A Future Vision To Implement C-RAN in 4G & 5G Mobile Network in Egypt

Ministry of Communications
and Information Technology
Next Technology Leaders
Professional Training Programs on Communications and Information Technology

(6 Months)
Modern Wireless Technologies
A Future Vision to Implement C-RAN in 4G & 5G

Mobile Network in Egypt
By
Abdelrahman Mahmoud Ahmed

Ashraf Mohamed El-Neshawy
Mahmoud Wael Shatat
Mohamed Atef Mahmoud
Under The Supervision of

Prof. Dr. Mohsen Tantawy
Dr. Reem Hamed
September 2018
Professional Training Program September 18, 2018
Acknowledgements
First praise and thanks to the almighty ALLAH for his blessings of the mind and the future
vision and success in life in general and in this project in particular.
Having completed our project thesis we would like to express our greatest thank and our deepest
gratitude to Prof. Dr. Mohsen Tantawy and Dr. Reem Hamed Abdelhadi for suggesting research
topics, his generous guidance and providing very helpful feedback on our problems.
Thanks also to our families for the support they have given us and all teaching staff, who made
this time enjoyable.
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Abstract
There has been a vast advancement in Mobile Wireless Communication (MWC) since the last
few decades. This innovation consists of a number of generations and is still going on. The
journey of MWC began with the first generation (1G) followed by the second generation (2G),
the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G) and under research upcoming the fifth
generation (5G).
In the era of mobile Internet, mobile operators are facing pressure on ever-increasing capital
expenditures and operating expenses with much less growth of income. Cloud Radio Access
Network (C-RAN) is expected to be a candidate of next generation access network techniques
that can solve operators’ puzzle.
In this report, on the basis of a general survey of C-RAN, we present structure of C-RAN that
consists of a physical plane, a CP, and a service plane. Compared to traditional architecture, the
proposed C-RAN architecture emphasizes the notion of service cloud, service-oriented resource
scheduling and management, thus it facilitates the utilization of new communication and
computer techniques.
Cloud or Centralized (C-RAN) is a mobile network architecture that enables the share of network
resources in a centralized data center, being cost-effective to operators & capacity. the main idea
behind C-RAN is to split the base stations (BS) into radio and baseband (BB) parts, and pool the
Baseband Units (BBUs) from multiple BS into a centralized and virtualized BBU Pool. This part
of network called fronthaul.
In this report we will discuss Centralized and Cloud RAN Evolution, Architecture and
Implementation scenarios for some main vendors that support C-RAN solution such as Ericsson
Huawei, NEC and COMMSCOPE at the end we shed light on economical study of C-RAN and
the best recommend solution for Egypt
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………….11
1.2 Research Aims……………………………………………….................12
1.3 Report Organization……………………………………………………12
Chapter 2: Mobile Networks Generations

2.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………..13
2.2 The First Generation……………………………………………………13
2.3 The Second Generation………………………………………………...14
2.3.1 GSM & GPRS Network Architecture…………………………………………..15
2.4 The Third Generation…………………………………………………15
2.4.1 UMTS Network Architecture…………………………………………………...16
2.5 The Fourth Generation…………………………………………………16
2.6 The Fifth Generation…………………………………………………...17
2.7 Comparison of all Mobile Generation………………………………….18
Chapter 3: C-RAN Technologies

3.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………….19
3.2 Base Station architecture evolution…………………………………….19
3.2.1 Traditional architecture……………………………………………………………20
3.2.2 Base station with RRH…………………………………………………………….20
3.2.3 Cloud base station…………………………………………………………………21
3.3 Virtualization in Cloud RAN…………………………………………..22
3.4 Network Function Virtualization………………………………………22
3.5 Software Defined Networking…………………………………………23
3.6 NFV and SDN in Cloud RAN………………………………………… 23
3.7 Advantages of C-RAN…………………………………………………24
3.7.1 Cost savings in CAPEX and OPEX……………………………………………….24
3.7.2 Capacity and spectral efficiency improvements…………………………………..24
3.7.3 Adaptability to non-uniform traffic……………………………………………….24
3.7.4 Energy efficient…………………….……………………………………………...25
3.7.5 Smart Internet traffic offload and services on the edge………………………...….25
3.8 Challenges of Cloud RAN………………………………………………….............25
3.8.1 RRH and BBU pool connection with optical fiber………………………………..25
3.8.2 BBU pool interconnection and clustering…………………………………………25
3.8.3 Advanced co-operation with transmission and reception……………………….....26
3.8.4 Base station virtualization………………………………………..……………..…26
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Chapter 4: C-RAN Implementation Scenarios

4.1 Transport network……………………………………………………...27
4.2 RRH development……………………………………………………...27
4.3 Synchronized BBU Implementation…………………………………...28
4.4 Likely deployment Scenarios…………………………………………..28
4.5 Connection Methods…………………………………………………...30
4.5.1 Dedicated Fiber……………………………………………………………………30
4.5.2 Passive WDM………………………..……………………………………...31
4.5.3 What are C-RAN small cells……………………………………………………...33
4.6 Cloud Radio Access Network………………………………………….38
4.6.1 Architecture ………………………………………………………………………..39
4.6.2 C-RAN benefits towards 5G……………………………………………………….40
4.7 Software Defined Networking………………………………………....41
4.7.1 SDN Architecture …………………………………………………………………41
4.8 A Future Vision to Implement C-RAN in Mobile Networks in Egypt...43
4.8.1 Active WDM solution’s equipment……………………………………………….43
4.8.1.1 Ericsson’s Solution……………………………………………………..44
4.8.1.2 Huawei’s Solution…………………………………………………..….46
Chapter 5: Economical RAN Architecture Deployment

5.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………….48
5.2 Challenges of RAN…………………………………………………….48
5.3 Cloud RAN’s business benefits……………………………………….48
5.4 COST Model………………………………………………………….49
5.5 Cost calculations………………………………………………………50
Chapter 6: Conclusion and Future Work

6.1 Conclusion……………………………………………………………..52
6.2 Future Work…………………………………………………………..53
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List of Figures
Figure (2.1): Architecture of Advance Mobile Phone System……………………14
Figure (2.2): GSM & GPRS Network Architecture………………………………15
Figure (2.3): UMTS Network Architecture……………………………………….16
Figure (2.4): LTE Network Architecture………………………………………….17
Figure (3.1): Statistical multiplexing gain in C-RAN architecture for mobile
networks………………….......................................................................................19
Figure (3.2): Base station architecture evolution………………………………….20
Figure (3.3): C-RAN LTE mobile network……………………………………….21
Figure (4.1): Possible fronthaul transport solutions………………………………27
Figure (4.2): C-RAN deployment scenarios………………………………………29
Figure (4.3): Point to point fiber…………………………………………………..31
Figure (4.4): Passive WDM……………………………………………………….32
Figure (4.5): Active WDM………………………………………………………..32
Figure (4.6): Active WDM solutions use active transponders……………………33
Figure (4.7): baseband processing is centralized in the BaseBand Controller……34
Figure (4.8): Interference in traditional Small Cells and One Cell……………….35
Figure (4.9): User Capacity Centralization……………………………………….36
Figure (4.10): C-RAN architecture for LTE EPC………………………………...39
Figure (4.11): Proposed architecture SD-vC-RAN and Programmable EPC……..42
Figure (4.12): Active WDM Solution Architecture……………………………….43
Figure (4.13): Ericsson RRH fronhaul 6322……………………………………...44
Figure (4.14): Ericsson RRH fronhaul 6388……………………………………...44
Figure (4.15): Ericsson BBUs 5216………………………………………………45
Figure (4.16): Ericsson MUXs fronhaul 6688…………………………………….45
Figure (4.17) Huawei RRHs, FO OTN Fronthaul……………………………….46
Figure (4.18): Huawei BBU DBS 3900…………………………………………..46
Figure (4.19): Huawei MUXs……………………………………………………..47
Figure (5.1): Cost modeling flow chart…………………………………………...49
Figure (5.2): C RAN HW and SW data…………………………………………...50
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List of Tables
Table (2.1): Comparison of Mobile Generation: 1G to 5G……………………….18
Table (3.1): Comparison between traditional base station, base station with RRH
and C-RAN………………………………………………………………………..22
Table (4.1): Essential Drivers for operators to deploy CRAN……………………40
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List of Acronyms
1G 1st Generation
2G 2nd Generation
3G 3rd Generation
3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project
4G Fourth Generation
5G Fifth Generation
AAS Antenna Array System
AMPS Advanced Mobile Phone System
API Application Programming Interface
BB Baseband
BBU Baseband Unit
BS Base Station
BTS Base Transceiver Station
CA Carrier Aggregation
CAPEX Capital Expenditur
CDN Content Distribution Network
CN Core Network
CoMP Co-operative Multi-Point processing technology
CoMP JT CoMP Joint Transmission
COTS Commercial off-the-shelf
CP Control Plane
CPRI Common Public Radio Interface
C-RAN Centralized Radio Access Network
C-RAN Cloud Radio Access Network
CUE Connected User Equipment
DL Downlink
DPI Deep Packet Inspection
D-RAN Distributed Radio Access Network
DSN Distributed Service Network
eICIC enhanced Inter-cell Interference Coordination
eNB Evolved NodeB
eNodeB Evolved Nodes B
EPC Evolved Packet Core
GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
HetNet Heterogeneous Networks
HSDPA High Speed Downlink Packet Access
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HSUPA High Speed Uplink Packet Access

HW Hardware
ICI Inter Cell Interference
IoT Internet of Things
IP Internet Protocol
IQ In-phase/Quadrature
KPI Key Performance Indicators
LTE Long Term Evolution
LTE-A LTE-Advanced
MAC Media Access Control
MEC Mobile Edge Computing
MG Multiplexing gain
MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output
MNO Mobile Network Operator
NFV Network Function Virtualization
NV Network Virtualization
OAM Operations, Administration and Maintenance
OBSAI Open Base Station Architecture Initiative
ONF Open Networking Foundation
OPEX Operating Expenditures
ORI Open Radio equipment Interface
OTN Optical Transport Network
OTT Over The Top
PG Pooling gain
PHY Physical Layer
PTP Point to Point
PRB physical resource block
QoS Quality of Service
RAN Radio Access Network
RF Radio Frequency
RRH Remote Radio Head
SC-FDMA Single Carrier - Frequency Division Multiple Access
SDH Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
SDN Software Defined Networks
SLA Service Level Agreement
SON Self-Organizing Networks
SW Software
TCO Total Cost of Ownership
TDD Time Division Duplex
TD-SCDMA Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access
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UE User Equipment
UL Uplink
UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
VM Virtual Machine
VNF Virtualized Network Function
WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
WDM Wavelength Division Multiplexing
WNC Wireless Network Cloud
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Chapter 1
Introduction
In the last few decades, mobile wireless communication networks have experienced a remarkable
change. Its generation generally refers to a change in the nature of the system, speed, technology,
frequency, data capacity, latency etc. Each generation have standards, different capacities, new
techniques and new features which differentiate it from the previous one. The first generation
(1G) was analog and used for voice calls only. The 2G is a digital technology and supports text
messaging.
The 3G mobile technology provided higher data transmission rate, increased capacity and
provide multimedia support. The 4G integrates 3G with fixed internet to support wireless mobile
internet, which is an evolution to mobile technology and it overcome the limitations of 3G. It
also increases the bandwidth and reduces the cost of resources. 5G stands for 5th Generation
Mobile technology and is going to be a new revolution in mobile market which has changed the
means to use cell phones within very high bandwidth. User never experienced ever before such
high value technology which includes all type of advance features and 5G technology will be
most powerful and in huge demand in near future.
The ever-increasing demand for more bandwidth means that network providers are faced with
new challenges in terms of giving customers what they want. Evolving to C-RAN transport
architecture not only improves the efficiency, performance, and capacity of existing networks, it
also provides significant cost savings in the areas of capital expenditures and operational
expenses.
A C-RAN is an architecture where the Digital Units or BBU are placed at a centralized location,
and the Remote Radio Units (RRU’s) are placed at distances up to several kilometers away from
the BB site. The connection from a BBU to a RRU is typically a fiber facility which is referred to
as “fronthaul” to differentiate it from backhaul which connects the BBU to the network. This
report will discuss the background and origin of the C-RAN architecture and the cost savings
that can be achieved using this approach.
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1.2 project Aims

This project discuss Centralized and Cloud RAN Evolution ,Architecture and world-wide
Implementation scenarios as one of technologies that proposed to solve problem of increasing
number of connected devices and mobile network traffic. The project proposed some ideas for
the evolution of the Egyptian mobile networks market to C-RAN through introduce some main
C-RAN market players-solution such as Ericsson Huawei, NEC and COMMSCOPE. Also this
project shed light on economical-study of C-RAN And the best recommend solution for Egypt
1.3 Report Organization

In this report we'll exhibit the following content. In Chapter 2 we interpret the Evolution of
Mobile Generations and how the applied services play the major part in the development of the
technology. In Chapter 3 we exploit the Key Technologies that highly expected to C-RAN. Some
of these Technologies are extended enhancement of the previous generations and the other are
cutting-edge with extensive research and prototyping experimentation. In chapter 4 worldwide
solutions for C-RAN implementation. In Chapter 5 we study market, companies work on C-RAN
& cost analysis. In Chapter 6 conclusion and recommended solution in Egypt.
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Chapter 2
Mobile Networks Generations
2.1 Introduction
The first mobile phone system was established in Japan and the launch for first mobile system
was occurred in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. After these progress, the generations
for MWC starts. In this report, we presented the detailed survey of different generations of
mobile communication networks. The 1G mobile phone networks uses analog signals to transmit
the voice calls only between the two transmitters. 2G mobile network is the next stage in the
development of wireless technology to overcome the limitations of 1G by primarily focusing on
transmission of voice and data with digital signals. 3G was arrived because of low speed and
incompatible technologies used on previous generations. The main features of 3G is that it
allows higher data transmission rates and increased capacity for traditional voice call and high
speed data applications such as Global Roaming, internet, mobile, video conferencing, video
calls and 3D gaming. 4G is known as beyond 3G, stands as an acronym for fourth generation
communication system which describes the next step in wireless communication.4G is called as
MAGIC because the users can use the mobile multimedia at anytime anywhere with global
mobility support on integrated wireless solution and customized personal service at higher data
rates than previous generations. 5G is a packet switched wireless mobile communication system
with extensive area coverage and high through put. Hence it is called as Real World Wireless or
wireless World Wide Web (WWWW)
2.2 The First Generation

These phones were the first mobile phones to be used, which was introduced in 1982 and
completed in early 1990. It was used for voice services and was based on technology called as
Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS). The AMPS system was frequency modulated and
used frequency division multiple access (FDMA) with a channel capacity of 30 KHz and
frequency band of 824- 894MHz. Its basic features are:
 Data rate 2.4 kbps

 Allows voice calls in 1 country
 Use analog signal.
 Poor voice quality
 Poor battery life
 Large phone size
 Limited capacity
 Poor handoff reliability
 Poor security
 Offered very low level of spectrum efficiency
It introduces mobile technologies such as Mobile Telephone System (MTS), AMTS, Improved
Mobile Telephone Service (IMTS), and Push to Talk (PTT). It has low capacity, unreliable
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handoff, poor voice links, and no security at all since voice calls were played back in radio
towers, making these calls susceptible to unwanted eavesdropping by third parties
Figure 2.1: Architecture of Advance Mobile Phone System [1]
2.3 The Second Generation

Global System Mobile (GSM) was emerged in late 1980s. It uses digital signals for voice
transmission. Main focus of this technology was on digital signals and provides services to
deliver text and picture message at low speed (in kbps). It uses the BW of 30 to 200 KHz. Next
to 2G, 2.5G system uses packet switched and circuit switched domain and provide data rate up to
144 kbps. e.g. GPRS, CDMA and EDGE. The main features of 2G and 2.5G are:
 Data speed was up to 64kbps

 Use digital signals
 Enables services such as text messages, picture messages and MMS (Multimedia
message)
 Provides better quality and capacity
 Unable to handle complex data such as videos.
 Required strong digital signals to help mobile phones work. If there is no network
coverage in any specific area, digital signals would weak.
The GSM technology was continuously improved to provide better services which led to
development of advanced Technology between 2G and 3G
 Provides phone calls

 Send/receive e-mail messages
 Web browsing
 Data rate: 64-144 kbps
 Camera phones
 Take a time of 6-9 mins. to download a 3 mins. MP3 song
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2.3.1 GSM & GPRS Network Architecture
Figure 2.2: GSM & GPRS Network Architecture [2]
2.4 The Third Generation

3G is based on GSM and was launched in 2000. The aim of this technology was to offer high
speed data. The original technology was improved to allow data up to 14 Mbps and more using
packet switching. It uses Wide Band Wireless Network with which clarity is increased. It also
offers data services, access to television/video, new services like Global Roaming. It operates at
a range of 2100MHz and has a BW of 15-20MHz used for High-speed internet service, video
chatting. The main features of 3G are:
 Data rate 2 Mbps
 Typically called smart phones
 Increased BW and data transfer rates to accommodate web-based applications, audio and
video files.
 Provides faster communication
 Send/receive large email messages
 High speed web/more security/video conferencing/3D gaming
 Large capacities and broadband capabilities
 TV streaming/mobile TV/Phone calls
 To download a 3 minute MP3 song only 11 sec-1.5 mins time required.
 Expensive fees for 3G licenses services
 It was challenge to build the infrastructure for 3G
 High BW requirement
 Expensive 3G phones
 Large cell phones
3G mobile system was called as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) in

Europe, while CDMA2000 is the name of American 3G variant. Also the IMT2000 has accepted
a new 3G standard from China, (TD-SCDMA). WCDMA is the air-interface technology for
UMTS.
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2.4.1 UMTS Network Architecture
Figure 2.3: UMTS Network Architecture [2]
2.5 The Fourth Generation (LTE)

4G offers a downloading speed of 100Mbps. 4G provides same feature as 3G and additional
services like Multi-Media Newspapers, to watch T.V programs with more clarity and send Data
much faster than previous generations. LTE (Long Term Evolution) is considered as 4G
technology. 4G is being developed to accommodate the Quality of Service (QoS) and rate
requirements set by forthcoming applications like wireless broadband access, Multimedia
Messaging Service (MMS), video chat, mobile TV, HDTV content, Digital Video Broadcasting
(DVB), minimal services like voice and data, and other services that utilize BW. The main
features of 4G are:
 Capable of provide 10Mbps-1Gbps speed

 High quality streaming video
 Combination of Wi-Fi and Wi-Max
 High security
 Provide any kind of service at any time as per user requirements anywhere
 Expanded multimedia services
 Low cost per-bit
 Battery uses is more
 Hard to implement
 Need complicated hardware (HW)
 Expensive equipment required to implement next generation network
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Figure 2.4: LTE Network Architecture [4]
2.6 Fifth Generation (5G)
5G was started from late 2010s. Facilities that might be seen with 5G technology includes far
better levels of connectivity and coverage. The main focus of 5G will be on world-Wireless
World Wide Web (WWWW). It is a complete wireless communication with no limitations. The
main features of 5G are:
 It is highly supportable to WWWW

 High speed, high capacity
 Provides large broadcasting of data in Gbps.
 Multi-media newspapers, watch TV programs with the clarity(HD Clarity)
 Faster data transmission that of the previous generation
 Large phone memory, dialing speed, clarity in audio/video
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2.7 COMPARISON OF ALL MOBILE GENERATIONS

Table (2.1): Comparison of Mobile Generation: 1G to 5G [1]
Technology 1G 2G 3G 4G 5G
Start/Deployment 1970-80 1990-2004 2004-10 Now soon
Data Bandwidth 2Kbps 64 Kbps 2 Mbps 1 Gbps <1 Gbps
Technology Analog Digital CDMA 2000, Wi-Max, Wi- WWWW

UMTS,EDGE Fi, LTE
Core Network PSTN PSTN Packet N/W Internet Internet
Multiplexing FDMA TDMA/CDMA CDMA CDMA CDMA
Switching Circuit Circuit,Packet Packet Packet All Packet All
Primary Service Analog Phone Digital Phone Calls Phone calls, All-IP Service High speed,
Calls and Messaging Messaging, (including High capacity
Data Voice and provide
Messages) large
broadcasting of
data in Gbps
Key Mobility Secure, Mass adoption Better Internet Faster Better coverage
differentiator experience Broadband and no droped
Internet, calls, much
Lower lower latency,
Latency Better
performance
Weakness Poor spectral Limited data rates, Real Battery use is

efficiency, major difficult to support performance more,
security issue demand for internet fail to match Required
and email type, failure of complicated ------------------
WAP for and expensive
internet access hardware
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Chapter 3
C-RAN Technologies
3.1 Introduction
Base Transceiver Station (BTS), NodeB, eNodeB. Those are the names used to describe a base
station in GSM, UMTS and LTE standards, respectively. As a concept, and logical node, a base
station is responsible for receiving signal from/sending to user, prepare it to be send up
to/received from the CN and organize transmission. Physically, this node can be deployed as a
standalone base station, base station with RRH or C-RAN
The most prominent way to increase network capacity is by either adding more cells, creating a
complex structure of Heterogeneous and Small cell Networks (HetSNets) or by implementing
techniques such as multiuser MIMO as well as Massive MIMO, where numerous antennas
simultaneously serve a number of users in the same time frequency resource. However, this
results in growing inter-cell interference levels and high costs.
C-RAN also has the potential to decrease the cost of network operation, because power and
energy consumption are reduced compared to the traditional RAN architecture. New BBUs can
be added and upgraded easily, thereby improving scalability and easing network maintenance. A
virtualized BBU Pool can be shared by different network operators, allowing them to rent Radio
RAN as a cloud service. As BBUs from many sites are co-located in one pool, they can interact
with lower delays – therefore mechanisms introduced for LTE-A to increase spectral efficiency
and throughput
3.2 Base Station architecture evolution

C-RAN is a network architecture where BB resources are pooled, so that they can be shared
between base stations. Figure 3.1 gives an overview of the overall C-RAN architecture compared
with traditional RAN. This section gives an introduction to base station evolution and the basis
of the C-RAN concept.
Figure 3.1: Statistical multiplexing gain in C-RAN architecture for mobile networks [5]
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The area which a mobile network covers is divided into cells, therefore mobile networks are
often called cellular networks. Traditionally, in cellular networks, users communicate with a base
station that serves the cell under coverage of which they are located
3.2.1 Traditional architecture

In the traditional architecture, radio and BB processing functionality is integrated inside a base
station. The antenna module is generally located in the proximity (few meters) of the radio
module as shown in Figure 3.2a as coaxial cables employed to connect them exhibit high losses.
This architecture was popular for 1G and 2G mobile networks deployment.
3.2.2 Base station with RRH
In a base station with RRH architecture, the base station is separated into a radio unit and a
signal processing unit, as shown in Figure 3.2b. The radio unit is called RRH. RRH provides the
interface to the fiber and performs digital processing, digital to analog conversion, analog to
digital conversion, power amplification and filtering. The BB signal processing part is called a
BBU or Data Unit (DU). This architecture was introduced when 3G networks were being
deployed and right now the majority of BS use it the distance between a RRH and a BBU can be
extended up to 40 km, where the limitation is coming from processing and propagation delay
Optical fiber and microwave connections can be used. In this architecture, the BBU equipment
can be placed in a more convenient, easily accessible place, enabling cost savings on site rental
and maintenance compared to the traditional RAN architecture
Figure 3.2: Base station architecture evolution [6]
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Where a BBU needs to be placed close to the antenna. RRHs can be placed up on poles or
rooftops, leveraging efficient cooling and saving on air-conditioning in BBU housing. RRHs are
statically assigned to BBUs similarly to the traditional RAN. One BBU can serve many RRHs.
RRHs can be connected to each other in a so called daisy-chained architecture. An IR interface is
defined, which connects RRH and BBU. Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) is the radio
interface protocol widely used for In-phase/Quadrature (IQ) data transmission between RRHs
and BBUs - on IR interface. It is a constant bit rate, bidirectional protocol that requires accurate
synchronization and strict latency control. Other protocols that can be used are Open Base
Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI) and Open Radio equipment Interface (ORI), For LTE BS
the X2 interface is defined between base stations, the S1 interface connects a base station with
mobile CN
3.2.3 Cloud base station

In C-RAN, in order to optimize BBU utilization between heavily and lightly loaded base
stations, the BBUs are centralized into one entity that is called a BBU/DU Pool/Hotel. A BBU
Pool is shared between cell sites and virtualized as shown in Figure 3.2c. A BBU Pool is a
virtualized cluster which can consist of general purpose processors to perform BB (PHY/MAC)
processing. X2 interface in a new form, often referred to as X2+ organizes inter-cluster
communication as well as communication to other pools. C-RAN is the term used now to
describe this architecture, where the letter C can be interpreted as: Cloud, Centralized processing,
Cooperative radio, Collaborative or Clean. Figure 3.3 shows an example of a C-RAN mobile
LTE network. The fronthaul part of the network spans from the RRHs sites to the BBU Pool.
The backhaul connects the BBU Pool with the mobile CN. At a remote site, RRHs are co-located
with the antennas. RRHs are connected to the high-performance processors in the BBU Pool
through low latency, high BW optical transport links. Digital BB, i.e., IQ samples, are sent
between a RRH and a BBU. Table 3.1 compares traditional base station, base station with RRH
and base station in C-RAN architecture.
Figure 3.3: C-RAN LTE mobile network [5]
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Table (3.1): Comparison between traditional base station, base station with RRH and C-RAN [5]
Architecture Radio and BB Problem it addresses Problems it Causes
Functionalities
Traditional base Co-located in one Unit High power
station consumption
Resources are
underutilized
Base station with Spitted between RRH and Lower power Resources
RRH BBU. consumption. are underutilized
RRH is placed together with More convenient
antenna placement of BBU
at the remote site.
BBU located within 20-40
km away.
Generally deployed
Nowadays
C-RAN Spitted into RRH and BBU. Even lower power Considerable
RRH is placed together with consumption. transport resources
antenna at the remote site. Lower number of between RRH and
BBUs from many sites are BBUs needed - cost BBU
co-located in the pool reduction
within 20-40
km away.
3.3 Virtualization in Cloud RAN

Virtualization is one of the main concepts behind Cloud RAN together with centralizing the BB
processing. In Cloud RAN, virtualization is used to create the virtualized BBU pools that are
operated on multiple Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) servers. Virtualization technology
separates resources into virtual entities from the underlying physical HW. This enables the
dynamic allocation of resources such as memory, processing power and storage to be used by
different applications. In virtual environment applications and functions operate on top of the
Virtual Machines (VMs).
VMs can share resources effectively to achieve better utilization, scalability and efficiency. VMs
are managed and created by hypervisor, which is the virtualization layer on top of the HW.
Adding or removing VMs depending on the traffic for example can improve the HW utilization
even further. In Cloud RAN VMs are responsible for handling the different BBU functionalities
inside the virtualized BBU pool.
3.4 Network Function Virtualization

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is a new network architecture concept that allows
decoupling the network functions from the network HW. The purpose of using NFV is to
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virtualize different network functions from proprietary HW to Virtual Network Functions

(VNFs) on COTS HW in Cloud RAN NFV is used to virtualize network functions from the
proprietary BB HW to virtualized BBU pools or often also called VNFs on the cloud servers.
VNFs usually consists of different VMs, which have their own dedicated functions. VNFs are
also independent of the underlying HW and can therefore be easily created, moved, copied and
deleted. NFV is based on COTS HW and, therefore, there is no vendor lock-in. The underlying
HW can be chosen from a variety of different traditional manufacturers.
Uses of HW that supports open standards, platforms and services can enable faster innovation
and reduce life cycles through SW updates rather than HW updates. Another benefit of having a
virtualized server platform close to the mobile edge is the ability to host services such as content
caching, which the end-users in mobile networks can experience as improved performance due to
lower latency and faster access to content. Available un-used server capacity can also be sold to
parties that can benefit from computing on the mobile edge.
3.5 Software Defined Networking

Software Defined Networking (SDN) is another important concept in virtualization of BB
resources in C-RAN. SDN decouples network control plane (CP) and forwarding plane, which
enables programmability of the network control function and allows the underlying physical
infrastructure to be abstracted from applications and services In SDN architecture, SW based
centralized SDN controller is responsible for the network intelligence and maintains the overall
view of the network. SDN controller simplifies the network structure and operations by
managing the network from centralized location instead of having to deal with management of
multiple vendor specific devices and protocols separately.
Another key feature of SDN is open interfaces between devices and controllers, which allows
more flexibility for the operator to manage the network. Where NFV replaces the proprietary
HW with SW running on top of COTS HW, SDN replaces the standardized networking protocols
with centralized control. SDN architecture in C-RAN provides the ability to enable fast
deployment of new SW applications and dynamically adapt to the changing traffic patterns in the
network. Open Flow developed by Open Networking Foundation (ONF) is common protocol
used between network devices and controllers in SDN southbound interface
3.6 NFV and SDN in Cloud RAN

C-RAN can be seen as an application of NFV and SDN, where NFV enables the easy scalability
and creation of new virtual BBU instances as needed and SDN acts as the connection between
the virtual BBU instances and the radios that need them. Application of both NFV and SDN
makes it possible to run different radio standards on the same BBU pool HW platform and
integrate their processing resources into the whole BBU pool. NFV and SDN are not dependent
on each other and can be applied to the network separately, but they complement each other and
integrating both technologies can provide the scalability and flexibility required from the future
mobile networks.
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3.7 Advantages of C-RAN

Both macro and small cells can benefit from C-RAN architecture. For macro base station
deployments, a centralized BBU Pool enables an efficient utilization of BBUs and reduces the
cost of BS deployment and operation. It also reduces power consumption and provides increased
flexibility in network upgrades and adaptability to non-uniform traffic. Furthermore, advanced
features of LTE-A, such as Co-operative Multi-Point processing technology (CoMP) and
interference mitigation, can be efficiently supported by C-RAN, which is essential especially for
small cells deployments.
Also it have high computational processing power shared by many users placed closer to them,
mobile operators can offer users more attractive Service Level Agreements (SLAs), as the
response time of application servers is noticeably shorter if data is cached in BBU Pool. Network
operators can partner with third-party service developers to host servers for applications, locating
them in the cloud.
3.7.1 Cost savings in CAPEX and OPEX:

Centralizing and virtualizing the BB processing and moving site support equipment to BBU
hotels and data centers reduces the amount of equipment needed at the cell sites, thus reducing
CAPEX. Use of cloud computing and centralization also makes upgrading the network capacity
easier and cheaper. HW upgrades can be made by adding more servers to centralized locations,
instead of installing new HW to every cell site separately. Cell sites in centralized architecture
have much simpler functionality and require less power when the BB processing is centralized,
but the number of cell sites will remain the same. RRHs can be attached to places like roof tops
and poles, where there is no need for cooling and they can operate with minimum site support
and management. Therefore the network construction speed is quicker and cost savings can be
achieved with reduced power consumption, less equipment and better resource utilization.
Centralization will also reduce site rental and operation and management costs of the network.
3.7.2 Capacity and spectral efficiency improvements:

BS in Cloud RAN’s BBU pool can work together and easily share signaling data, traffic data and
Channel State Information (CSI) of active user equipment (UE’s) in the network due to the
nature of centralized BB processing. Cloud RAN also enables easy implementation of joint
processing and scheduling, which can help to mitigate inter-cell interference and improve
spectral efficiency. For example, CoMP in LTE -Advanced) can be implemented in Cloud-RAN
infrastructure with ease.
3.7.3 Adaptability to non-uniform traffic:

Traditional BS are dimensioned for peak capacity to be able to provide network coverage to
users even if a large event like a music festival is being held in the area. This means that a lot of
processing power is going to waste during the time when the base station is not running at full
capacity. With centralization and virtualization of BB processing in C-RAN, BBU pools can
handle traffic from multiple cell sites and the dimensioning can be done for the average capacity
of all connected base stations. In C-RAN the required BB processing capacity in BBU pools is
24
expected to be much less than the sum of capacity requirements of individual base stations. This
is due to pooling gain (PG), as in BBU pools the peak capacity requirement does not have to be
taken account in every single base station and BS can be dimensioned for the average capacity.
Thus, the resource utilization is much better than in the current RAN architecture.
3.7.4 Energy efficient
In centralized architecture BB processing HW, air conditioning and other site equipment are
centralized and better utilized, thus power consumption can be expected to decrease. C-RAN’s
virtualized BBU pools also enable better resource utilization during low traffic hours, when it is
possible to scale down the number of virtualized BBUs to reduce power consumption. Co-
operative radio technology decreases the distance between the UE and RRHs due to reduced
interference among RRHs and thus allowing higher cell density. Reduced distance between UE
and RRH means more energy efficient signal transmission, prolonged UE battery life and overall
decreased power consumption in the RAN
3.7.5 Smart Internet traffic offload and services on the edge
Centralization of BB functionalities provides a point for traffic offload and content management
to reduce the traffic on the operator’s CN that is caused by growing Internet traffic from
smartphones and other devices. Benefits of this are reduced back-haul and CN traffic and costs,
reduced latency for the users, which means better Quality-of-Experience for the users
3.8 Challenges of Cloud RAN
3.8.1 RRH and BBU pool connection with optical fiber
In fully centralized C-RAN architecture fronthaul must carry a significant amount of BB

sampling data in real-time for several kilometers over an optical link between the RRH and BBU
pool. Centralized BBU pool should be able to support 10-1000 cell sites, which is why such a
huge amount of data is required to be carried in the fronthaul network CPRI interface.
Additionally, the fronthaul network must support strict requirements for transport latency,
latency jitter and it must be cost efficient Building a large optical fiber fronthaul network to
support C-RAN can be expensive, which can make C-RAN unattractive option compared to
other RAN architectures in terms of costs. Data compression techniques in the fiber and
introduction of new transport nodes for fronthaul transmission can be used to reduce the fiber
consumption. Thus, reducing the heavy burden of the fronthaul. Moving towards more
distributed functional split can also be considered as an option to reduce burden on the fronthaul
3.8.2 BBU pool interconnection and clustering

Centralized architecture aggregates large number of BBUs to same physical location, which
requires special attention to guarantee network security and reliability. High system reliability is
important in centralized architecture to recover from unit failures and errors and to allow flexible
resource sharing between BBUs. This can be achieved with high BW, low latency, cost efficient
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switch network with flexible topology that interconnects BBUs inside the BBU pool. Switch
network allowing flexible routing of digital BB processing signals between any RRH and BBUs
can prevent the failure of the entire system in case of single BBU failure happens. Optimal cell
clustering in BBU pools is required for achieving multiplexing gains (MG) and preventing the
BBU pool and transport network from overloading.
The BBU pool should consists of cells from different traffic areas such as office, residential and
commercial areas to optimize the number of active BBUs and RRHs in the BBU pool. Optimal
cell placement in BBU pools should maximize the BBU pool resource utilization, by combining
cells so the total sum of the traffic does not differ much at any time.
3.8.3 Advanced co-operation with transmission and reception
Current LTE networks suffer from much more severe interference problems than 2G or 3G
networks, due to large number of deployed small cells to achieve higher data rates. Important
aspects of Cloud RAN are also to improve spectral and energy efficiency and reduce Inter Cell
Interference (ICI), which can be done with collaborative radio and joint signal processing
techniques. CoMP Joint Transmission (JT) algorithms are viable in Cloud RAN and can be used
to improve the system performance in the previously mentioned aspects. CoMP JT algorithms
require end-user data, uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) information to be shared between Cloud
RAN base stations.
Information such as end-user data packages, UE channel information and cloud base station’s
scheduling information that might be shared can require real-time processing. This means that
Cloud RAN base station interfaces should be designed to support high BW and low latency to
achieve the real-time processing requirements with low backhaul transmission delay and
overview. Combining CoMP JT with cell clustering algorithm will reduce complexity of
scheduling, which means that well designed scheduler in Cloud RAN can impact the spectral
efficiency
3.8.4 Base station virtualization

One of the biggest challenges of base station virtualization is meeting the strict demands of
mobile signal real-time processing constraints in the virtual environment. Implementing
dedicated HW accelerators can help achieving the requirements. Successful base station
virtualization is a lot harder in mobile networks than in standard IT data center setting due to
extremely strict requirements for real-time processing in wireless communication.
For example, Time-Division Duplexing Long Term Evolution (TDD-LTE) system requires that
an ACK/NACK must be sent back to UE or base station under 3ms after the frame is received.
Standard IT data centers cannot meet such requirements so the base station virtualization needs
special optimization and design to meet the requirements of the wireless mobile communication.
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Chapter 4
C-RAN Implementation Scenarios
4.1 Transport Network

As fiber cables is the most prominent solution for the physical medium, its availability for the
network operator needs to be taken into account choosing the optimal transport network solution.
Moreover, operators may want to reuse their existing deployments. Various transport network
solutions are presented in Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1: Possible fronthaul transport solutions [8]
4.2 RRH development

This section presents requirements and solutions for RRH that are compatible with C-RAN. The
existing RRHs are expected to work in a fully centralized C-RAN architecture in a plug-and-play
manner. In case of partially centralized C-RAN architecture L1 needs to be incorporated in RRH.
The biggest difference between RRHs deployed for C-RAN compared to previous solutions is
that in C-RAN transmission the signal occurs over many kilometers, while in the latter
architecture this distance is shorter, typically up to few kilometers. Therefore, the additional
delay caused by increased transmission distance needs to be monitored. In addition, the higher
27
bit rates need to be supported. In order to transport 10 Gbps CPRI rate, the maximum CPRI line
bit rate option 8, i.e., 10.1376 Gbps needs to be deployed, which is supported so far by standard
CPRI v 6.0. Additional upgrade of the standard is needed to accommodate more traffic, at least
16 Gbps to fully serve a 3 sector 20 MHz LTE macro cell with 4x2 MIMO, Existing standards -
CPRI and OBSAI can support connections between the BBU Pool and RRHs in C-RAN.
Moreover. However, as the nature of the interface between RRH and BBU is changing with an
introduction of C-RAN, the existing protocols may need to be redefined in order to be optimized
for high volume transmission over long distances.
Alcatel-Lucent is offering a light Radio solution for C-RAN. It uses a multiband, multi standard
active antenna array, with MIMO and passive antenna array support. Alcatel- Lucent is working
towards two multiband radio heads (one for high and one for low bands). Built-in digital
modules are used for BB processing. For C-RAN L1, L2 and L3 are separated from radio
functions. In 2012, Ericsson announced the first CPRI over microwave connection
implementation, which is interesting for operators considering the deployment of a partially
centralized C-RAN architecture
4.3 Synchronized BBU Implementation

This section provides considerations on possible BBU implementation. The advantages and
disadvantages of different processors types that can be used in C-RAN are discussed. The
interconnection between BBUs is required to work with low latency, high speed, high reliability
and real time transmission of 10 Gbps. Furthermore, it needs to support CoMP, dynamic carrier
scheduling, 1+1 failure protection and offer high scalability. Dynamic carrier scheduling
implemented within the BBU Pool enhances redundancy of BBU and increases reliability.
The BBU Pool needs to support 100 BS for a medium sized urban network (coverage 5x5 km),
1000 BS for 15x15 km. In addition, it is beneficial when BBU has the intelligence to support
additional services like Content Distribution Network (CDN), Distributed Service Network
(DSN) and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). Virtualization of base station resources is needed to
hide the physical characteristics of the BBU Pool and enable dynamic resource allocation. There
are also challenges for real time virtualized base station in centralized BBU Pool, like high
performance low-power signal processing, real time signal processing, BBU interconnection as
well as between chips in a BBU, BBUs in a physical rack and between racks. Optimal pooling of
BBU resources in needed in C-RAN. The resource pooling time scale is of the order of several
minutes, however, it can be expected it can be done with finer granularity further optimizing the
results.
4.4 Likely deployment Scenarios

C-RAN is intended to be an alternative delivery of cellular standards, like UMTS, LTE, LTE-A
and beyond. It is a RAN deployment applicable to most typical scenarios, like macro-, micro-
and picocell, as well as for indoor coverage. This section elaborates on likely deployment
scenarios for C-RAN including green field deployments, i.e., establishing the network from
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scratch, as well as deployment of additional cells for boosting the capacity of an existing
network.
Moreover, different stages of C-RAN deployment to leverage its full potential are listed. It is
advised to deploy C-RAN in metropolitan area to benefit from statistical MG, as users are
moving through the day, but still remain within the maximum distance (resulting from
propagation and processing delay, up to 40 km) between RRH and BBU. However, a
metropolitan area might be served by a few BBU Pools.
Figure 4.2: C-RAN deployment scenarios [8]
a) HetNets. Existing BBUs of macro BS can be replaced by BBU Pool and additional RRHs
can be deployed to form small cells.
b) Cell split. Existing macro cells can be split into smaller ones increasing the system
capacity. Interference management techniques are needed as all the cells will operate at
the same frequency. C-RAN can enhance cooperative techniques like CoMP and eICIC.
This scenario can also be used to provide indoor coverage by deploying RRHs on each
floor of the building or group of offices offering high capacity. However, in this scenario
Wi-Fi can be a cheaper solution, if users will have Wi-Fi connection in their devices
switched on, enabling offload from cellular network to Wi-Fi.
c) Overlay. Additional frequency band or a new cellular standard can be introduced to boost
system capacity. In Figure 4.2 one RRH provides coverage in frequency f1. Additional
RRHs operating on frequency f2 provide overlay coverage. Efficient interference
29
management techniques like CoMP and enhanced Inter-cell Interference Coordination

(eICIC) are needed in this scenario, as many RRH operate at the same frequency f2.
d) Super-hot spots, e.g., stadium, transportation hub. It is a scenario where many users are
present in one location. Small cells are needed to assure the capacity, as well as provide
the coverage in complex scenery, e.g., with balconies, ramps, etc. The density of users is
high; therefore, it is crucial to efficiently support interference management schemes like
CoMP and eICIC.
e) Railway/highway. Users are moving with a fast speed in this scenario, therefore BBU
Pool shall handle frequent handovers faster than traditional RAN. Figure 4.2 summarizes
C-RAN transport solutions and physical layer (PHY) architecture discussed in this
chapter. Moreover, a possibility of sharing BBU Pool and rent RANs is emphasized. For
a particular network operator, the choice of physical medium and transport network
depends on whether an existing infrastructure is already deployed.the following
subsections describe the transport options which are potential candidates for CPRI
transport, but it is implied that several cases can be obtained by combining some of the
transport options.
4.5 Connection Methods
4.5.1 Dedicated Fiber

With dedicated fiber fronthaul, each RRH is connected to the BBU over a point to point fiber
pairs or a single fiber if bidirectional fibers are used. In such scenarios, fronthaul is transported
over point to point fiber pairs (each carrying a separate flow for each BBU-RRH CPRI port
pairs). Any fronthaul interface can be used even though an already defined public standards are
mostly preferred such as CPRI. As a special case, when an intermediate nodes are present in the
infrastructure, the Point to Point (PtP) connection is routed via Optical Distribution Frames
(ODFs), a passive interconnection fabric. With the above assumptions, the method is categorized
as passive solutions.
This transport option is important for scenarios where operators have a large installed base of
available fiber. However, the cost associated with deploying new fiber and issue of the fiber
availability limits the broad applicability of this transport option. It has several advantages: no
extra equipment cost for transmission and its simplicity- no additional equipment is added to the
network. Because of this, the latency contribution caused by the fronthaul network over lower-
layer technology is zero and the fronthaul traffic is transported "as it is". Considering a basic
fronthaul implementation, the maximum E2E latency consists of the delay components for UL
BBU and RRH, DL BBU and RRH, and the propagation delay along the fronthaul link (tTR=0).
On the other hand, requiring extra equipment for monitoring and large consumption of fiber are
among the major challenges of this approach. Figure 4.3 illustrates dedicated fiber mobile front
haul network option in which gray optical modules are used in both the RRH and BBU, SFP.
30
Due to the above-mentioned problems, point to point fiber is not practical for the majority of C-
RAN deployments.
Figure 4.3: Point to point fiber [9].

4.5.2 Passive WDM
Passive Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)-based fronthaul deploys WDM networking

to a fronthaul network. Traffic flows in the fronthaul network are transmitted on separate
wavelength channels using WDM transceivers operating according to WDM technology. This
enables multiplexing of several wavelengths into fewer fibers using a passive WDM multiplexer
in each cell sites.
Figure 4.4 presents a passive WDM in which the incoming wavelengths are split by means of
passive demultiplexers and is sent to separate CPRI ports of BBUs. Depending on the specific
requirement of the network, CWDM or Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)
technologies are directly deployed in the RRH and BBU with a passive Optical Add/Drop
Multiplexer (OADM) to multiplex the colored wavelength onto a single fiber pair. CWDM
technology is best suited for outdoor equipment because it doesn’t require temperature control
and is capable of multiplexing about 16 wavelength channels into a single fiber. In most cases,
the maximum number of RRH in cell site (assuming several sectors, RATs, and antennas) is less
than this number of wavelengths.
Hence, it is possible to aggregate all traffic flows of the whole cell site fronthaul into a single
fiber. Comparing to dedicated fiber, this solution is more relevant because it greatly reduces the
amount of fiber without affecting the energy consumption. Below is a list of the major drawback
and merits of passive based Mobil fronthaul.
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Figure (4.4): Passive WDM [9]
o Passive WDM-based fronthaul has the following advantages:

• Potential low cost for CWDM technology. Hence, it is the most practical one.
• No need of active components on the passive multiplexer. Thus, it offers high reliability
and is suitable for outdoor deployment.
• Reduce significant use of fiber.
• Provide 16-channels per fiber (CWDM).
o Despite their attractive advantages, passive WDM also comes with their own
disadvantages:
• Not bidirectional (It requires 2 fibers per link).
• Inventory management required to align optics color with RRH-BBU link. • Lack of
native Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM): fault isolation is
operationally challenging and expensive.
• Lack of clear demarcation points between wireless access point and fronthaul
equipment.
Similarly, Active WDM enables the use of 1310 nm gray wavelength in the RRH and BBU by
employing a separate transponder.
Figure 4.5: Active WDM [9]
Figure 4.5 illustrates active WDM-based mobile fronthaul where an external device is used on
the transponder for OAM propose. The active components in the figure introduce an asymmetric
latency in the UL and DL directions. In addition to this, it requires two WDM optical modules
for UL and DL CPRI links.
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Figure 4.6: Active WDM solutions use active transponders [10]
4.5.3 What are C-RAN small cells
In traditional wireless architectures, each physical base station combines BB processing and
radio functions. With C-RAN the BB processing for many cells is centralized. Benefits of C-
RAN include improved performance due to the ability to coordinate between cells, and also cost
reductions as a result of pooling resources.
The C-RAN concept has generally been applied to outdoor macro-cells. However, it can also be
applied to small cells that provide distributed coverage across a large indoor space, such as an
office building, coliseum or other large venue. CommScope’s One Cell solution applies the
C-RAN architecture principle of BB centralization to small cells. However, One Cell goes
beyond ordinary C-RAN solutions in four important respects:
o It creates a single cell

o It coordinates the functions of multiple radio endpoints
o It uses standard IP Ethernet LANs for fronthaul
o It leverages many other small cell benefits
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Figure 4.7: baseband processing is centralized in the Baseband Controller [11]
The One Cell solution’s design yields critical advantages, because it:
 Improves wireless user experience

 Adds capacity without interference via cell virtualization
 Simplifies capacity planning and upgrades
 Reduces macro network interference
 Reduces deployment costs
 Provides a future-ready solution
 Improves wireless user experiences

Traditional small cells, when densely deployed across a large indoor space, create large areas of
overlap between cells. Interference occurs at these borders. Some enterprise small cells use a
central service controller to assist with handovers and backhaul aggregation, but it cannot
overcome the physics that each cell interferes with its neighbor. CommScope testing and iBwave
modeling have shown that SINR (signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio) in these overlap zones
can drop anywhere from 10 to 25 dB, reducing data speeds by up to 90 percent and impairing
VoLTE voice quality.
Creating multiple independent cells also generates the need for frequent handovers, degrading
the user experience in introducing the potential for handover failures or constant back-and-forth
handovers between adjacent cells—a phenomenon known as “ping-ponging.”
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One Cell creates a single cell that eliminates cell borders altogether. It accomplishes this by
centralizing the scheduling of users across the Radio Points. Unlike a service controller, One
Cell’s BB Controller performs LTE resource block scheduling centrally across all the Radio
Points and all the users, so it provides a strong signal that is consistent throughout the coverage
area (no handovers required).
Figure 4.8: Interference in traditional Small Cells and One Cell [11]
 Adds capacity without interference via cell virtualization
Network functions virtualization (NFV) has become a strategic tool for mobile network
operators. C-RAN architecture provides an opportunity to go beyond NFV to virtualizing the
actual radio resources. C-RAN-enabled cell virtualization lets operators provide higher capacity
without introducing inter-cell interference.
COMMSCOPE’s One Cell solution creates a single physical cell across a large area to eliminate
border interference and handovers. Even so, One Cell is not limited to the capacity of a single
cell. Instead, multiple virtual cells can be created within a single physical cell using a
breakthrough approach called cell virtualization.
Cell virtualization enables the transmissions of unique user data within the same LTE resources
but directed to different radios for different users. The C-RAN BBU "knows" the location of
each user, so it can determine when two users are sufficiently isolated from one another to serve
them at the same time, reusing the same LTE physical resource blocks (PRBs) without risk of
interference.
This form of virtualization puts intelligence into the reuse of spectrum rather than the
uncoordinated, static reuse of spectrum in traditional small cells. As a result, it achieves the
multi-sector capacity of many standalone small cells, with up to a 1,000 percent increase in user
data rates at the cell edge-an order of magnitude improvement-through the elimination of border
interference. It even improves battery life because the user device need only track a single cell.
It’s no surprise that cell virtualization is a consistent theme in discussions of 5G standards. But
the benefits of cell virtualization are available in LTE today with CommScope’s One Cell
solution.
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 Simplifies capacity planning and upgrades

C-RAN small cells provide capacity benefits beyond those achieved through cell virtualization.
In a traditional small cell architecture, each access point provides a fixed amount of capacity for
its coverage area. This works well only if usage is evenly distributed across the venue—a
condition that rarely holds true. The result is that some access points will be overloaded and
others relatively idle.
With the One Cell solution, capacity is pooled in the central BB Controller and allocated
dynamically to wherever the usage is at any given moment. This makes it possible to handle the
natural movement of users throughout an area, and to take full advantage of the system’s
capacity.
C-RAN also simplifies capacity expansion. With standalone small cells, the only way to add
capacity is to add cells-along with the new cell border overlaps that cause interference. With One
Cell, capacity can be added centrally at the BB Controller, without creating new cells or cell
borders.
Figure (4.9): User Capacity Centralization [11]
 Reduces macro network interference

The single-cell C-RAN approach used in COMMSCOPE’s One Cell solution helps operators
manage and mitigate interference between small cells and the macro network in several
important ways:
o One Cell uses a single reference signal, allowing it to avoid neighboring macro reference
signals.
36
o Multiple One Cell Radio Points can jointly transmit to an individual UE, helping
overcome an interfering macro signal without having to boost Radio Point transmit power
to the extent that it would interfere with the macro network.
o Joint UL reception means One Cell Radio Points can jointly receive UL transmissions
from a single UE, which are then combined at the controller. This enables the UE to
transmit at a lower power, reducing its interference on the macro UL.
o Inter-Radio Point interference rejection combining enables the BB Controller to perform
interference rejection combining (IRC) to detect and cancel the signals from a nearby
macro-attached UE, minimizing its interference to the One Cell system.
o Interference from a strong macro signal at one side or corner of the building can be
remedied by increasing the transmit power of access points, or by adding access points, in
the affected area. Because the system forms a single cell, this can be done without
creating new interference.
 Reduces deployment costs

The C-RAN small-cell architecture of COMMSCOPE’s One Cell solution reduces costs
throughout the deployment lifecycle. Because One Cell creates a single cell without border
interference, it eliminates the need for specialized and tedious radio frequency and handover
planning. Likewise, changes to the system design, for example adding or moving Radio Points,
are non-disruptive.
Unlike macro BBU-based solutions, the One Cell solution uses standard Ethernet LANs and
Cat5e cabling for fronthaul. There is no need for proprietary network elements or costly coax or
fiber cabling. Radio Points are powered over Ethernet (PoE), eliminating the need for separate
power distribution to antenna sites. This “Wi-Fi-like” deployment model greatly reduces cost
and complexity of design, installation and subsequent system changes. Physical installation can
be performed by IT people with general LAN installation skills.
As a small cell solution, One Cell has been optimized for high-volume, low-touch deployment.
The system is plug and play; the Radio Points and BB Controller automatically discover each
other and authenticate. One Cell gets its configuration automatically from the COMMSCOPE
Device Management System (DMS) in the operator’s CN. A suite of self-organizing network
(SON) capabilities ensure the system is optimized for its macro environment. As a result, One
Cell optimizes all aspects of performance while minimizing the effort, expertise and cost
required to design, deploy and maintain the system.
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 Provides a future-ready solution

COMMSCOPE recognizes that in-building networks must constantly evolve in response to
growing service demand and changes in technology. One Cell’s C-RAN architecture was
designed from the ground up to flexibly accommodate these changes.
One Cell’s single-cell C-RAN architecture makes it easy to add capacity and coverage to existing
deployments. Because capacity is pooled in the BB Controller, new capacity can be added at the
controller without affecting the radio or antenna infrastructure. If coverage needs to be extended
to a new part of the building, Radio Points can easily be added where needed. Because they
create no new cell borders, the existing infrastructure is not impacted.
One Cell supports multi-carrier and multi-operator deployments. Frequency bands are SW-
selectable across common HW. An initial HW installation can be provisioned for different
frequency bands or even different mobile network operators, to support neutral host business
models. One Cell’s BB Controller uses a powerful macro-grade chipset that can be SW-upgraded
to support LTE-advanced features.
4.6 Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN)

As operating frequency for the LTE standard is approaching the Shannon limit, the most
prominent way to increase coverage is by either adding more cells, resulting in massive estate
requirements. Additionally, RAN power consumption and complex interfaces due to
heterogenous networks contribute to cost hike. On the other hand, 5G networks will be
characterized by massive data traffic, higher mobile subscriptions and new services with strict
QoS requirements. Therefore, operators need an intelligent approach guaranteeing network
management and service.
A novel mobile architecture C-RAN was first proposed, which has the potential to answer the
above-mentioned challenges. In C-RAN, BB processing is centralized in a virtualized BBU Pool.
The BBUs adapt to non-uniform traffic and implement joint processing technologies to improve
system performance necessary for future mobile networks. The reduction in number of BBUs
lead to decrease in network operation cost, as improved energy optimization is attained
compared to traditional architectures.
The BBU pool to be shared by different network operators and interact with lower delays to
increase spectral efficiency because of virtualization of the same. Hence, CRAN acts as a
platform for coexistence of diverse services. Compared to traditional network, CRAN has the
potential to facilitate easy upgrades, load balancing between cells and efficient intra-BBU pool
handover, thereby improving scalability and performance.
Even though there are other prospective candidates to address traditional network challenges, but
they fail to employ collaborative features like CRAN, remain underutilized during off-peaks and
equally difficult to upgrade and repair.
38
4.6.1 Architecture
In C-RAN, BB processing is centralized in a virtualized BBU Pool which is connected to RRH
via optical fiber. The link connecting BBU and RRH is called fronthaul and BBU and Evolved
Packet Core (EPC) is called backhaul. BBU is responsible to provide MAC PHY and Antenna
Array System (AAS) functionalities, and RRH functions to provide high data rate for UEs. For a
given area all the RRHs are handled by a single BBU pool. Inter cell coordination (ICI) is made
significantly easier due to direct communication within BBUs. Figure 4.10 shows CRAN
architecture for LTE EPC.
Figure 4.10: C-RAN architecture for LTE EPC [12]
 The C-RAN can be deployed in three different structures depending on the

degree of centralization as presented below:
a) Full centralization: In this structure, layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3 base station functions are in
BBU. This solution provides several benefits like easier upgrading, efficient resources sharing
and support sharing between different network operators. However, the need for high BW in
future networks like 5G will lead to challenges in fronthaul in networks having full
centralization.
b) Partial centralization: The RRH incorporates layer 1 and radio functionalities. Layer 2 and 3
functions are continued in the BBU.
c) Hybrid centralization: In this structure, Layer 1 functions in the BBU pool are partly
migrated to a separate processing unit, which may be a part of the BBU pool to gain maximum
resource sharing and reduce BBU energy consumption.
39
4.6.2 C-RAN benefits towards 5G

The telecommunication industry now has a reasonable view of 5G service requirements, and
network providers with cutting deployment timelines for rapid deployment of 5G want to
introduce CRAN paradigm and concepts to meet the timelines. The operators are driven by the
benefits CRAN can offer towards 5G. Some of the major advantages are briefed below:
• Cost and Energy Optimization: BBU pooling and placement in cloud both cost and energy
needed for network operation is reduced.
• Spectral efficiency enhancement: Frequency reuse at the cell site improves the spectral
efficiency by decreasing resource allocation and base station densification at least provides
a marginal gain in resource allocation by improving Signal to Interface (SIR) reliability.
• Support legacy network and multiple standards: Traditional network and technologies,
including GSM, UMTS, HSDPA, LTE and LTE-A are supported by CRAN by
interconnecting and managing with these technologies directly through network elements.
• Improved security and adaptability: Centralized processing and encryption permits to adapt
to non- uniform traffic and develop better security algorithms for future mobile networks.
• Improving network management and flexibility: Management of resources and control of

network functionalities is easier in CRAN due to centralized processing.
• QoS support: CRAN supports different services with specific QoS metrics through
hierarchal QoS.
• Decrease CAPEX and OPEX: CRAN can attain 15% CAPEX and 50% OPEX decrease
owing to its centralized processing characteristic.
Table (4.1): Essential Drivers for operators to deploy CRAN [12]
Driver Percentage
Reduce OPEX 27%
Reduce CAPEX 25%
Increase Flexibility 23%
Improve scalability 12%
Other 13%
40
4.7 Software Defined Networking (SDN)

The essential enablers to realize the 5G network KPIs - programmability, flexibility (e.g.,
reusability, reconfigurability and resource sharing), compliancy and special features like mobile
edge computing, self-optimization, network slicing, automatic network management are SW
network technologies. The advantages of softwareization include OPEX and CAPEX reduction,
service lifecycle management, optimize energy consumption and high Quality of Experience
(QoE). This section provides more details on the 5G enabling SW network technology: SDN, as
well as their impact on the network architecture.
4.7.1 SDN Architecture

SDN refers to the ability of SW applications to program individual network devices dynamically
and therefore control the behavior of the network. SDN helps delivering a programmable
network design and operation management in a dynamic and scalable fashion. The forwarding
and CP is separated in SDN framework through abstraction between the legacy forwarding and
CP, which allows to control the network through programming. SDN aims to reduce complexity
and assist in fast innovation at forwarding and CP.
a) Application layer and Northbound Application Programming Interface (API): the

applications excluding the ones which in any form support the operation of the forwarding plane
(e.g. routing in the CP) and services which define network behaviors are in this layer. The SW
interface between the controller platform and VNF applications running on the top layer is called
the Northbound Open API. The open source community, customers and partners are working
towards the development of these interfaces. OpenStack which is an open source provider aims
to host NFV API into the SDN architecture.
b) Control layer: this layer is responsible for making routing decisions and pushing the
decisions down the network devices for execution. The device forwarding plane is mostly the
area of focus rather than the operational plane of the device. For few instances, the operation
plane information such as the current state of a port or its capabilities is required by the CP. The
main function of the CP is tune the flow tables based on the network topology and external
service requests. In figure 4.11, Open Day light (ODL) controller is placed in the core of the
41
architecture, which consist of the programmable modular structure. Note that any of the existing
controllers can be used in the controller platform.
c) Infrastructure layer: the control communications between the controller platform and data
plane devices (physical and virtual switches) is defined by the Southbound Protocols.
It considers the flexibility requirements in planning and deploying SDN. OpenFlow (OF) is one
the main protocols defined for the Southbound interface, however other protocols such as Border
Gateway Protocol (BGP) and SNMP is also supported.
Figure 4.11: Proposed architecture - Software Defined Virtualized Cloud Radio Access Network
(SD-vCRAN) and Programmable EPC [12]
42
4.8 A Future Vision to Implement C-RAN in Mobile Networks in Egypt
From our point, we recommend the active WDM solution for the implementation of centralized
RAN in Egypt. The active WDM solution is adoptable with many transmission technologies, so
this will reduce the cost of the implementation. RRHs can be connected with the active WDM
equipment wired through fiber or wireless through microwave links that already have been
installed in LTE sites. WDM multiplexers and centralized office BBUs can be installed beside
the telecom centrals and connect between multiplexers and BBUs office through the
infrastructure of the Telecom company.
Figure 4.12: Active WDM Solution Architecture [10]
4.8.1 Active WDM solution’s equipment
There many vendors have an experience in centralized RAN implementation and have solutions
already have been installed for different operators that used centralized BBUs office. Those
vendors like Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, NEC, etc. The two main vendors in Egypt are Huawei
and Ericsson. We will say in brief their equipment that are used in active WDM fronthaul
solution.
43
4.8.1.1 Ericsson’s Solution

o Ericsson RRHs (Fronthaul 6322 & Fronthaul 6388)
Figure 4.13: Ericsson RRH, Fronthaul 6322 [14]
 IP65 hardened all-outdoor active high-density remote unit with Ericsson Radio System
building practices and support for flexible topologies
 9 services per port
 (e)CPRI (2-8), OBSAI (1G-6G), Ethernet (GE/10GE)
Figure 4.14: Ericsson RRH, Fronthaul 6388 [14]
 Outdoor active remote unit with dedicated transponders, low power consumption, wall or
pole mount and support for any topology
 3 or 6 services per port
 (e)CPRI (2-8), OBSAI (1G-6G), Ethernet (GE/10GE)
44
o Ericsson BBUs (Baseband 5216)
Figure 4.15: Ericsson BBUs, Baseband 5216 [14]
Ericsson’s Baseband products are the first in the world supporting deca (10) mode; GSM,
WCDMA, LTE FDD, LTE TDD, LTE LAA, LTE M1, Massive MIMO, 5G NR, EC GSM, and
NB IoT, in a single board. This enables a fast roll out, with the smallest possible footprint and a
low power consumption. Investments are future proof, as boards are capable of running all
technologies, and capacity can dynamically be changed from one technology to another with
software only, without any need to go to site and update hardware. The complete portfolio
includes solutions that are optimized for all kinds of sites.
o Ericsson MUXs (Fronthaul 6688)
Figure 4.16: Ericsson MUXs, Fronthaul 6688 [14]
 Indoor ’stack-and-go’ remote active unit with dedicated transponder cards, supporting
any topology
 3 or 6 services per port
 CPRI (2-8), OBSAI (1G-6G), Ethernet (GE/10GE)
45
4.8.1.2 Huawei’s Solution
o FO OTN Fronthaul product (RRHs)
 Saving 90%+ Fiber, single fiber bi-direction, single fiber carries 15 CRPI traffics for 4G,
and maximum save the dark fibers.
 “0” service interruption, high reliable: Supports 1+ 1 and ring networking, hitless
protection via latency compensation technology. When the Fronthaul network protection
switch, the BBU and the RRU does not need to be renegotiated, no services interrupting.
 FMC service access, fast ROI: Give consideration to mobile transport, FBB and
enterprise service access, to maximize network value.
Figure 4.17: Huawei RRHs, FO OTN Fronthaul [15]
o Huawei BBUs (DBS 3900)
Figure 4.18: Huawei BBU “DBS 3900” [15]
The BBU3900, a baseband unit, performs the following functions:

 Provides ports for connection between the eNodeB and the MME or S-GW and processes
related transmission protocol stacks.
 Provides CPRI ports for communication with the RRU and processes uplink and
downlink baseband signals.
 Performs centralized management of the entire DBS3900 LTE in terms of Operation and
Maintenance (OM) and signaling processing.
 Provides the OM channel for connection to Local Maintenance Terminal (LMT) or
iManager M2000.
46
 Provides the clock port for clock synchronization, alarm monitoring port for environment
monitoring, and USB port for commissioning.
o Huawei MUXs OSN 1800 Series

The OptiX OSN 1800 series products include OptiX OSN 1800 V, OptiX OSN 1800 II, and
OptiX OSN 1800 I. The OptiX OSN 1800 integrates both OTN and WDM features and
uniformly transmits various services at the metro network edge, including broadband, private
line, and mobile services. It also supports the unified transmission of multiple services ranging
from 2 Mbit/s to 100 Gbit/s, unified switching of OTN/PKT/SDH services, and automatic
commissioning at the optical layer. In this way, OptiX OSN 1800 flattens networks, reduces
network deployment and O&M costs, and provides optimal solutions for various metro
scenarios.
Figure 4.19: Huawei MUXs [15]
47
Chapter 5
Economical RAN Architecture Deployment
5.1 Introduction
The objective of this chapter is to study the main cost model parameter for C-RAN deployment
scenarios. This can give a better understanding of the future RAN architectures in terms of costs.
The main purpose "What is the most economical Radio Access Network architecture for the
given use case and existing cellular network deployment?”
5.2 Challenges of RAN

Challenges of today’s RAN architecture are mostly related to growth and expansion of the
network due to increasing number of connected devices and mobile network traffic. Existing
wireless network infrastructures were made for handling voice traffic and the change to data-
oriented traffic has overwhelmed the networks especially in densely populated areas and
Challenges of RAN is:
 High costs
 High energy consumption
 Base station over-dimensioning
 Closed solutions
 Spectrum availability and Interference
5.3 Cloud RAN’s business benefits

Cloud RAN aims to tackle the challenges of the current distributed RAN architecture and its
business benefits can be recognized on the following areas.
Cost effective: C RAN’s more effective scaling for traffic growth and large-scale pooling gains
can bring savings to both CAPEX and OPEX.
Improving economics of RAN operation is among the most important drivers for MNOs together
with system efficiency, ability to improve scalability and resource utilization. C RAN aims to
meet the demands of rapidly increasing mobile data traffic with low costs.
Efficiency: Centralizing and virtualizing the baseband processing in Cloud RAN improves the
utilization of baseband processing hardware with more effective use of resources. Therefore,
Cloud RAN also has the potential to reduce the energy consumption in RAN and provide an eco-
friendlier infrastructure
48
Open Innovation: C RAN’s cloud-based architecture is flexible and scalable, and it has the
ability to meet the demands of new applications and services. The use of COTS cloud servers
offers the ability to build cost effective multi-vendor solutions with better compatibility. C RAN
supports open innovation on the mobile edge with easy MEC deployment on the same cloud
servers.
5G and IoT readiness: 5G is estimated to be worth 220 billion euros for the MNOs, and
respectively the Internet of Things is estimated to be 484-billion-euro business opportunity.
Cloud RAN will bring the foundation for 5G with improved spectral efficiency, peak data rates
and lower latency. Existing LTE-A, transport and cloud infrastructure can be re-used for fast
deployment of new 5G access. Cloud RAN’s multi-connectivity layer can be used to host 5G,
LTE and Wi-Fi Cloud based multi-layer access network to save costs on individual RAN
deployments
5.4 COST Model

Cost calculations part of the Cloud RAN TCO model calculates the CAPEX, OPEX and TCO for
all four architectures following the flow chart. The calculations are based on
 Each year’s bill of material
 Network configuration data and financial data.
 The CAPEX and OPEX calculations consist of the costs required for setting up and
operating RAN. The final output of the RAN cost modeling is TCOs for the evaluated the
cost architectures of the 4 types of RAN [6].
Bill of material Network configuration data Financial data

-BBM HW per year Number of cell site HW & SW Prices
-cloud hardware per number of data center Operating & maintenance
year
CAPEX Estimation OPEX Estimation
D-RAN Cloud D- Cloud C-RAN

C-RAN TCO TCO
TCO RAN TCO
Figure 5.1: Cost modeling flow chart
49
More details parameter (figure 5.2)
C RAN HW and SW Data
BBM unit Number of CPUs per Estimated Active RF,baseband

energy server VM and VNF pooling gains for and Cloud software Cabinet unit
consumption capacity limits Cloud RAN licenses
Figure 5.2: C-RAN HW and SW data
5.5 Cost calculations
CAPEX calculations:
CAPEX in this model includes investments into BBM hardware, cloud server hardware and
software licenses. Calculating CAPEX is done by using the bill of material, which contains all
the required hardware and software items for each year and the financial data, which contains the
pricing information for the required items.
Total cumulated CAPEX for the network architecture is therefore:
CAPEX ∑
Where CBBM is the cost of BBM hardware, CBBSW is the cost of baseband software, CCHW is the
cost of cloud hardware, CCSW is the cost of cloud software and CRFSW is the cost of RF software
in year.
OPEX calculations
OPEX includes energy cost, rental costs, baseband capacity upgrade costs, Operation and
Maintenance (OAM) costs and hardware and software maintenance fees. Calculating the OPEX
for the network is done by using the bill of material from network dimensioning, network
configuration data and financial data.
Where Cenergy is the energy cost, Crent is the rental cost, CBBup is the baseband capacity upgrade
cost, COAM is the OAM cost and Cmaint is the hardware and software maintenance cost in year.
50
 baseband processing hardware (Ptot) (Yearly) can be calculated with
𝑷 ∑ 𝑖 ∗ 𝑁𝑖 i=total number of unit

J=total number consuming power in cloud servers
P=power consumption
 Yearly energy consumption (Etot) in kilowatt hours is therefore
Etot= ∗ 24ℎ ∗ 365𝑑

 Yearly energy cost (Cenergy) is then calculated with
C energy = Etot * Ckwh

 Total baseband capacity upgrade cost for the network per year is:
C BBup = U D-up *N D-BBM + U C-up * N C-BBM + U DC-up * Nserver
U= represents the baseband capacity upgrade cost
n =represents the number of new BBM units required to be installed
51
Chapter 6
Conclusion and Future Work
6.1 Conclusion
From our study in this report, we reach to how the evolution of radio access networks can
improve the operators’ networks to achieve needs of data growth and reduce CAPEX/OPEX.
With the centralized processing of the C-RAN architecture, the number of base station sites can
be reduced. Thus, the operation cost can be reduced. This directly translates into CAPEX and
OPEX reduction. Small cells with lower transmission power can be deployed while network
coverage and capacity are improved. In C-RAN, virtual base stations (macro, micro or small) are
aggregated in a large physical BBU pool where they can easily share signaling, and data for
active users in the system. With C-RAN, it is much easier to implement algorithms to mitigate
inter-cell interference and improve spectral efficiency.
C-RAN architecture can efficiently handle non-uniform data traffic due to the load-balancing
capability in the distributed BBU pool. As an example, due to user mobility, the serving RRH
can change dynamically, while the serving BBU is still in the same C-BBU or V-BBU pool. C-
BBU or V-BBU resource sharing during peak data demand periods is efficient since processing
power and memory within the pool can now be dynamically allocated depending on demand.
C-RAN architecture supports multistandard operations and multicell collaborative signal

processing, making it easier to upgrade and expand network capacity from the aggregated point.
The integration of SDN architecture with C-RAN enables new software applications and
intelligence in the network. The C-RAN architecture inherently facilities flexible network
topology designs.
There are many different solutions for C-RAN implementation, we recommend the active WDM
centralized solution for C-RAN implementation in Egypt. The active WDM solution is adoptable
with many transmission technologies, so this will reduce the cost of the implementation. RRHs
can be connected with the active WDM equipment wired through fiber or wireless through
microwave links that already have been installed in LTE sites. WDM multiplexers and
centralized office BBUs can be installed beside the telecom centrals and connect between
multiplexers and BBUs office through the infrastructure of the Telecom company. There many
vendors have an experience in centralized RAN implementation and have solutions already have
been installed for different operators that used centralized BBUs office. Those vendors like
Huawei, Ericsson, NEC, etc. The two main vendors in Egypt are Huawei and Ericsson.
52
6.2 Future Work
The traditional base station functional split between baseband and radio functionalities was fine
for short scale deployments, e.g., between rooftop and basement. However, with C-RAN,
bringing fronthaul into metropolitan scale with ever-growing capacity needs, more disruptive
solutions are needed. Future work could investigate how the varying network load for several
data streams from a variable-bit rate splits affects synchronization accuracy. The proposed
source scheduling algorithm does not cover scenarios with uplink traffic exceeding downlink.
Moreover, it is assumed that only one BBU pool is present in the network. A more generalized
algorithm for source scheduling, with multiple BBU pools and possibly other services present in
the network, is of interest for 5G.
53
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55

A Future Vision To Implement C-RAN in 4G & 5G Mobile Network in Egypt

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Ministry of Communications

and Information Technology

Next Technology Leaders

Professional Training Programs on Communications and Information Technology

Modern Wireless Technologies

A Future Vision to Implement C-RAN in 4G & 5G

Abdelrahman Mahmoud Ahmed

Under The Supervision of

Chapter 2: Mobile Networks Generations

Chapter 3: C-RAN Technologies

Chapter 4: C-RAN Implementation Scenarios

Chapter 5: Economical RAN Architecture Deployment

Chapter 6: Conclusion and Future Work

HSUPA High Speed Uplink Packet Access

1.2 project Aims

1.3 Report Organization

2.2 The First Generation

 Data rate 2.4 kbps

Figure 2.1: Architecture of Advance Mobile Phone System [1]

2.3 The Second Generation

 Data speed was up to 64kbps

 Provides phone calls

2.3.1 GSM & GPRS Network Architecture

Figure 2.2: GSM & GPRS Network Architecture [2]

2.4 The Third Generation

3G mobile system was called as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) in

2.4.1 UMTS Network Architecture

Figure 2.3: UMTS Network Architecture [2]

2.5 The Fourth Generation (LTE)

 Capable of provide 10Mbps-1Gbps speed

Figure 2.4: LTE Network Architecture [4]

2.6 Fifth Generation (5G)

 It is highly supportable to WWWW

2.7 COMPARISON OF ALL MOBILE GENERATIONS

Start/Deployment 1970-80 1990-2004 2004-10 Now soon

Data Bandwidth 2Kbps 64 Kbps 2 Mbps 1 Gbps <1 Gbps

Technology Analog Digital CDMA 2000, Wi-Max, Wi- WWWW

Core Network PSTN PSTN Packet N/W Internet Internet

Multiplexing FDMA TDMA/CDMA CDMA CDMA CDMA

Switching Circuit Circuit,Packet Packet Packet All Packet All

Weakness Poor spectral Limited data rates, Real Battery use is

3.2 Base Station architecture evolution

3.2.1 Traditional architecture

Figure 3.2: Base station architecture evolution [6]

3.2.3 Cloud base station

Figure 3.3: C-RAN LTE mobile network [5]

3.3 Virtualization in Cloud RAN

3.4 Network Function Virtualization

virtualize different network functions from proprietary HW to Virtual Network Functions

3.5 Software Defined Networking

3.6 NFV and SDN in Cloud RAN

3.7 Advantages of C-RAN

3.7.1 Cost savings in CAPEX and OPEX:

3.7.2 Capacity and spectral efficiency improvements:

3.7.3 Adaptability to non-uniform traffic:

3.7.4 Energy efficient

3.7.5 Smart Internet traffic offload and services on the edge

3.8 Challenges of Cloud RAN

3.8.1 RRH and BBU pool connection with optical fiber

In fully centralized C-RAN architecture fronthaul must carry a significant amount of BB

3.8.2 BBU pool interconnection and clustering

3.8.3 Advanced co-operation with transmission and reception

3.8.4 Base station virtualization