5G/6G Network Digital Twin as a key enabler for RAN Intelligence

The rapid evolution of wireless communication networks has driven transformative advancements across industries, with 5G and the emerging 6G technologies offer- ing unprecedented connectivity, ultra-low latency, and massive device integration. Among these innovations, the concept of the Digital Twin Network (DTN) has emerged as a key enabler, providing real-time mirroring of physical network sys- tems within a virtual environment. This integration marks a paradigm shift in how networks are monitored, managed, and optimized, paving the way for enhanced automation and intelligence. This thesis builds upon practical experience gained during an internship at Bub- bleRAN, where the core contribution was the development of a comprehensive digital twin operator within a Kubernetes environment. Kubernetes, as a robust container orchestration platform, facilitated scalable deployment, efficient resource management, and high availability for the digital twin. The developed operator served as the central component, orchestrating virtual replicas and enabling seam- less interactions between the physical and virtual layers. This hands-on imple- mentation highlighted the potential of combining cloud-native and intent-based architectures with digital twin technology to address the complexities of modern communication networks. Building upon this foundation, this research extends the exploration of digital twin technology in 5G/6G networks by incorporating advanced RAN Intelligence techniques. Specifically, it investigates the role of collaborative LLMs, intelligent policy enforcement, and other AI-driven mechanisms that leverage the digital twin for decision validation. These methodologies enhance network adaptability, optimize resource allocation, and improve overall system intelligence. By integrating digital twins with RAN Intelligence, this thesis contributes to the development of scalable, intelligent, and adaptive network solutions that align with the evolving demands of future communication systems.