Near-RT RIC vs Non-RT RIC
The O-RAN Alliance defines two RAN Intelligent Controllers. The Near-RT RIC runs in the 10ms–1s control loop and hosts xApps. The Non-RT RIC runs in the SMO and hosts rApps at policy timescales.
| Attribute | Near-RT RIC | Non-RT RIC |
|---|---|---|
| Control-loop timescale | 10 ms – 1 s | > 1 s |
| Interfaces | E2 (to CU/DU), A1 (from Non-RT) | A1 (to Near-RT), O1 (management) |
| App model | xApps | rApps |
| Deployment | Near the RAN | In the SMO |
| Threat model ref | O-RAN WG11 (Near-RT RIC threat model) | O-RAN WG11 (Non-RT RIC / SMO) |
Verdict
The xApp channel is the more scrutinized surface — it directly steers radio. The rApp channel is quieter but drives policy that xApps enforce. WG11 treats both as untrusted-by-default; deployments must too.