New era in shared C-RAN and core network: A case study for efficient RRH usage

Abstract

Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing and Cloud-RAN (C-RAN) are two major candidates for next generation mobile networks. RAN sharing ensures efficient usage of network equipments among multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) and C-RAN benefits installation, evolution, management and performance improvements. Similarly, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) concept provides many features including hardware abstraction, programmable networking and centralized policy control. One of the main benefits that can be used along with these features is virtualization of RAN and core/backhaul networks to ensure network sharing among MNOs and efficient usage of the network equipments. In this work, we propose SDN-based C-RAN architecture including RAN controller integrated to virtualization controller that is crucial for core/backhaul network sharing towards next generation cellular network. In proposed architecture, eNodeB functions are shifted to the top of C-RAN controller as a consequence of separating baseband units from remote radio heads (RRHs). We further provide RRH assignment based load balancing algorithm that is executed at the top of the controller and allows sharing of RRHs among multiple MNOs. We evaluate its performance using traditional RRH distribution as benchmark and simulation results reveal that our proposed algorithm outperforms traditional distribution in terms of average number of connected user equipments to RRHs.