O-RAN based proactive ANR optimization

"As telecommunication networks evolve towards 5G,
 emerging technologies such as Massive Internet of Thing (mIoT)
 and massive Machine Type Communication(mMTC) are predicted
 to add billions of wireless devices to the 5G network. Tightly
 coupled Radio Access Network (RAN) devices are one of the
 major bottlenecks in the expansion of 5G network. To cater the
 dynamic and massive demand of the network, requires decoupling
 the network device hardware with its software function. Open
 Radio Access Network (ORAN) framework aims to achieve the
 decoupling of RAN device hardware with its function software
 to achieve auto-scaling of RAN network functions to meet the
 ever increasing and dynamic demand for network access. The
 5G network needs to be densified to increase the capacity and
 coverage of networks. However network densification comes with
 its own challenges, as number of cells increase, it becomes more
 complex to manage and optimize neighbour relationships. Automatic
 Neighbour Relation (ANR) is a well know Self Organizing
 Network (SON) function that is used to manage neighbour cell
 relationships, optimization of the Neighbour Cell Relation Table
 (NCRT), significantly improves the handover timing, reduces
 the call drop rates and increase the total number of successful
 handovers. This paper investigates a new approach for ANR optimization
 for the next generation networks using O-RAN defined
 open interfaces and architectural platform. The approach would
 leverage O-RAN architecture that supports implementation of
 intelligent models and proposes a Machine Learning (ML) based
 proactive ANR optimization technique to improve gNodeB (gNB)
 handovers."