RANFusion: A Comprehensive Tool for Simulating Handover In Next-G RAN

Abstract

The rapid advancement of 5G networks and the upcoming transition to 6G necessitate the use of the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture to enable greater flexibility, interoperability, and innovation. This shift towards 6G and O-RAN requires the development of advanced simulation tools for testing, analyzing, and optimizing Radio Access Network (RAN) operations. This need becomes critical due to the complex dynamics of mobility management inherent in the 6G vision and next-generation networks. These networks anticipate advanced handover methods for mobile users, UAVs, IoT devices, and beyond. Addressing this gap, this paper introduces RANFusion: a robust RAN simulator specifically created to explore a variety of handover scenarios and to test and balance resources between users. This tool enables precise simulations for refining handover strategies within RAN and O-RAN environments, thereby ensuring optimal performance and reliability in these advanced network infrastructures.