Enhancing Technical Debt Management and Modifiability in 5G Radio Access Network Software Architecture
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Sähkötekniikan korkeakoulu |
Master's thesis
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Authors
Date
2024-08-19
Department
Major/Subject
Control, Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Mcode
ELEC3025
Degree programme
AEE - Master’s Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering (TS2013)
Language
en
Pages
62+1
Series
Abstract
The evolution from 4G to 5G as well as future generations of mobile networks is not limited to physical characteristics such as higher data throughput, extremely low latency and immensely improved energy efficiency. To fulfill the ever-increasing demands on the radio access network, 5G utilizes software defined networks to enable higher levels of disaggregation and virtualization. Recently, an increased emphasis has been placed on initiatives that promote standardization, openness, and interoperability in the radio access network. From the perspective of network equipment providers, this necessitates a higher degree of evolvability in the software components that define the radio access network. This thesis investigates and improves the modifiability of a 5G radio access network software component by decreasing technical debt. An exploratory case study is performed to assess the impact by a refactoring implementation which evolves the software architecture of a component toward a more modifiable state. The case study utilizes defined change scenarios to evaluate the impact on modifiability. The study concluded that the modifiability improved for the defined change scenarios, thanks to an increased adherence to the Single Responsibility Principle, increased decoupling, higher level of abstraction, and enhanced clarity. Due to the applied changes, other characteristics, primarily modularity, have also improved. The software architecture of the component has evolved in an appropriate direction, impeding further modifications from introducing additional technical debt.Description
Supervisor
Manner, JukkaThesis advisor
BaniJamali, AhmadKeywords
5G, RAN, technical debt, modifiability, refactoring, software architecture