Key elements of the Juniper RIC include our Non-Real-Time (Non-RT) and Near-Real-Time (Near-RT) RICs and specialized applications called rApps and xApps. The Juniper Non-RT RIC enables greater-than-one-second control and policy guidance over the RAN elements and their resources through rApps. It also enables AI/ML capabilities for the RAN. The Non-RT RIC runs in the network operator’s cloud.
The Juniper Near-RT RIC is responsible for fast loop control of the RAN network functions. It provides less-than-one-second control over the RAN nodes and resources. It can host and deploy specialized xApps.
Juniper’s Non-RT RIC communicates with the Near-RT RIC over an A1 interface to provide policy-based guidance to the xApps running on the Near-RT RIC that optimizes RAN behavior for variables such as capacity, customer-specific service levels, and energy efficiency. Our Non-RT RIC uses long-term network data, such as performance metrics and enrichment data from external applications, to train and generate AI/ML-driven applications.
Juniper, along with its partners, provides O-RAN compliant xApps/rApps such as Tenant/Slice Aware Admission Control, RAN Slice SLA Assurance, Energy Efficiency, Traffic Steering, and Self-Organizing Networks (SON).