The 2nd Workshop on Next-generation Open and Programmable Radio Access Networks (NG-OPERA)
Organized in conjunction with
IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications, May 20, 2024
CALL FOR PAPERS COMMITTEE SUBMISSIONS PROGRAM
As cellular networks progress towards 5G-Advanced and 6G, the Radio Access Network (RAN) domain is undergoing a rapid transformation. Initiatives such as the O-RAN Alliance that promote the Open RAN movement are jointly shaping the future of access networks across industry and academia, while open-source RAN software solutions such as the OpenAirInterface and srsRAN projects, as well as open-source RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) implementations such as FlexRIC and OSC-RIC, have made it possible to involve a much larger set of stakeholders than was previously possible. Buoyed by the key tenets of softwarization, disaggregation, and programmability, the RAN is evolving from a monolithic black-box entity to a more disaggregated, open, and programmable ecosystem. This evolution has also brought forth the possibility of rich third-party support for RAN assurance and control, driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) through standard protocols. At the same time, the rapid adoption of AI should be closely coupled with guard-rails that ensure trustworthiness, resilience and explainability of such models in production systems. Therefore, while the RAN is poised to usher in a new era of openness and innovation, much work remains to be done within the domains of architectures, interfaces, algorithms, and standardization.
To that end, this workshop aims to provide a forum for researchers and professionals across academia, government, and industries, to exchange ideas, present new results, and provide future visions concerning next-generation open and programmable RANs.
Important Dates
Paper Submission Deadline: January 1, 2024 February 5, 2024 (Firm)
Authors Notification: February 23, 2024 (Regular Papers), February 27, 2024 (Posters and Demos)
Final Manuscript Due: March 5, 2024
Workshop: May 20, 2024
Submission Link
