We have already discussed that E2 is the interface between the Near RT RIC and Open RAN CU/DUs. This interface uses following two protocols.
- E2 Application Protocol (E2AP)
- E2 Service Model (E2SM)
E2AP Protocol establish the logical connection between to E2AP end-points (Near RT RIC and Open RAN CU/DU) provides services to implement an E2 Service Model – E2SM.
O-RAN Alliance WG3 has standardized following three service models and these service model are implemented as xApps in the Near-RT RICs.
- E2SM Key Performance Matrix (KPM)
- E2SM Network Interfaces (NI)
- E2SM RAN Control (RC)
In this article, we will discuss about E2SM RAN Control, E2SM RAN Control (RC), introduced in July 2021 in O-RAN Specifications. It implements control functionalities through E2 control procedures within the xApps and keeping the goal to optimize the radio resource management.
Good reading: