Product Code: GCRANTMA-S-2015
This report provides a comprehensive technology analysis on centralized radio access network (C-RAN) architecture for mobile networks. A detailed analysis covering the implementations and evolution of the radio access network is included along with case studies from mobile operators.
Features
- Definitions and explanations of D-RAN. C-RAN, Cloud Ran, Virtual RAN, BBU Pool
- Partition Point Analysis for BBU-RRH link
- Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) Analysis
- Backhaul Analysis for C-RAN
- Fronthaul Analysis for C-RAN
- OEM Product Analysis
- Mobile Operator Field Trials
- Total Pages: 80
- Total Tables: 6
- Total Exhibits: 54
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS
CHAPTER 1: ORIGINS AND DEFINITION OF C-RAN
- History of Distributed Base Station Deployment
- The First Real Deployment of Baseband Pooling
- Summary of C-RAN Concept
- C-RAN Name Invention from China Mobile
- C-RAN Benefit Claims
- Summary:
CHAPTER 2: THE BASIC CONCEPT AND STRUCTURE OF C-RAN
- Introduction
- Baseband Unit (BBU) Pool
- Centralized BBU Pool with RRH Switching
- Baseband Processing Server or Data Unit (DU)
- The Concept of Cloud RAN
- Fronthaul Solutions and Clock/Phase Synchronization.
CHAPTER 3: C-RAN ARCHITECTURE DEVELOPMENT
- Mobile Service Providers Who Are Interested in C-RAN
- OEM Equipment Vendors Supporting C-RAN
- The Challenges Associated with C-RAN and its Claims
- C-RAN and DAS
- C-RAN Fronthaul Bandwidth Requirements.
- Conclusions:
CHAPTER 4: C-RAN CONCEPT EVOLUTION
- New RRH and BPU Partition Point
- Generic Processor for Baseband Server Implementation
- Use of High Speed Fiber Based Ethernet for C-RAN Fronthaul
- Coarse and Dense WDM and Daisy-Chaining for Fronthaul
- Experiments and Conclusions
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
- Network Evolution to Meet Growing Demand
- Future Proof Architecture
- Economical Benefits
- Feasibility of Cloud RAN and Virtual RAN
SUMMARY
APPENDIX A: ABBREVIATIONS
TABLES
- Table 1: Comparison of Compression Technologies
- Table 2: Required CPRI LTE BW per Radio Head (RH) to match ≤ 6.144 Gbit/s
- Table 3: CPRI Data Rate Requirement per Site
- Table 4: Summery of CPRI Data Rate without Overhead
- Table 5: Summery of CPRI Data Rate Including All Overhead
- Table 6: C-RAN Transport Network Comparison
EXHIBITS
- Exhibit 1: Diagram of Distributed Base Station Architecture
- Exhibit 2: OBSAI Base Station Reference Architecture Diagram
- Exhibit 3: Radio Access Network Architecture of Mid-Tex Cellular
- Exhibit 4: Remote Radio Cells and BBU Host Site
- Exhibit 5: C-RAN Concept from China Mobile
- Exhibit 6: Explanation of Downlink CoMP Operation
- Exhibit 7: Diagram of Baseband Unit Pool
- Exhibit 8: BBU Pool with Traffic Load Balancing Capability
- Exhibit 9: Inter-Cluster Neighbor Cell Information Exchange for CoMP
- Exhibit 10: Centralized Baseband Server
- Exhibit 11: 2 Architectures of C-RAN Proposed by China Mobile
- Exhibit 12: NGMN's View of C-RAN
- Exhibit 13: Huawei's C-RAN High Level Architecture
- Exhibit 14: Evolved to Hyper Cell and Virtual RAN.
- Exhibit 15: Huawei's Cloud RAN Prototype with General Purpose Processor
- Exhibit 16: Cloud RAN Concept from ZTE
- Exhibit 17: CWDM Based Fiber Fronthaul Configuration
- Exhibit 18: Uni-PON Transport Network Diagram
- Exhibit 19: C-RAN Deployed Scenarios with Existing Macro Cell Site
- Exhibit 20: Indoor Coverage Based on an Innovative Architecture
- Exhibit 21: SK Telecom C-RAN Solution
- Exhibit 22: Current Network Architecture of SK Telecom
- Exhibit 23: SK Telecom Near Term and Long Term Network Plan
- Exhibit 24: NTT DoCoMo Current and Advanced C-RAN Architecture.
- Exhibit 25: Alcatel-Lucent's Radio Access Network and C-RAN Illustration
- Exhibit 26: RRH, BBU, and the CPRI interface
- Exhibit 27: Alcatel-Lucent CPRI Fronthaul: Typical Configuration.
- Exhibit 28: Ericsson's View on C-RAN
- Exhibit 29: Ericsson's C-RAN Prototype with CoMP for China Mobile Trial in Qingdao
- Exhibit 30: Intel Test and Verification Platform
- Exhibit 31: Nokia Liquid Radio Product Concept
- Exhibit 32: ZTE C-RAN Deployment.
- Exhibit 33: Economical Analysis - Example of Super BBU Pool Construction.
- Exhibit 34: Saving on Single Base Station Construction Time.
- Exhibit 35: ZTE WDM/OTN Solution.
- Exhibit 36: Active DAS with Fiber and Coaxial Cable Distribution Network
- Exhibit 37: Block Diagram of CommScope Active DAS over Fiber
- Exhibit 38: Ericsson Radio Dot System
- Exhibit 39: Ericsson Radio Dot RBS Diagram
- Exhibit 40: Simulation Results for the Gain of CoMP
- Exhibit 41: Cell-edge CoMP Gain with Different Cells
- Exhibit 42: Capacity Gain Obtained by Each Resource Allocation Method
- Exhibit 43: Network Topology of C-RAN and Distributed RAN.
- Exhibit 44: China Mobile CoMP Field Trial Results, UL Throughput
- Exhibit 45: China Mobile CoMP Field Trial Results, UL CoMP Gain
- Exhibit 46: Architecture of a Traditional Radio Access Network
- Exhibit 47: An example of L2/L3 virtualization architecture for C-RAN virtualization
- Exhibit 48: C-RAN Implementation Scenarios
- Exhibit 49: Possible Fronthauling Interfaces from DU to RU
- Exhibit 50: GPP-based C-RAN large-scale PoC platform
- Exhibit 51: CWDM Fiber Ring Solution
- Exhibit 52: Power Consumption of Base Station
- Exhibit 53: CAPEX and OPEX Analysis of a Macro Cell Site
- Exhibit 54: CAPEX and OPEX Saving with Centralized RAN
