ORCA: Cloud-native Orchestration and Automation of E2E Cellular Network Functions and Slices

With the evolution towards 5G-A and 6G, cloud-native cellular network orchestration is expected to playa key role in network performance optimization, yet systems research in this domain is still nascent. With a view to furthering the conversation on cellular orchestration, through this paper, we introduce ORCA, a comprehensive demo on the cloud-native orchestration and automation of end-to-end cellular network functions and slices. Set against the backdrop of a lab-scale, over-the-air experimental testbed, key highlights of ORCA include Nephio-driven RAN and core orchestration, automated network slice creation and deployment, and O-RAN-driven closed loop slice assurance.