Table of contents : Cover Table of Contents Series Page Title Page Copyright Page List of Contributors Foreword Preface About the Authors Definitions / Acronyms 1 The Evolution of RAN 1.1 Introduction 1.2 RAN Architecture Evolution 1.3 The Case for Open RAN 1.4 6G and the Road Ahead 1.5 Conclusion Bibliography 2 Open RAN Overview 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Open RAN Architecture 2.3 Open RAN Cloudification and Virtualization 2.4 RAN Intelligence 2.5 Fronthaul Interface and Open Transport 2.6 Securing Open RAN 2.7 Open Source Software 2.8 RAN Automation and Deployment with CI/CD 2.9 Open RAN Testing 2.10 Industry Organizations 2.11 Conclusion Bibliography 3 O‐RAN Architecture Overview 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Near‐RT RIC Architecture 3.3 Non‐RT RIC Architecture 3.4 SMO Architecture 3.5 Other O‐RAN Functions and Open Interfaces 3.6 Conclusion Bibliography 4 Cloudification and Virtualization 4.1 Virtualization Trends 4.2 Openness and Disaggregation with vRAN 4.3 Cloud Deployment Scenarios 4.4 Unwinding the RAN Monolith 4.5 Orchestration, Management, and Automation as Key to Success 4.6 Summary Bibliography 5 RAN Intelligence 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Challenges and Opportunities in Building Intelligent Networks 5.3 Background on Machine Learning Life Cycle Management 5.4 ML‐Driven Intelligence and Analytics for Non‐RT RIC 5.5 ML‐Driven Intelligence and Analytics for Near‐RT RIC 5.6 E2 Service Models for Near‐RT RIC 5.7 ML Algorithms for Near‐RT RIC 5.8 Near‐RT RIC Platform Functions for AI/ML Training 5.9 RIC Use Cases 5.10 Conclusion Bibliography 6 The Fronthaul Interface 6.1 The Lower‐Layer Split RAN 6.2 Option 8 Split – CPRI and eCPRI 6.3 Option 6 Split – FAPI and nFAPI 6.4 Option 7 Split – O‐RAN Alliance Open Fronthaul 6.5 Conclusions Bibliography 7 Open Transport 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Requirements 7.3 WDM Solutions 7.4 Packet‐Switched Solutions 7.5 Management and Control Interface 7.6 Synchronization Solutions 7.7 Testing 7.8 Conclusion Bibliography 8 O‐RAN Security 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Zero Trust Principles 8.3 Threats to O‐RAN 8.4 Protecting O‐RAN 8.5 Recommendations for Vendors and MNOs 8.6 Conclusion Bibliography 9 Open RAN Software 9.1 Introduction 9.2 O‐RAN Software Community (OSC) 9.3 Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) 9.4 Other Open‐Source Communities 9.5 Conclusion Bibliography 10 Open RAN Deployments 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Network Architecture 10.3 Network Planning and Design 10.4 Network Deployment 10.5 Conclusion Bibliography 11 Open RAN Test and Integration 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Testing Across the Network Life Cycle 11.3 O‐RAN ALLIANCE Test and Integration Activities 11.4 Conclusion Bibliography 12 Other Open RAN Industry Organizations 12.1 Telecom Infra Project 12.2 Trials and Deployments 12.3 Small Cell Forum 12.4 3rd Generation Partnership Project 12.5 Open RAN Policy Coalition 12.6 Conclusion Bibliography Index End User License Agreement