mlsanityData to 14 Oct 2026

AI-Native Open RAN for Non-Terrestrial Networks: An Overview

arXiv 2507.11935 ↗First posted 16 Jul 2025cs.NI cs.AI cs.SYcited by 1

Not on the map. Why?

Abstract (arXiv)

Non-terrestrial network (NTN) is envisioned as a critical component of Sixth Generation (6G) networks by enabling ubiquitous services and enhancing network resilience. However, the inherent mobility and high-altitude operation of NTN pose significant challenges throughout the development and operations (DevOps) lifecycle. To address these challenges, integrating NTNs with the Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) is a promising approach, since ORAN can offer disaggregation, openness, virtualization, and embedded intelligence. Despite extensive literature on ORAN and NTN, a holistic view of ORAN-based NTN frameworks is still lacking, particularly regarding how ORAN can effectively address the existing challenges of NTN. Furthermore, although artificial intelligence native (AI-Native) capabilities have the potential to enhance intelligence network control and optimization, their practical realization in NTNs has not yet been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, in this paper, we provide a comprehensive and structured overview of AI-Native ORAN for NTN. This paper commences with an in-depth review of the existing literature and subsequently introduces the necessary background about ORAN, NTN, and AI-Native for communication. After analyzing the DevOps challenges for NTN, we propose the orchestrated AI-Native ORAN-based NTN framework and discuss its key technological enablers. Finally, we present the representative use cases and outline the prospective future research directions of this study.

Key facts. Cited by 1 paper in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 36 of its 136 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 16 Jul 2025.

Builds on

36 of 136 references.

References · 36

  1. 2021Edge Artificial Intelligence for 6G: Vision, Enabling Technologies, and Applicationscited by 97
  2. 2023On the Road to 6G: Visions, Requirements, Key Technologies and Testbedscited by 77
  3. 2022Understanding O-RAN: Architecture, Interfaces, Algorithms, Security, and Research Challengescited by 55
  4. 2023Wireless Network Digital Twin for 6G: Generative AI as A Key Enablercited by 22
  5. 2020Open, Programmable, and Virtualized 5G Networks: State-of-the-Art and the Road Aheadcited by 15
  6. 2023Revolutionizing Future Connectivity: A Contemporary Survey on AI-empowered Satellite-based Non-Terrestrial Networks in 6Gcited by 13
  7. 2021A Survey on Non-Geostationary Satellite Systems: The Communication Perspectivecited by 12
  8. 2023Empowering the 6G Cellular Architecture with Open RANcited by 10
  9. 2021Evolution of Non-Terrestrial Networks From 5G to 6G: A Surveycited by 9
  10. 2022A Survey on Open Radio Access Networks: Challenges, Research Directions, and Open Source Approachescited by 7
  11. 2024A Comprehensive Tutorial and Survey of O-RAN: Exploring Slicing-aware Architecture, Deployment Options, Use Cases, and Challengescited by 7
  12. 2025End-to-End Edge AI Service Provisioning Framework in 6G ORANcited by 7
24 more
  1. 20215G from Space: An Overview of 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Networkscited by 6
  2. 2024Emerging Technologies for 6G Non-Terrestrial-Networks: From Academia to Industrial Applicationscited by 5
  3. 2024Non-Terrestrial Networks for 6G: Integrated, Intelligent and Ubiquitous Connectivitycited by 5
  4. 2025Network Digital Twin for 6G and Beyond: An End-to-End View Across Multi-Domain Network Ecosystemscited by 5
  5. 2022Joint User Association and Beamforming in Integrated Satellite-HAPS-Ground Networkscited by 4
  6. 2023Edge AI Empowered Physical Layer Security for 6G NTN: Potential Threats and Future Opportunitiescited by 4
  7. 2025Space-O-RAN: Enabling Intelligent, Open, and Interoperable Non Terrestrial Networks in 6Gcited by 4
  8. 2024Machine Learning-enabled Traffic Steering in O-RAN: A Case Study on Hierarchical Learning Approachcited by 3
  9. 2025Toward a Sustainable Low-Altitude Economy: A Survey of Energy-Efficient RIS-UAV Networkscited by 3
  10. 2022Machine Learning-Based User Scheduling in Integrated Satellite-HAPS-Ground Networkscited by 2
  11. 2022Distributed Massive MIMO for LEO Satellite Networkscited by 2
  12. 2023RAN Functional Split Options for Integrated Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial 6G Networkscited by 2
  13. 2023Spectrum Sharing through Marketplaces for O-RAN based Non-Terrestrial and Terrestrial Networkscited by 2
  14. 2024Resilience-by-Design in 6G Networks: Literature Review and Novel Enabling Conceptscited by 2
  15. 2025Distributed Coordination for Heterogeneous Non-Terrestrial Networkscited by 2
  16. 2025Intelligent Spectrum Sharing in Integrated TN-NTNs: A Hierarchical Deep Reinforcement Learning Approachcited by 2
  17. 2023Open RAN Testbeds with Controlled Air Mobilitycited by 1
  18. 2024Rapidly Deployable Intelligent 5G Aerial Neutral Host Networks: an O-RAN-Based Approachcited by 1
  19. 2024Feasibility Study of Function Splits in RAN Architectures with LEO Satellitescited by 1
  20. 2024AI-Native Network Digital Twin for Intelligent Network Management in 6Gcited by 1
  21. 2025Handover Delay Minimization in Non-Terrestrial Networks: Impact of Open RAN Functional Splitscited by 1
  22. 2025Orthogonality Analysis in LoRa Uplink Satellite Communications Affected by Doppler Effectcited by 1
  23. 2025FALCON: A Framework for Fault Prediction in Open RAN Using Multi-Level Telemetrycited by 1
  24. 2025On the Architectural Split and Radio Intelligence Controller Placement in Integrated O-RAN-enabled Non-Terrestrial Networkscited by 1

Built on by

Cited by year (2026 to 14 Oct)

Citing papers per year: 2026: 1.

1 paper.

  1. 20266G Needs Agents: Toward Agentic AI-Native Networks for Autonomous Intelligencecited by 2