The HiPer-RAN (Highly Intelligent, Highly Performing RAN) project, spearheaded by the University of Surrey, is a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionising the UK’s mobile telecommunications infrastructure. This ambitious project created innovations solving key challenges in software automation and efficiency, positioning the country at the forefront of next-generation network technology. At its core, HiPer-RAN developed a scalable, secure, and highly efficient Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (RIC), alongside cutting-edge software automation to drive enhanced performance in mobile networks.
AWTG’s involvement in HiPer-RAN plays a pivotal role in advancing connectivity solutions for the UK telecoms sector. As the technical work packages lead for the project, AWTG is instrumental in refining and enhancing the RIC framework, facilitating the development of innovative xApps and rApps that will automate network management. By enabling smarter, more efficient systems, AWTG helps create a foundation for a more reliable and flexible network, which is crucial as the demand for high-performance, low-latency communication systems grows.
The project is built around a holistic approach to network innovation, encompassing everything from the highest layers of the RAN architecture to the physical layer. This comprehensive strategy aims to deliver tangible, system-level benefits by developing an open platform capable of hosting diverse, software-based intelligence. With the ability to adapt to different providers’ technologies, HiPer-RAN will drive forward the next generation of (m)MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) technologies and deliver substantial improvements in performance, capacity, and energy efficiency. The development of an energy-aware, RIC-integrated physical layer also holds great promise for reducing the environmental impact of mobile networks while maintaining top-tier performance.
One of the standout features of HiPer-RAN is its focus on AI-driven conflict resolution for automated network management. As multiple applications (xApps/rApps) are often developed by different companies, ensuring they work seamlessly together is a key challenge. The project tackles this through intelligent AI solutions designed to identify and resolve conflicting decisions, ensuring the efficient operation of the network. The project implemented a comprehensive cybersecurity framework to protect the network from malicious attacks, further enhancing the resilience and security of the entire system.
By leveraging advanced Radio Resource Management (RRM) techniques, HiPer-RAN enabled intelligent features like admission control and radio slicing, improving the overall efficiency of network operations. The project optimised scheduling and resource management through novel solutions that exploit both conventional and next-generation mMIMO processing, ensuring that both capacity and energy usage are maximized. Through these innovations, HiPer-RAN will establish a new benchmark for Open-RAN performance, driving the evolution of mobile networks.
With a £7.8 million research grant from the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), HiPer-RAN is not just an academic exercise but a vital step in realising a more connected, efficient, and future-proof telecommunications ecosystem. The collaboration between AWTG, the University of Surrey, and other industry leaders, such as BT, Juniper Networks, Keysight Technologies UK, Lime Microsystems, Viavi and Virgin Media O2, ensures that this project will leave a lasting impact on the industry, creating scalable, reliable, and energy-efficient solutions for the networks of tomorrow.