense and interact with it. It calls upon new technologies and architectures where native AI has a central role, whilst full programmability, real time data analytics, Terabit capacities and sub-millisecond response times, end to end security are needed to enable new critical and highly immersive applications . Moreover, new smart network technologies and architectures will need to drastically enhance sustainability of connectivity infrastructures to manage major traffic growth while keeping electromagnetic fields (EMF) under strict safety limits. These technologies will form the basis for a human- centric Next-Generation Internet (NGI) and address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as accessibility, limitless access and affordability of technology. At the same time, multiple developments in the , economic and industrial landscape are taking place, which are likely to have an impact on how 6G gets developed globally. Against this background, the presentation will outline how Europe is progressing towards 6G, with a focus on the technological, industrial, standardisation and international cooperation challenges to address.
Bernard Barani
Bernard Barani joined the European Commission (EC) in 1994 after 11 years as Communication engineer in industry and with ESA. In the EC, he has been steering EU wireless R&I for more than 20 years. He launched the EU 5G Public Private Partnership in 2013 and currently leads the definition and implementation with industry of the European R&I programme “Smart Networks and Services (6G)” covering the 2021-2027 time frame. Main field of responsibilities covers strategic R&D planning and implementation for beyond 5G/6G systems, standardisation, international cooperation, demonstration and pilot programmes.
He is vice chairman of the Steering committee of the EUCNC conference, the showcasing event for telecom research sponsored by the EU. He has an engineering degree from the “Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications de Bretagne” and is also a Fellow of WWRF (Wireless World Research Forum).
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Abstract: 5G NR is continuing its evolution to meet the demand for improved performance and support of newly emerging use cases. The current on-going evolution, namely, 5G-Advanced is expected to serve as a steppingstone towards 6G. This talk starts with an overview of 5G-Advanced features, and service and technology trends towards 6G, and discusses the enabling technologies for 6G radio access as expected from 5G-Advanced.
Dr. Young-Jo Ko
YOUNG-JO KO received the B. S., M. S. and Ph. D. degrees in physics from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea, in 1992, 1994, and 1998, respectively. He joined Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) in March 1998. Since 2002, he has been working on mobile communications at ETRI. From 2005 to 2014, he participated in the development of early versions of LTE/LTE-Advanced systems and also participated in the 3GPP standardization of LTE/LTE-Advanced as a main delegate of ETRI. He is currently Director of 6G Wireless Technology Research Section in Mobile Communication Research Division at ETRI and serves as Chairman of 6G Technology Committee of 5G Forum in Korea. His research interests include 5G New Radio and beyond, and 6G technologies, with his main focus on the physical layer aspects of radio access.
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Abstract: The NextGA is an alliance of private sector, government and academia and its goal is to position North America as the global leader in Next G technologies. It is a comprehensive model built on the North American 6G technology developments, R&D needs, standards goals and market readiness.
In this talk, we will give a brief overview of the NextGA structure and then introduce the North America’s six audacious goals serving as NGA’s compass. Next, we will discuss the NextGA’s white papers (WPs) published so far and also work in progress from the various working groups. Finally, we will connect NGA’s research agenda to government and research communities, explore partnerships with key American stakeholders and how we are advancing 6G global collaboration in key areas.
Amitava Ghosh
Amitava Ghosh is a Nokia Fellow and Head, Radio Interface Group at Nokia Bell Labs. He joined Motorola in 1990 after receiving his Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from Southern Methodist University, Dallas. Since joining Motorola he worked on multiple wireless technologies starting from IS-95, cdma-2000, 1xEV-DV/1XTREME, 1xEV-DO, UMTS, HSPA, 802.16e/WiMAX and 3GPP LTE. He has 60 issued patents, has written multiple book chapters and has authored numerous external and internal technical papers. He is currently working on 5G Evolution and 6G technologies. His research interests are in the area of digital communications, signal processing and wireless communications. He is the recipient of 2016 IEEE Stephen O. Rice and 2017 Neal Shephard prize, member of IEEE Access editorial board and co-author of the book titled “Essentials of LTE and LTE-A”.
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Muriel Médard
Muriel Médard is the NEC Professor of Software Science and Engineering in the School of Engineering at MIT and a Professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Department at MIT. She leads the Network Coding and Reliable Communications Group in the Research Laboratory for Electronics at MIT and Chief Scientist for Steinwurf, which she has co-founded. She obtained three Bachelors degrees, as well as her M.S. and Sc.D, all from MIT. Muriel is a Member of the US National Academy of Engineering (elected 2020), a Member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (elected 2022), a Fellow of the US National Academy of Inventors (elected 2018), American Academy of Arts and Sciences (elected 2021), and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (elected 2008). She holds Honorary Doctorates from the Technical University of Munich (2020) and from The University of Aalborg (2022).
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Abstract: In this talk, I will lay out important challenges and opportunities we need to address to ensure a prosperous development of 6G and the underpinning ecosystem. I will leverage on some important trends to argue for these challenges to be addressed in a holistic manner. The talk is a call-to-action for academia and industry to deliver on the 6G promise, whilst leveraging on important design-principles of 5G and enabling next-generation societal use-cases.
Mischa Dohler
Mischa Dohler is now VP Emerging Technologies at Ericsson Inc. in Silicon Valley, working on cutting-edge topics of 6G, Metaverse, XR, Quantum and Blockchain. He serves on the Technical Advisory Committee of the FCC and on the Spectrum Advisory Board of Ofcom. He is a Fellow of the IEEE, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET); and a Distinguished Member of Harvard Square Leaders Excellence. He is a serial entrepreneur with 5 companies; composer & pianist with 5 albums on Spotify/iTunes; and fluent in several languages. He has had ample coverage by national and international press and media, and is featured on Amazon Prime.
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Javan Erfanian
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Mr. Ravi Sinha, Reliance Jio, USA
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Gerd Zimmermann
Gerd Zimmermann is currently acting as senior expert/architect at Group Technology department of Deutsche Telekom AG (DTAG). He is representing DTAG in 3GPP RAN3 WG as well as in O-RAN WG5 and nGRG. Gerd received the diploma and PhD in communication engineering from University of Kaiserslautern (Germany). Since 1994 he is involved in different positions inside Deutsche Telekom Group (incl. T-Systems and T-Labs) in diverse R&D projects with focus on wireless technologies and networks as well as participating in regulatory and standardization bodies. Since 2012 he is active in the 5G topic, e.g., in international R&I projects like EU FP7 METIS as well as 5G-PPP METIS-II, 5G NORMA, and 5G-MoNArch. At present, he is member of DTAG’s internal 6G tribe and participating in the KOMSENS-6G project on Joint Communication & Sensing funded by German BMBF.
Ian Wong
Dr. Ian C. Wong has been in the wireless field for over 20 years and is presently the Director of RF and Wireless Architecture in the CTO office at VIAVI Solutions, where he is leading RF and wireless technology strategy, standards, and architectures. He is also the current co-chair of the Test and Integration Focus Group (TIFG) in the O-RAN ALLIANCE.
Hannu Flinck
Hannu Flinck is Senior Research Project Manager and 6G Architect with Nokia Strategy & Technology, Espoo, Finland. He is participating to O-RAN ngRG work in architecture research stream as co-chair. He is well experienced in networking technologies and an active participant to IETF and IRTF working groups in the area of mobility, transport and previously also in the routing research area. He is author of a number conference papers and journal articles dealing mobile edge computing, SDN based mobility architectures, and content delivery in mobile networks.
Joakim Bergström
Joakim Bergström is a Senior Expert in RAN Standardization at Business Area Networks with Ericsson. He has more than 20 years of experience in RAN related standardization work and has been deeply involved in the creation of 3G, 4G and 5G radio access technologies. With a focus on RAN he has also worked in the areas of O&M, Transport, Spectrum regulations and Open Source. He holds an M.Sc. in electrical engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden and joined Ericsson in 1998.
