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1. Toward Next Generation Open Radio Access Networks--What O-RAN Can and Cannot Do!

   https://doi.org/10.1109/MNET.108.2100659  

   Abdalla, Aly S.; Upadhyaya, Pratheek S.; Shah, Vijay K.; Marojevic, Vuk (July 2022, IEEE Network)

   The open radio access network (O-RAN) describes an industry-driven open architecture and interfaces for building next generation RANs with artificial intelligence (AI) controllers. We circulated a survey among researchers, developers, and practitioners to gather their perspectives on O-RAN as a framework for 6G wireless research and development (R&D). The majority responded in favor of O-RAN and identified R&D of interest to them. Motivated by these responses, this paper identifies the limitations of the current O-RAN specifications and the technologies for overcoming them. We recognize end-to-end security, deterministic latency, physical layer real-time control, and testing of AI-based RAN control applications as the critical features to enable and discuss R&D opportunities for extending the architectural capabilities of O-RAN as a platform for 6G wireless. 

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2. OpenAI dApp: An Open AI Platform for Distributed Federated Reinforcement Learning Apps in O-RAN

   https://doi.org/10.1109/FNWF58287.2023.10520642  

   Kouchaki, Mohammadreza; Abdalla, Aly S.; Marojevic, Vuk (November 2023, IEEE)

   The evolution of open architectures for Radio Ac-cess Networks (RANs) is revolutionizing network management and optimization. This transformation, fostered by O-RAN, expedites data acquisition and examination by exploiting newly established open interfaces. Moreover, it has led to the rise of near real-time RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs), instigating a wave of AI-driven applications, or xApps, that employ Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) methods. Nevertheless, deploying xApps as centralized applications presents substantial challenges, such as handling vast data transactions, potential delays, and security vulnerabilities, which are notably prominent within the multifaceted, decentralized, multivendor, and trustless nature of open networks. To alleviate these predicaments, a transition from centralized apps operating in near real-time to distributed real-time apps is imperative for augmented security and efficiency. This paper addresses these complexities by introducing an open platform that integrates a federated reinforcement learning algorithm to operate as distributed Apps (dApps) within the next-generation O-RAN architecture. We present evaluation results in a specific test environment. 

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3. ZTRAN: Prototyping Zero Trust Security xApps for Open Radio Access Network Deployments

   https://doi.org/10.1109/MWC.001.2300419  

   Abdalla, Aly S; Moore, Joshua; Adhikari, Nisha; Marojevic, Vuk (April 2024, IEEE Wireless Communications)

   The open radio access network (O-RAN) offers new degrees of freedom for building and operating advanced cellular networks. Emphasizing on RAN disaggregation, open interfaces, multi-vendor support, and RAN intelligent controllers (RICs), O-RAN facilitates adaptation to new applications and technology trends. Yet, this architecture introduces new security challenges. This article proposes leveraging zero trust principles for O-RAN security. We introduce zero trust RAN (ZTRAN), which embeds service authentication, intrusion detection, and secure slicing subsystems that are encapsulated as xApps. We implement ZTRAN on the open artificial intelligence cellular (OAIC) research platform and demonstrate its feasibility and effectiveness in terms of legitimate user throughput and latency figures. Our experimental analysis illustrates how ZTRAN's intrusion detection and secure slicing microservices operate effectively and in concert as part of O-RAN Alliance's containerized near-real time RIC. Research directions include exploring machine learning and additional threat intelligence feeds for improving the performance and extending the scope of ZTRAN. 

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4. End-to-End O-RAN Security Architecture, Threat Surface, Coverage, and the Case of the Open Fronthaul

   https://doi.org/10.1109/MCOMSTD.0001.2200047  

   Abdalla, Aly_Sabri; Marojevic, Vuk (March 2024, IEEE Communications Standards Magazine)

   O-RAN establishes an advanced radio access network (RAN) architecture that supports inter-operable, multi-vendor, and artificial intelligence (AI) controlled wireless access networks. The unique components, interfaces, and technologies of O-RAN differentiate it from the 3GPP RAN. Because O-RAN supports 3GPP protocols, currently 4G and 5G, while offering additional network interfaces and controllers, it has a larger attack surface. The O-RAN security requirements, vulnerabilities, threats, and countermeasures must be carefully assessed for it to become a platform for 5G Advanced and future 6G wireless. This article presents the ongoing standardization activities of the O-RAN Alliance for modeling the potential threats to the network and to the open fronthaul interface, in particular. We identify end-to-end security threats and discuss those on the open fronthaul in more detail. We then provide recommendations for countermeasures to tackle the identified security risks and encourage industry to establish standards and best practices for safe and secure implementations of the open fronthaul interface. 

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5. O-RAN Perspective on Industrial Internet of Things: A SWOT Analysis

   https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIT58465.2023.10143032  

   Rahman, Talha Faizur; Zhang, Minglong; Marojevic, Vuk (June 2023, 2023 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT))

   Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to connect machines and enable an ecosystem for new applications and use cases. One such use case is industrial loT (1IoT) that refers to the application of loT in industrial settings especially engaging instrumentation and control of sensors and machines with Cloud technologies. Industries are counting on the fifth generation (5G) of mobile communications to provide seamless, ubiquitous and flexible connectivity among machines, people and sensors. The open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture adds additional interfaces and RAN intelligent controllers that can be leveraged to meet the IIoT service requirements. In this paper, we examine the connectivity requirements for IIoT that are dominated by two industrial applications: control and monitoring. We present the strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat (SWOT) analysis of O-RAN for IIoT and provide a use case example which illustrates how O-RAN can support diverse and changing IIoT network services. We conclude that the flexibility of the O-RAN architecture, which supports the latest cellular network standards and services, provides a path forward for next generation IIoT network design, deployment, customization, and maintenance. It offers more control but still lacks products-hardware and software-that are exhaustively tested in production like environments. 

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