Fronthaul Research Articles

Functional Split of Zero-Forcing Based Massive MIMO for Fronthaul Load Reduction

The evolution towards centralized radio access network (C-RAN) for 5G is driven by the need for improved network performance and reduced total-cost-of-ownership (TCO). In C-RAN, physically separated remote radio units (RRUs) and baseband units (BBUs) are connected via fronthaul (FH) links, which are capacity constrained. When base-station antennas are upgraded to support massive MIMO techniques, an intra PHY split between RRU and BBU becomes favorable to avoid the dramatic rate growth on the FH links. In this paper, we present a new uplink functional split alternative that decomposes the massive MIMO processing, on the basis of zero-forcing (ZF) equalization, into two phases: dimension-reduction phase and interference cancellation phase, which are implemented in RRU and BBU respectively. Compared with the traditional C-RAN architecture having all baseband processing in the BBU, the new scheme largely alleviates the FH load by reducing the number of FH streams to be equal to the number of MIMO user layers. Compared with an existing split that places all MIMO processing in RRU, the new scheme reduces the RRU complexity without compromising the post-processing performances.

Distributed MIMO Broadcasting: Reverse Compute-and-Forward and Signal-Space Alignment

We study a downlink distributed MIMO system where a central unit (CU) broadcasts messages to $K^{\prime }$ users through $K$ distributed BSs. The CU is connected to the BSs via $K$ independent rate-constrained fronthaul (FH) links. The distributed BSs collectively serve the users through the air. We propose a new network coding based distributed MIMO broadcasting scheme, using reverse compute-and-forward and signal-space alignment. At the CU, a network coding generator matrix is employed for pre network coding of the users’ messages. The network coded messages are forwarded to the BSs, where the FH rate-constraint determines the actual number of network-coded messages forwarded to the BSs. At the BSs, linear precoding matrices are designed to create a number of bins , each containing a bunch of spatial streams with aligned signal-spaces. At each user, post physical-layer network coding is employed to compute linear combinations over the NC messages with respect to the bins, which reverses the prenetwork coding and recovers the desired messages. We derive an achievable rate of the proposed scheme based on the existence of NC generator matrix, signal-space alignment precoding matrices, and nested lattice codes. Improved rate and degrees of freedom over existing interference alignment and compress-and-forward schemes are shown. Numerical results demonstrate the performance improvement, e.g., by as much as 70% increase in throughput over benchmark schemes.

Communication networks beyond the capacity crunch.

This issue of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Part A represents a summary of the recent discussion meeting ‘Communication networks beyond the capacity crunch’. The purpose of the meeting was to establish the nature of the capacity crunch, estimate the time scales associated with it and to begin to find solutions to enable continued growth in a post-crunch era. The meeting confirmed that, in addition to a capacity shortage within a single optical fibre, many other ‘crunches’ are foreseen in the field of communications, both societal and technical. Technical crunches identified included the nonlinear Shannon limit, wireless spectrum, distribution of 5G signals (front haul and back haul), while societal influences included net neutrality, creative content generation and distribution and latency, and finally energy and cost. The meeting concluded with the observation that these many crunches are genuine and may influence our future use of technology, but encouragingly noted that research and business practice are already moving to alleviate many of the negative consequences.

Redesigning fronthaul for next-generation networks: beyond baseband samples and point-to-point links

The fronthaul (FH) is an indispensable enabler for 5G networks. However, the classical fronthauling method demands for large bandwidth, low latency, and tightly synchronized on the transport network, and only allows for point-to-point logical topology. This greatly limits the usage of FH in many 5G scenarios. In this paper, we introduce a new perspective to understand and design FH for next-generation wireless access. We allow the renovated FH to transport information other than time-domain I/Q samples and to support logical topologies beyond point-to-point links. In this way, different function splitting scheme could be incorporated into the radio access network to satisfy the bandwidth and latency requirements of ultra-dense networks, control/data (C/D) decoupling architectures, and delay-sensitive communications. At the same time, massive cooperation and device-centric networking could be effectively enabled with point-to-multi-point FH transportation. We analyze three unique design requirements for the renovated FH, including the ability to handle various payload traffic, support different logical topology, and provide differentiated latency guarantee. Following this analysis, we propose a reference architecture for designing the renovated FH. The required functionalities are categorized into four logical layers and realized using novel technologies such as decoupled synchronization layer, packet switching, and session-based control. We also discuss some important future research issues.

Network Management System for (FUTON-like) Radio-over- Fiber Infrastructure

EU-Project FUTON Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) infrastructure proposes high transmission rates at small antenna costs, implying competitive CAPEX for next generation networks. But to be cost-efficient, it needs to employ new network architectures and intelligent technology solutions for decreasing network operational costs. The RoF Network Manager manages the network equipment on the optical front haul between the Central Unit (CU) and all Remote Antenna Units (RAU)s connected by it, as well as the communication links, while enabling end-to-end service problem resolution and service quality management by the FUTON Middleware. Although a significant amount of prior research work can be found in the literature related to RoF, there is still significant lack of technologies concerning RoF networks management. RoF Manager and its sub-systems target to fill such gap, proposing a novel concept in the form of Channel Forwarding Table (CFT). RoF Manager follows an autonomous and generic network management framework, designed to be scalable in terms of adding new network elements (NEs). It targets multitechnology, multi-service and multi-vendor NEs in the network using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). It can also provide alternative paths in case of failure. This work puts forward a new paradigm towards RoF management solution managing network performance, network faults, network security and configurations for convergent networks.

Methodological issues in investigations of massage/bodywork therapy. Part II. Making research designs and data credible: model fit validity, combining scientific soundness with the explanatory model of massage and bodywork therapies☆

This work reports the implementation of a multiband 5G new radio (NR) fiber-wireless (FiWi) system, using analog radio over fiber (A-RoF) technology. Our approach employs a 12.5-km optical fronthaul (FH) for transporting fifth-generation of mobile network (5G) signals up to a remote antenna unit, from which 10-m reach wireless transmissions are performed aiming indoor and outdoor enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) applications. The aforementioned 5G signals refer to a 5G NR standard at 26 GHz with 400-MHz bandwidth and DSP-based flexible-waveform signal at 3.5 GHz from our transceiver, which can be set as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), filtered-OFDM (F-OFDM) or generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM). Additionally, an investigation on the coexistence between 5G NR and Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) standards in FiWi systems using the 700 MHz band, aimed for long-range applications, is reported. Experimental results demonstrate 1.65 Gbit/s total wireless throughput in accordance with the 3GPP Release 15 root mean square error vector magnitude (EVMRMS) digital performance requirements.