Impact of packetization and functional split on C-RAN fronthaul performance

Chang, Chia‐Yu; Schiavi, Ruggero; Nikaein, Navid; Spyropoulos, Thrasyvoulos; Bonnet, Christian

doi:10.1109/icc.2016.7511579

Cited by 53 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…A very extensive set of literature has examined modular wireless cellular access network architectures. Extensive CRAN studies have demonstrated the advantages and challenges of conducting the LTE physical layer baseband processing in the BBU [23]- [29]. The high transmission bitrate requirements for transporting the time-domain I/Q samples produced by the baseband processing at the BBU to the RRU have spurred research on fronthaul transport strategies, see e.g., [30]- [32], and alternative function splits between BBU and RRU [8], [33]- [42].…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

R-FFT: Function Split at IFFT/FFT in Unified LTE CRAN and Cable Access Network

Thyagaturu

Alharbi

Reisslein

2018

IEEE Trans. on Broadcast.

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The Remote-PHY (R-PHY) modular cable network for Data over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) service conducts the physical layer processing for the transmissions over the broadcast cable in a remote node. In contrast, the cloud radio access network (CRAN) for Long-Term Evolution (LTE) cellular wireless services conducts all baseband physical layer processing in a central baseband unit and the remaining physical layer processing steps towards radio frequency (RF) transmission in remote nodes. Both DOCSIS and LTE are based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) physical layer processing. We propose to unify cable and wireless cellular access networks by utilizing the hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) cable network infrastructure as fiber fronthaul network for cellular wireless services. For efficient operation of such a unified access network, we propose a novel Remote-FFT (R-FFT) node that conducts the physical layer processing from the Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT) module towards the RF transmission, whereby DOCSIS and LTE share a common FFT module. The frequency domain in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) symbols for both DOCSIS and LTE are transmitted over the fiber between remote node and cable headend, where the remaining physical layer processing is conducted. We further propose to cache repetitive quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) symbols in the R-FFT node to reduce the fronthaul bitrate requirements and enable statistical multiplexing. We evaluate the fronthaul bitrate reductions achieved by R-FFT node caching, the fronthaul transmission bitrates arising from the unified DOCSIS and LTE service, and illustrate the delay implications of moving part of the cable R-PHY remote node physical layer processing to the headend. Overall, our evaluations indicate that the proposed R-FFT node can effectively support unified DOCSIS and LTE services over the HFC cable plant while substantially reducing the fronthaul bitrate requirements of the existing CRAN structures.

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Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

R-FFT: Function Split at IFFT/FFT in Unified LTE CRAN and Cable Access Network

Thyagaturu

Alharbi

Reisslein

2018

IEEE Trans. on Broadcast.

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“…When such pure distributed (D-RAN) or fully centralized (C-RAN) solutions fall short, a hybrid RAN design where only some BS functions are centralized might be more suitable [4], [8], [9], [11]. Indeed, we see today a flurry of activities in this space by standardization bodies such as the IEEE 1914 WG and 3GPP RAN3 [12], [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

FluidRAN: Optimized vRAN/MEC Orchestration

García‐Saavedra¹,

Costa‐Pérez²,

Leith

et al. 2018

IEEE INFOCOM 2018 - IEEE Conference on Computer Communications

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Virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) architectures constitute a promising solution for the densification needs of 5G networks, as they decouple Base Stations (BUs) functions from Radio Units (RUs) allowing the processing power to be pooled at cost-efficient Central Units (CUs). vRAN facilitates the flexible function relocation (split selection), and therefore enables splits with less stringent network requirements compared to state-of-the-art fully Centralized (C-RAN) systems. In this paper, we study the important and challenging vRAN design problem. We propose a novel modeling approach and a rigorous analytical framework, FluidRAN, that minimizes RAN costs by jointly selecting the splits and the RUs-CUs routing paths. We also consider the increasingly relevant scenario where the RAN needs to support multi-access edge computing (MEC) services, that naturally favor distributed RAN (D-RAN) architectures. Our framework provides a joint vRAN/MEC solution that minimizes operational costs while satisfying the MEC needs. We follow a data-driven evaluation method, using topologies of 3 operational networks. Our results reveal that (i) pure C-RAN is rarely a feasible upgrade solution for existing infrastructure, (ii) FluidRAN achieves significant cost savings compared to D-RAN systems, and (iii) MEC can increase substantially the operator's cost as it pushes vRAN function placement back to RUs.

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“…In this context, allowing for a higher layer split can allow the use of packet switched networks without degrading the overall RAN performance. The effect of packetization in different C-RAN splits in terms of latency and overhead is studied in [16], where different functional splits are simulated. Number of packetization methods are also examined in order to support the tight RAN deadlines and the results focus on demonstrating effect of latency and overhead on the fronthaul performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Feasibility of MAC and PHY Split in Cloud RAN

Mountaser

Rosas

Mahmoodi

et al. 2017

2017 IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC)

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Abstract-Splitting functionalities of radio access network (RAN) and cloudification of such functionalities is considered as one of the key enablers of the next generation mobile and wireless networking, i.e. 5G, and is often referred to as software-defined RAN, virtualized RAN or Cloud RAN. Defining the splitting point, and maintaining the tight interaction between different functionalities in the RAN is, however, critical. Success of such cloudification depends on the availability of high speed fronthaul, while high speed fronthauling is costly. In this paper we experiment splitting MAC and PHY layer with fronthauling through Ethernet that allows using commodity and low-cost industry standard equipment. We examine the effect of packetization on latency, and study the pros and cons of splitting MAC and PHY layer, within a hardware-based testbed.

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Impact of packetization and functional split on C-RAN fronthaul performance

Cited by 53 publications

References 4 publications

R-FFT: Function Split at IFFT/FFT in Unified LTE CRAN and Cable Access Network

R-FFT: Function Split at IFFT/FFT in Unified LTE CRAN and Cable Access Network

FluidRAN: Optimized vRAN/MEC Orchestration

On the Feasibility of MAC and PHY Split in Cloud RAN

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