End-to-End Magma Integration With Open RAN Simulators
Problem Statement
The current validation of Magma's 5G core functionality is limited to the use of UERANSIM, which is primarily designed for basic simulation of UE and gNB behavior. While effective for initial core testing, UERANSIM does not emulate the full complexity of real-world RAN stacks, such as CU-DU splits, PHY layer interactions, or timing sensitivity—factors critical to successful Open RAN deployments.
As organizations increasingly adopt Open RAN architectures, comprehensive integration testing between Magma and full-featured RAN stacks like OAI and srsRAN becomes essential. These RAN frameworks offer more accurate and realistic behavior, supporting both monolithic and CU-DU deployment models. However, configuring and integrating them with Magma remains technically challenging, especially for new adopters and researchers.
To enable faster, more reliable prototyping and to de-risk future hardware deployments (e.g., with SDRs or commercial radios), it is imperative to validate Magma with these RAN stacks in a controlled, simulated environment first.
Challenges in Current Validation Process
The current validation process using UERANSIM has several limitations:
- Limited simulation capabilities: UERANSIM is primarily designed for basic simulation of UE and gNB behavior, which does not emulate the full complexity of real-world RAN stacks.
- Inadequate testing: The current validation process does not test the full range of RAN behaviors, including CU-DU splits, PHY layer interactions, and timing sensitivity.
- Technical challenges: Configuring and integrating full-featured RAN stacks like OAI and srsRAN with Magma remains technically challenging, especially for new adopters and researchers.
Proposed Solution
We propose to develop a unified, automated deployment script that allows users to select from multiple simulated RAN environments—UERANSIM, OAI, or srsRAN—and seamlessly integrate them with Magma Access Gateway (AGW). This solution will abstract away much of the low-level configuration, reduce integration complexity, and empower users to perform end-to-end validation based on their specific use case or eventual target deployment.
This tool will serve as a standardized testing framework for:
- Evaluating Magma with different RAN simulators: The tool will allow users to evaluate Magma's performance with different RAN simulators, including UERANSIM, OAI, and srsRAN.
- Benchmarking core performance and stability: The tool will enable users to benchmark Magma's core performance and stability under varying RAN behaviors.
- Preparing for hardware-based deployments: The tool will prepare users for hardware-based deployments with minimal rework.
Deliverables
The proposed solution will deliver the following:
- Unified, modular deployment script: A unified, modular deployment script with interactive selection of RAN stack (UERANSIM / OAI / srsRAN).
- Working E2E integration: Working end-to-end integration with all supported simulators, tested and verified.
- Full documentation: Full documentation including setup instructions, expected outputs, and troubleshooting guide.
Test Environment
The test environment will consist of:
- Magma AGW: Magma Access Gateway (AGW) hosted on virtual or bare infrastructure.
- RAN simulators: UERANSIM, OAI, and srsRAN RAN simulators.
Justification
The proposed solution will bridge the gap between simulation and production, accelerate R&D and onboarding, reduce cost and complexity, and be reusable and extensible.
- Bridges the gap between simulation and production: By testing with full RAN stacks before touching hardware, organizations reduce integration risks.
- Accelerates R&D and onboarding: Developers, researchers, and system integrators can quickly validate scenarios aligned with their goals.
- Reduces cost and complexity: No need for SDRs or radios at early stages; all testing remains virtual but highly realistic.
- Reusable and extensible: The modular script can serve future use cases like CI/CD pipelines or hardware-in-the-loop tests.
Timeline
The proposed solution will be developed and delivered within 2 weeks, including development, internal testing, and documentation.
Budget
The budget for the proposed solution is $5,000.
Ownership
The ownership of the proposed solution will be with Nitin Rajput (Magma India).
Conclusion
The proposed solution will enable faster, more reliable prototyping and de-risk future hardware deployments by validating Magma with full-featured RAN stacks in a controlled, simulated environment. The solution will abstract away much of the low-level configuration, reduce integration complexity, and empower users to perform end-to-end validation based on their specific use case or eventual target deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have received several questions from users regarding the proposed solution for end-to-end Magma integration with Open RAN simulators. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers.
Q: What is the current validation process for Magma's 5G core functionality?
A: The current validation process for Magma's 5G core functionality is limited to the use of UERANSIM, which is primarily designed for basic simulation of UE and gNB behavior.
Q: Why is comprehensive integration testing between Magma and full-featured RAN stacks like OAI and srsRAN essential?
A: Comprehensive integration testing between Magma and full-featured RAN stacks like OAI and srsRAN is essential because these RAN frameworks offer more accurate and realistic behavior, supporting both monolithic and CU-DU deployment models.
Q: What are the benefits of using a unified, automated deployment script for Magma integration with Open RAN simulators?
A: The benefits of using a unified, automated deployment script for Magma integration with Open RAN simulators include abstracting away much of the low-level configuration, reducing integration complexity, and empowering users to perform end-to-end validation based on their specific use case or eventual target deployment.
Q: What are the deliverables of the proposed solution?
A: The deliverables of the proposed solution include a unified, modular deployment script with interactive selection of RAN stack (UERANSIM / OAI / srsRAN), working end-to-end integration with all supported simulators, tested and verified, and full documentation including setup instructions, expected outputs, and troubleshooting guide.
Q: What is the test environment for the proposed solution?
A: The test environment for the proposed solution will consist of Magma Access Gateway (AGW) hosted on virtual or bare infrastructure and UERANSIM, OAI, and srsRAN RAN simulators.
Q: What are the benefits of the proposed solution?
A: The benefits of the proposed solution include bridging the gap between simulation and production, accelerating R&D and onboarding, reducing cost and complexity, and being reusable and extensible.
Q: What is the timeline for the proposed solution?
A: The proposed solution will be developed and delivered within 2 weeks, including development, internal testing, and documentation.
Q: What is the budget for the proposed solution?
A: The budget for the proposed solution is $5,000.
Q: Who will own the proposed solution?
A: The ownership of the proposed solution will be with Nitin Rajput (Magma India).
Q: How will the proposed solution be used?
A: The proposed solution will be used to enable faster, more reliable prototyping and de-risk future hardware deployments by validating Magma with full-featured RAN stacks in a controlled, simulated environment.
Q: What are the future use cases for the proposed solution?
A: The proposed solution can be used for future use cases like CI/CD pipelines or hardware-in-the-loop tests.
Conclusion
The proposed solution for end-to-end Magma integration with Open RAN simulators will enable faster, more reliable prototyping and de-risk future hardware deployments by validating Magma with full-featured RAN stacks in a controlled, simulated environment. The solution will abstract away much of the low-level configuration, reduce integration complexity, and empower users to perform end-to-end validation based on their specific use case or eventual target deployment.