--- title: "Benchmarks: Frontier labs | Nexus Observatory" description: "Benchmarks, inside Frontier labs: O-RAN reference architecture, O-RU (radio unit), O-DU (distributed unit), O-CU (central unit, CP and UP) and more." url: https://observatory.global/labs/benchmarks/ publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc. updated: 2026-10-29 --- [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/) / [Frontier labs](https://observatory.global/labs/) / **Benchmarks** # Open data, one method, comparable results. Benchmarks, inside Frontier labs: O-RAN reference architecture, O-RU (radio unit), O-DU (distributed unit), O-CU (central unit, CP and UP) and more. Every item is traced to its specification, from O-RAN WG1 Architecture Description to O-RAN WG4 Control, User and Synchronization Plane Specification, and runs on the open Observatory Protocol. [Plan with us](https://observatory.global/contact/) Architecture [The protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/specification/) **Technologies**: 9 **At the frontier**: 0 **Protocol functions**: 3 of 8 **Industries served**: 3 Reference design, drawn to scale · drag to turn · hover a part **01** What it is ## O-RAN architecture and open interfaces. Disaggregated, software-defined and AI-assisted radio access: the O-RAN architecture and its open interfaces, 7.2x fronthaul, RAN intelligent controllers with xApps and rApps, SMO and O-Cloud, accelerated L1, shared GPU infrastructure for RAN and AI, AI/ML in the 3GPP air interface, energy saving, and the test and integration work that makes multi-supplier RAN deployable. AI from model to accountable operation: edge inference and model optimisation, foundation models for Earth observation and geospatial work, time-series and sensor AI, multimodal fusion and supervised agentic operations, federated and privacy-preserving learning, physical AI and robotics within stated red lines, MLOps, evaluation and model risk, and the governance frameworks that apply to each. Each technology below carries what it is, what we do with it, and the standard it is drawn against. AI-RAN and Open RAN ### O-RAN reference architecture The split of the RAN into O-RU, O-DU, O-CU, RICs, SMO and O-Cloud with defined open interfaces between them. We design and integrate. O-RAN WG1 Architecture Description AI-RAN and Open RAN ### O-RU (radio unit) The radio and low-PHY at the antenna, category A or B depending on where precoding runs. We integrate, deploy and maintain. O-RAN WG4 Control, User and Synchronization Plane Specification · O-RAN WG7 white-box hardware reference designs AI-RAN and Open RAN ### O-DU (distributed unit) High-PHY, MAC and RLC running on servers at the cell site or hub, often with acceleration. We integrate, deploy and operate. O-RAN WG8 stack reference design · Small Cell Forum SCF222 (5G FAPI) AI-RAN and Open RAN ### O-CU (central unit, CP and UP) RRC, PDCP and SDAP functions split into control and user planes and run centrally. We integrate, deploy and operate. 3GPP TS 38.401 (NG-RAN architecture) · 3GPP TS 38.463 (E1AP) · 3GPP TS 38.473 (F1AP) AI-RAN and Open RAN ### Open F1, E1, X2 and Xn interoperability Interoperability profiles so CU, DU and neighbouring nodes from different suppliers work together. We integrate. O-RAN WG5 open F1/W1/E1/X2/Xn interface specifications · 3GPP TS 38.473 (F1AP) AI-RAN and Open RAN ### Shared O-RU and multi-operator Open RAN One radio unit serving several operators' DUs, cutting site equipment in shared deployments. We design, integrate and deploy. O-RAN WG4 shared O-RU specifications · O-RAN WG1 Architecture Description AI-RAN and Open RAN ### Deployment scenarios and white-box hardware Reference placements of RAN functions (site, hub, regional) and open hardware designs for each. We design and integrate. O-RAN WG7 deployment scenarios and base station hardware architecture AI systems ### EO foundation models Large pretrained models over optical, SAR and multi-temporal imagery, fine-tuned for many downstream tasks. We design, integrate and operate. OGC Training Data Markup Language for AI (TrainingDML-AI) · CEOS Analysis Ready Data framework AI systems ### Training data and labels Documented, licensed training sets with known label quality and geographic coverage. We design and operate. OGC TrainingDML-AI · ISO 19157-1 (data quality) **02** Architecture ## Where it sits, and what it speaks. Benchmarks draws on 4 domains and 32 layers of the spectrum; the highlighted layers carry this area. It speaks 3 of the protocol's 8 core functions. Edge inference, model serving and optimisation 10 Foundation models for Earth observation and geospatial 9 Time-series and sensor AI 8 Multimodal fusion and agentic operations 7 Federated and privacy-preserving learning 7 Physical AI and robotics (within red lines) 7 MLOps 7 Evaluation, model risk and AI governance 10 O-RAN architecture and open interfaces 7 Fronthaul (7.2x split) and transport 8 RAN intelligent controllers, xApps and rApps 8 SMO, O-Cloud and accelerated L1 8 AI-RAN: shared accelerated infrastructure 7 AI/ML in the air interface and network management 8 Energy saving and efficiency 6 Testing, integration and security 8 01**Join** Identity, attestation quote, signed policy. 02**Admit** Admitted for a stated scope, nothing wider. 03**Describe** What, where, how and by whom, with calibration. 04**Time** One clock across the grid, with its error bound. 05**Observe** Every value with quality and provenance. 06**Qualify** Tested against the specification, state on record. 07**Federate** Signed exchange across grids and trust domains. 08**Orchestrate** Software and configuration by signed plan. **03** On the grid ## Every site joins one observing grid. The open networks on the grid today, over real relief and the geodesic cells we count them into, filtered to the space domain this area serves. A site built here enrols into the same grid. **04** In the field ## Where this runs, sector by sector. 3 deployment scenarios from the sector research that rely on benchmarks. [Scientific Research-infrastructure gap-filling nodesObservatory-as-a-service for research infrastructures that must extend coverage under their own quality rules.](https://observatory.global/sectors/scientific/) [Transport Non-federal automated weather observing for small airportsAviation-grade stations under the civil-aviation authority's advisory circular; pricing not researched.](https://observatory.global/sectors/transport/) [Defence-adjacent (civil dual-use) Research and development route through the defence science programmeA science-and-technology programme on all-domain situational awareness.](https://observatory.global/sectors/defence-adjacent/) **05** Open and enterprise ## Open by default. Enterprise by contract. The open counterpart lives on the main site for anyone to read and run. The enterprise service is designed, deployed and operated with you, under contract. Open, on the main site - Benchmark methods - Pilot reports, published either way Enterprise, on this site - Research pilots - Prototype engineering **06** The rest of the line ## Frontier labs, area by area. [Frontier labs PilotsNew technology, a real site, a written plan.](https://observatory.global/labs/pilots/) [Frontier labs AI-RAN and 6GSensing and communication on shared compute.](https://observatory.global/labs/ai-ran-and-6g/) [Frontier labs Space and NTNDirect-to-device and new payloads, tested.](https://observatory.global/labs/space-and-ntn/) [Frontier labs Physical AIDrones and robots, inside published red lines.](https://observatory.global/labs/physical-ai/) [Frontier labs Into the productFrom a result to a qualified release.](https://observatory.global/labs/into-the-product/) ## Bring us the site. Survey, design, deployment and operation for benchmarks. The form names who receives your details. [Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) [contact@observatory.global](mailto:contact@observatory.global?subject=Frontier%20labs%3A%20Benchmarks) [Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)**Frontier labs** . The frontier, taken into the field.[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/) Frontier labs - [Pilots](https://observatory.global/labs/pilots/) - [Benchmarks](https://observatory.global/labs/benchmarks/) - [AI-RAN and 6G](https://observatory.global/labs/ai-ran-and-6g/) - [Space and NTN](https://observatory.global/labs/space-and-ntn/) - [Physical AI](https://observatory.global/labs/physical-ai/) - [Into the product](https://observatory.global/labs/into-the-product/) Technologies - [Edge inference, model serving and optimisation](https://observatory.global/technologies/ai/edge-inference-model-serving-and-optimisation/) - [Foundation models for Earth observation and geospatial](https://observatory.global/technologies/ai/foundation-models-for-earth-observation-and-geospatial/) - [O-RAN architecture and open interfaces](https://observatory.global/technologies/airan/o-ran-architecture-and-open-interfaces/) - [Fronthaul (7.2x split) and transport](https://observatory.global/technologies/airan/fronthaul-7-2x-split-and-transport/) - [Orbits and constellations](https://observatory.global/technologies/satellite/orbits-and-constellations/) - [Spacecraft buses and platforms](https://observatory.global/technologies/satellite/spacecraft-buses-and-platforms/) - [Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters](https://observatory.global/technologies/ran/macro-small-cells-das-and-repeaters/) Industries - [Climate](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/) - [Research](https://observatory.global/industries/research/) - [Education](https://observatory.global/industries/education/) Service platforms - [Observatory Protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/) - [Protocol & Grid](https://observatory.global/grid-services/) - [Software](https://observatory.global/software/) - [Hardware & power](https://observatory.global/hardware/) - [Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/) - [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/) - [Edge compute & AI](https://observatory.global/edge-ai/) © 2026 Nexus Observatory Inc. 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