Team led by IIT Bangalore’s COMET Foundation develops ORAN base station for affordable 5G connectivity
11 Feb 2024
A team of engineers spearheaded by IIT Bangalore’s COMET Foundation has come out with a niche technological solution for Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) base station, in a development that would facilitate high-speed and reliable connectivity at affordable cost in unconnected and far-flung areas.
The best-in-class ORAN base station solution, designed by IIITB COMET Foundation for creating spectral and energy efficient wireless communications technology for 5G and 5G-Advanced radio networks, is under development for commercialization, according to a release of the ministry of science and technology.
ORAN base station solutions disaggregate the software and hardware components of the network infrastructure, providing access to different components, making it easier, efficient and more economically viable to provide internet in remote areas.
The breaking down of the Radio Access Network (RAN) functions help in bringing down network cost and complexity, making it a critical component of next-generation telecommunications infrastructure
Open RAN removes vendor lock-in and can facilitate smooth interoperation between cellular network equipment provided by different vendors, says a DST release.
COMET is among the 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIH) set up under the National Mission for Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for developing Advanced Communication Systems.
Besides IIT Bangalore, COMET is partnering with IIT Hyderabad, IIT Bhilai, IIT Roorkee and IIIT-Naya Raipur.
The ORAN base station radio unit developed by a team led by Kiran Kuchi, Professor at IIT Hyderabad (IITH) uses a breakthrough ORAN technology that harnesses numerous cell tower antennas. This allows enhanced cell coverage while also helping to boost capacity three-fold compared to existing 4G networks.
COMET is also building capacity through various skill development programmes, workshops, and training sessions, which is essential for the success of the 5G and upcoming 6G networks.
India is gearing up for the commercial launch of 6G telecom technology by 2030, and is exploring emerging standards in 6G specifically in the area of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), as this technology is likely to play a key role in the emerging 6G Standard, the DST release adds.
