SEI Workshop on Software Systems at the Edge

OPS-5G (Open, Programmable, Secure 5G) and OPA-5G (Open, Programmable Accelerators for 5G) are two DARPA programs that together are exploring how to establish a government-owned end-to-end open source 5G software stack from UE to core. OPS-5G is pursuing research leading to the development of a portable standards-compliant network stack for 5G mobile that is open source and secure by design. OPS-5G seeks to create open source software and systems that enable secure 5G and subsequent mobile networks, such as 6G. However, as the DoD seeks to utilize 5G wireless networks and the advanced capabilities provided to better support global operations, it must also invest in understanding how commercial and defense interests differ, and how those differences affect the ability to best utilize commercial wireless technology. OPA-5G will accelerate the DoD’s ability to study and use 5G and future commercial wireless technologies by exploring two technical challenges. The first is to build a free and open source software implementation of 5G user equipment and base station (gNodeB or gNB) on top of government-controlled hardware (e.g., a software-defined radio). The second is to combine technology from the DARPA Domain-Specific System on Chip program with a commercial industry’s mobile phone capabilities to create a new, low SWaP prototype gNB for DoD use.