Non-RealTime RIC (NONRTRIC)

The Non-RealTime RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller) is an Orchestration and Automation function described by the O-RAN Alliance for non-real-time intelligent management of RAN (Radio Access Network) functions. The primary goal of the NONRTRIC is to support non-real-time radio resource management, higher layer procedure optimization, policy optimization in RAN, and providing guidance, parameters, policies and AI/ML models to support the operation of near-RealTime RIC functions in the RAN to achieve higher-level non-real-time objectives. NONRTRIC functions include service and policy management, RAN analytics and model-training for the near-RealTime RICs. The non-RealTime RIC project provides concepts, specifications, architecture and reference implementations as defined and described by the O-RAN Alliance architecture.

The NONRTRIC will communicate with near-RealTime RIC elements in the RAN via the A1 interface. Using the A1 interface the NONRTRIC will facilitate the provision of policies for individual UEs or groups of UEs; monitor and provide basic feedback on policy state from near-RealTime RICs; provide enrichment information as required by near-RealTime RICs; and facilitate ML model training, distribution and inference in cooperation with the near-RealTime RICs.

As shown in the Component Architecture diagram below, the NONRTRIC exists within the ONAP eco-system, leveraging existing infrastructure to support non-realtime control of the RAN (Radio Access Network).

All implementations will be demonstrated in open community labs to prove functionalities and to give feedback to the O-RAN working groups.