The Search for Open-Source Hardware

OCUDU (Open Centralized Unit/Distributed Unit) is a collaborative initiative and open-source project hosted by the Linux Foundation, aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of 5G and 6G Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN). It provides a common, carrier-grade, open-source software foundation for the CU and DU layers, which are critical components of radio access networks.

The intent of OCUDU is to break vendor lock-in and accelerate the transition from proprietary, hardware-locked RAN systems to software-defined, open ecosystems. It is considered an essential building block to prepare for a 6G-enabled world. The General Services Administration reported last year that the target for establishing 6G as the commercial standard is 2030, because it will require research, innovation, and international agreement on new interoperability standards.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the components and processes that comprise Open RAN systems
• Evaluate your agency’s systems and the groundwork that can be done now to prepare for open source hardware