# Toward Next Generation Open Radio Access Network--What O-RAN Can and Cannot Do!

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2111.13754 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2111.13754/

## Key facts

- Cited by 18 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 26 Nov 2021.

## Built on by (most cited first, 18 of 18)

- [LLM-hRIC: LLM-empowered Hierarchical RAN Intelligent Control for O-RAN](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.18062/) (2025)
- [Actor-Critic Network for O-RAN Resource Allocation: xApp Design, Deployment, and Analysis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.04604/) (2022)
- [Safe and Accelerated Deep Reinforcement Learning-based O-RAN Slicing: A Hybrid Transfer Learning Approach](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.07265/) (2023)
- [ML-Enabled Open RAN: A Comprehensive Survey of Architectures, Challenges, and Opportunities](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.01239/) (2026)
- [Intelligent Closed-loop RAN Control with xApps in OpenRAN Gym](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.14877/) (2022)
- [FROST: Towards Energy-efficient AI-on-5G Platforms -- A GPU Power Capping Evaluation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.11131/) (2023)
- [Generative AI for O-RAN Slicing: A Semi-Supervised Approach with VAE and Contrastive Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.08861/) (2024)
- [OpenRANet: Neuralized Spectrum Access by Joint Subcarrier and Power Allocation with Optimization-based Deep Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.12964/) (2024)
- [6G Communication Networks Enabling Embodied Agents: Architecture and Prototype](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.23263/) (2026)
- [AI-Native Closed-Loop Security for 6G-Enabled Cyber-Physical Systems: From Edge Detection to Network-Wide Mitigation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.08173/) (2026)
- [Confounding-Valid Conformal Inference for Counterfactual KPIs in Wireless Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.05073/) (2026)
- [Need of 6G for the Metaverse Realization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.03386/) (2022)
- [Federated Neuroevolution O-RAN: Enhancing the Robustness of Deep Reinforcement Learning xApps](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.12812/) (2025)
- [RL-Driven Security-Aware Resource Allocation Framework for UAV-Assisted O-RAN](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.18084/) (2025)
- [Next Generation Intelligent Low-Altitude Economy Deployments: The O-RAN Perspective](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.00257/) (2026)
- [Detecting Control and Response Events for AI-Enabled Radio Access Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.06459/) (2026)
- [Explainable Runtime Dependency Tracking for AI-RAN Conflict Monitoring](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.06663/) (2026)
- [AI-RAN on NPUs: Baseband Processing Without Baseband Chips](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.04224/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The open radio access network (O-RAN) describes an industry-driven open architecture and interfaces for building next generation RANs with artificial intelligence (AI) controllers. We circulated a survey among researchers, developers, and practitioners to gather their perspectives on O-RAN as a framework for 6G wireless research and development (R&D). The majority responded in favor of O-RAN and identified R&D of interest to them. Motivated by these responses, this paper identifies the limitations of the current O-RAN specifications and the technologies for overcoming them. We recognize end-to-end security, deterministic latency, physical layer real-time control, and testing of AI-based RAN control applications as the critical features to enable and discuss R&D opportunities for extending the architectural capabilities of O-RAN as a platform for 6G wireless.