Towards Energy- and QoS-aware Load Balancing for 6G: Leveraging O-RAN to Achieve Sustainable and Energy-Efficient 6G

Abstract

This paper addresses the critical challenge posed by the increasing energy consumption in mobile networks, particularly with the advent of Sixth Generation (6G) technologies. We propose an adaptive network management framework that leverages the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture to enhance network adaptability and energy efficiency. By utilizing O-RAN's open interfaces and intelligent controllers, our approach implements dynamic resource management strategies that respond to fluctuating user demands while maintaining the quality of service. We design and implement O-RAN-compliant applications to validate our framework, demonstrating significant improvements in energy efficiency without compromising network performance. Our study offers a comprehensive guide for utilizing O-RAN's open architecture to achieve sustainable and energy-efficient 6G networks, aligning with global efforts to reduce the environmental impact of mobile communication systems.