O-RAN

RLC Protocol in 5G NR

1. Introduction: Why RLC Still Matters in 5G NR When discussions around 5G performance arise, attention usually gravitates toward massive MIMO, beamforming, or spectrum efficiency. Yet, in real networks, user experience often degrades due to issues far removed from PHY or antennas. One of the most common root causes lies in the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer. In 5G NR, RLC sits between PDCP and MAC, just like LTE. But assuming it is “unchanged from LTE” is a mistake. While t

Venkateshu Kamarthi

Feb 114 min read

LDPC Coding in 5G NR

1. Introduction Channel coding is one of the most fundamental building blocks of the 5G NR physical layer. It directly determines: Block Error Rate (BLER) Throughput at high MCS Latency predictability UE power consumption Hardware scalability in gNB and UE Unlike LTE, which relied almost exclusively on Turbo codes, 5G NR deliberately replaced Turbo codes with Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes for data channels and Polar codes for control channels. LDPC Coding Chain in 5

Venkateshu Kamarthi

Jan 159 min read

Cloud & NFV(Network Function Virtualization) for 5G Networks

1.Introduction Cloud and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) for 5G networks represent a fundamental shift in how telecommunication networks are designed and managed. NFV decouples network functions from specialized hardware, allowing them to run as software on standard cloud infrastructure. This virtualization enables 5G networks to be more flexible, scalable, and cost-efficient by leveraging cloud-native principles and automation. It allows operators to dynamically alloca

Venkateshu Kamarthi

Dec 6, 20259 min read

RAN Intelligence with xApps and rApps

1. Introduction Radio Access Networks are becoming more software-driven, disaggregated, and automation-centric. To handle the complexity of dense deployments, Massive MIMO, spectrum fragmentation, and diverse traffic profiles, operators are moving toward intelligent control loops in the RAN.This is where O-RAN Alliance’s RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) architecture—featuring rApps (non-real time, >1 second) and xApps (near-real time, 10 ms–1 s)—comes into play. These applica

Venkateshu Kamarthi

Nov 21, 202518 min read

5G gNB CU/DU/RU Split Architecture & Interfaces

1) Introduction The 5G NR gNB split architecture divides the base station into functional entities — Central Unit (CU) , Distributed Unit (DU) , and Radio Unit (RU) — to optimize deployment flexibility, scalability, and performance. This functional split enables c entralized control and distributed radio processing, allowing operators to balance latency-sensitive tasks at the edge (DU/RU) with higher-layer functions centralized (CU). The split reduces fronthaul bandwidth dem

Venkateshu Kamarthi

Nov 13, 202515 min read

O-DU ↔ O-RU Interoperability Troubleshooting (O‑RAN WG4 C/U, S & M Planes)

O-DU ↔ O-RU Interoperability Troubleshooting (O-RAN WG4 C/U, S & M Planes) focuses on identifying and resolving functional and timing mismatches between the Distributed Unit (O-DU) and Radio Unit (O-RU) across the Open Fronthaul interface defined by O-RAN Working Group 4. It provides a systematic approach to diagnosing issues in the Control/User Plane (C/U), Synchronization Plane (S), and Management Plane (M)—the three pillars of inter-vendor interoperability. The guide emph

Venkateshu Kamarthi

Nov 6, 202514 min read

O-RAN Radio Unit (O-RU)

Introduction O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network) represents a paradigm shift in mobile network design, transforming traditional, vendor-locked RAN systems into open, interoperable, and intelligent ecosystems. It disaggregates hardware and software components, virtualizes RAN functions, and introduces open interfaces and AI/ML-driven automation for optimization and orchestration . The O-RAN architecture decouples the traditional base station into: O-CU (Central Unit): Located

Venkateshu Kamarthi

Oct 19, 20259 min read