CIRRUS360 proposes to develop a new test method, using a digital twin of the integrated ran components to model the implementation (i.e., data movement, task scheduling) and find issues in the system

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded Cirrus360 LLC a $2,120,140 Project Grant under the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program (CFDA 11.038). The purpose of the grant is for Cirrus360 to develop a new test method that uses a digital twin of integrated radio access network (RAN) components to model system implementation and identify potential issues. Key activities include demonstrating efficient testing via formal traffic constraints and digital twinning, integrating identified bugs into the digital twin model, and creating documentation to enable stakeholders to use the new test method. The expected outcome is an automated test framework that addresses multivendor interoperability and deployment-specific optimizations for open RAN systems, which is critical for reducing the cost and complexity of RAN integration and testing. Cirrus360 will collaborate with partners to test the new method in their distributed unit (DU) and testbeds. The grant period of performance is from January 15, 2024 to July 14, 2026.

Activities

1) demonstrate highly efficient testing via formal traffic constraints and system digital twinning.2) demonstrate integration of identified bugs into the digital twin model.3) demonstrate the efficacy of added "negative" component and "positive" traffic constraints.4) demonstrate a chatgpt-type explanation of the results.5) create "how to" documents for different stakeholders in the testing ecosystem to use this test method.6) collaborate with partners to test drive the new method in their DU and testbed.

Expected outcomes

The automation enabled test framework proposed addresses efficient multivendor interoperability and testing of deployment specific optimizations that enables the goals of the o-ran alliance. Without the proposed enhancement to existing testing methods for ran, integration of multi-vendor components and testing for each network deployment for performance and security will continue to be crushingly expensive and stand in the way of the rapid innovations at scale that is the ultimate vision of open ran.

Intended beneficiaries

This project's proposed new testing methodologies for use with integrated ran components from different vendors will be beneficial to those involved with creating and maintaining effective o-ran systems including such target markets as defense, industry 4.0, agriculture, transportation, etc. Additionally, CIRRUS360 will work with a leading silicon partner, a test solutions partner, and a t & e testbed partner to facilitate adoption of this new test method.

Subrecipient activities

This project does not anticipate using subrecipients or subawards.