RFWhat is Non-RT RIC and Near-RT RIC in 5G O-RAN: differences
Advertisement
Introduction: Within the 5G O-RAN architecture, the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) is split into two major domains viz. Non-Real Time RIC and Near-Real Time RIC. Non-RT RIC performs AI/ML model training, policy management and network optimization with response times above 1 second, while Near-RT RIC executes real time control actions and xApps with latency between 10 milliseconds and 1 second. They are very essential for implementing AI/ML driven radio optimization. Let us discover difference between non-RT RIC and near-RT RIC with respect to 5G O-RAN.
What is Non-RT RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller)
Non-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC) operates in the management and orchestration layer of the O-RAN architecture, typically within the Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework. It functions on a time scale greater than one second and focuses on long-term network optimization, policy management, analytics, and AI/ML model training.
The Non-RT RIC provides guidance and policies to the Near-RT RIC through the A1 interface, helping shape how near-real time control decisions are made. Its main role is to enable smarter, data driven network behavior by learning from historical trends, user patterns, and performance data to improve efficiency, capacity, and user experience across the network.
What is Near-RT RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller)
Near-Real Time RIC (Near-RT RIC) operates closer to the radio layer and handles network optimization and control in near real time (10 ms to 1 second). It interacts directly with O-DUs and O-CUs via the E2 interface, running applications called xApps that perform dynamic radio resource management, mobility control, interference mitigation and load balancing.
The Near-RT RIC allows the network to adapt quickly to changing conditions, such as user movement or traffic spikes, improving spectral efficiency and quality of service. Together, it bridges the gap between AI-driven policy decisions from the Non-RT RIC and time critical radio control at the edge.
Difference between Non-RT RIC and Near-RT RIC
| Aspect | Non-Real-Time RIC (Non-RT RIC) | Near-Real-Time RIC (Near-RT RIC) |
|---|---|---|
| Timescale/Latency | Operates on slower control loops (>=1 sec) | Faster Control Loops (Approx. 10 ms to 1 seconds) |
| Main function | Long term optimization, analytics, model training (AL/ML) , rApps that generate strategies etc. | Real time/near real time execution of policies from non-RT RIC, xApps that do load balancing, resource allocation, interference mitigation etc. |
| Deployment location | Typically centralized, part of SMO, often in central cloud or central data centers | Deployed closed to edge or regional cloud/ near RAN/ near DU/CU nodes in order to meet tight latency requirements |
| Interfaces used | A1 , O1, O2, internal interfaces for rApps | E2, A1, internal messaging/xApps framework |
| Scope | Broad network or multi-cell scope | More localized |
| Compute requirements | Often more compute needed for heavy data processing, ML model training, large scale analytics | Needs to be efficient for quick decision making |
| Responsibility | Focus: defines, refines policies, long term strategies | Focus: executes or enacts decisions that follow policies |
Conclusion: The non-RT RIC sets strategic direction with large scale analytics and policies and the near-RT RIC enacts those policies with low latency actions in the RAN. Together, they form the intelligence backbone of O-RAN, enabling automation, adaptation and efficient network operations in 5G and beyond.
Advertisement
