SLEEPY-rApp: Delay-aware Sleep Scheduling for Energy Efficiency in MEC-enabled O-RAN

This paper presents a novel resource allocation and MEC server deactivation strategy for MEC-enabled O-RAN networks, with the objective of optimizing energy consumption while satisfying strict delay requirements. Our approach leverages an intelligent orchestration application, SLEEPY-rApp, deployed in the SMO layer to dynamically control MEC server activation and request routing. We formulate a joint optimization problem that simultaneously considers computing capacity, end-to-end delay, and energy consumption. To address the NP-hard nature of this problem in real time, we propose a low-complexity heuristic that adapts to varying network conditions and workload patterns. Simulation results indicate that our method significantly reduces energy usage---particularly during peak operating periods---while maintaining the required quality of service. These findings underscore the potential of intelligent orchestration in enhancing the energy efficiency of future MEC-enabled O-RAN systems.