YO-RAN (Yorkshire Open RAN) brings together two leading Yorkshire universities with a number of suppliers and network operators, several based in and around Yorkshire, to develop Open RAN components and a RIC for Neutral Host Networks
Total project funding amount: £4,795,662
Project date(s):
Category: Government Funded
Location(s): York, Sheffield, Shipley (Bradford), Leeds, Ipswich, Reading
Status: Open
Project Summary
YO-RAN (Yorkshire Open RAN) brings together two leading Yorkshire universities with a number of suppliers and network operators, several based in and around Yorkshire, to develop Open RAN components and a RIC for Neutral Host Networks – another development which allows the same infrastructure to be used by multiple operators, and also by private or enterprise-based networks.
This requires in particular low-cost generic Radio Units with configurable multiband capabilities which are not currently available, and efficient fronthaul interfaces to connect them with suitable Distributed Units – all configurable via a RAN Intelligent Controller which can respond to the dynamic needs of all the network users.
Open-RAN is a new approach for Radio Access Networks (RANs) – which consist of all the infrastructure including base stations and associated connections to allow a mobile phone to connect to the telecommunications network.
It creates an open network allowing different suppliers to provide different components, including the Radio Units (RUs) at the base stations and the Distributed Units (DUs) which process radio signals, creating a more open and competitive supplier “ecosystem”.
The RAN network is also virtualised so that different functions can be performed in different locations under the control of software called the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC).
York’s Professor Alister Burr said “We’re delighted to be leading this important initiative, bringing together two leading Yorkshire universities and a number of significant operators and suppliers. We’re particularly pleased that several of our industrial partners are also based here in the north of England. Open-RAN has become an important focus of our research in both Universities, and also fits well with the expertise of our industrial partners. We hope that YO-RAN will help lay the foundations of a new industry in our region especially, as well as strengthening the UK telecoms capability and UK telecoms research and development.”
Organisations participating in this project
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a member of the Russell Group of leading UK research universities. Our outstanding performance for excellent teaching and research, as part of a genuinely global community, is consistently confirmed by international independent assessments.
Cellnex UK
Cellnex is Europe, and the UK’s largest and fastest-growing independent owner and operator of wire-less telecoms infrastructure and is integral to the successful roll-out of 5G.
Radio Design
Smarter Wireless
Slipstream Engineering Design
Slipstream Engineering Design Ltd is a Digital and Microwave RF design company providing engineering services to the Communication, Aerospace and Security industries.