OCP-Telco-Evenstar Open 3GPP RU

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Welcome to the OCP Evenstar WIKI

Evenstar is a Worksteam within the OCP Strategic Initiatives Project.


Leadership

Scope

The Open Compute Project envisions a future where interoperability and supply chain issues are no longer a constraint, with open, modular, and interoperable radio units that when combined with the modular specification process forming a composable palette of solutions with commonality for wireless networks. By developing specifications for an open 5G/xG radio unit platform compatible with 3GPP standards and Open RAN specifications, OCP aims to unleash innovation, enable ecosystem growth and supply chain opportunity to reduce costs, and accelerate the deployment of next-generation wireless technologies. This vision encompasses an end to end open development pipeline, starting with open design across multiple domains like hardware and software, and embracing continuous integration standardization to enable a robust chain with multiple stakeholders bringing best in class software solutions, test/measurement, manufacturing, regulatory and interoperability testing through deployment and ongoing support.

Documents

Past Evenstar Events

Evenstar Open RU (Radio Unit) Charter

Introduction: The purpose of this charter is to establish the framework for an Open Compute Strategic Initiative focused on the collaborative design and development of a modular Open RU (Radio Unit) that is supportive of relevant xG technologies, and tailored for specific market segments . This project aims to deliver a multi vendor sup[ply chain for Open 5g radios fostering innovation, interoperability, and cost-effectiveness in the rapidly evolving field of 5G radio technologies.

Radio Design Principles: Set clear targets for high-performance specifications, ensuring that the Open RU meets or exceeds industry standards for data throughput, low latency, and reliability. Implement cost-effective design strategies without compromising the overall performance of the Open RU, encouraging efficient use of resources and materials. Explore economies of scale and collaborative procurement strategies to make the Open RU accessible and affordable for a broad range of users, including smaller operators in select market segments. Collaborate and partner with Open Air Interface (OAI), 3GPP, TIP, and Open RAN (O-RAN).

The following principles are essential but will be leveraged in this order of priority: Modularity: Design an Open RU with a modular architecture to allow for easy customization and upgradability including a variety of software, firmware, FPGA and hardware options. Establish and specify standardized interfaces and communication protocols to ensure interoperability. Ensure that key components, such as radio transceivers, antennas, and processing units, are interchangeable and can be upgraded independently.

Power Efficiency: Prioritize the development of power-efficient design principles for the Open RU, considering the environmental impact and energy consumption. Explore innovative technologies and techniques to optimize power usage without compromising performance, addressing the unique challenges of 5G networks.

Technology Agnosticism: Develop the Open RU to be agnostic to G technologies, supporting seamless integration with various generations of mobile networks (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G). Encourage compatibility with both standalone and non-standalone 5G deployments.

Community Engagement: Encourage a vibrant and diverse community of engineers, product developers, and 5G enthusiasts to collaborate on the project. Foster an open and inclusive environment for sharing ideas, code, and designs.

Documentation and Education: Develop comprehensive documentation to facilitate easy adoption and implementation of the Open RU. Provide educational resources and workshops to empower developers and engineers interested in contributing to or utilizing the Open RU.

Security and Reliability: Prioritize developing secure and reliable features, considering the unique challenges and requirements of 5G networks. Implement best practices for cybersecurity and resilience against potential threats.

Ecosystem Support: Collaborate with ecosystem partners, including telecom operators, equipment manufacturers, and software developers, to ensure broad industry support for the Open RU. Promote the development of third-party applications and services that enhance the functionality of the Open RU. Establish and maintain an open baseline test suite and test benches for manufacturing and prototype creation. Specifically for FPGA use this is critical.

Governance: Project Leadership: Establish a leadership committee responsible for overseeing the project's direction and ensuring alignment with the goals outlined in this charter. Encourage representation from diverse backgrounds to ensure a holistic approach to decision-making.

Contributor Guidelines: Define clear guidelines for contributors, following OCP code of conduct, OCP code review processes, and OCP contribution requirements. Implement a meritocratic system to recognize and reward valuable contributions to the project.

Transparent Decision-Making: Conduct open and transparent discussions for major decisions, involving the community in decision-making processes. Utilize public forums, mailing lists, and regular meetings to keep the community informed and engaged.

Conclusion: This Open RU Design Charter serves as a foundation for the collaborative development of a multi-vendor supply chain delivering a modular open radio unit , supportive of relevant xG technologies for diverse market segments. By fostering an open and inclusive environment, we aim to accelerate innovation, drive interoperability, and empower a global community of contributors. Together, we will shape the future of 5G radio technologies and products.