Digital Twin for O-RAN Toward 6G
Huan X. Nguyen, Kexuan Sun, Duc To, Quoc‐Tuan Vien, Tuan Anh Le
Abstract
In future wireless systems beyond 5G and 6G, addressing diverse applications with varying quality requirements is essential. Open radio access network (O-RAN) architectures offer the potential for dynamic resource adaptation based on traffic demands. However, achieving real-time resource orchestration remains a challenge. Simultaneously, digital twin (DT) technology holds promise for testing and analyzing complex systems, offering a unique platform for addressing dynamic operation and automation in D-RAN architectures. Yet, developing DTs for complex 5G/6G networks poses challenges, including data exchanges, ML model training data availability, network dynamics, processing power limitations, interdisciplinary collaboration needs, and lack of standardized methodologies. This article provides an overview of D-RAN architecture, and its trends and challenges, proposing the DT concepts for O-RAN with solution examples showcasing its integration into the framework.