Performance Of Radio Access Network Research Articles

Functional Split Perspectives: A Disruptive Approach to RAN Performance Improvement

Radio access network (RAN) centralized processing and cell densification have been promising research and development focuses on the fifth generation (5G) network. The required centralized processing and complexity of an ultra-dense network can be effectively managed with the aids of cloud RAN (C-RAN). The focus on the C-RAN is due to its significant benefits concerning cost-effectiveness and performance optimization. However, the C-RAN mobile fronthaul (MFH) demands transport networks with very low-latency and very high-throughput. These requirements for the 5G use cases and deployment scenarios are stringent and uneconomical in the real-life scenarios. These growing requirements can be effectively lessened with the RAN functional split option (FunStiOn) techniques. This paper offers a comprehensive overview of the traditional C-RAN MFH and considers some viable RAN FunStiOn techniques that can help in relaxing the stringent requirements. The related trade-offs of the considered RAN FunStiOns are also presented. In addition, we offer and discuss a number of relevant cost-effective architectural variants that can relatively simplify the DU designs with low-footprints. The presented architectural variants can be employed to support different use cases of the emerging 5G networks depending on the deployment scenarios.

Decomposed Radio Access Network Over Deployed Passive Optical Networks Using Coherent Optical OFDM Transceivers

In this paper, it is proposed to take advantage of the deployed passive optical network (PON) infrastructure by overlaying a decomposed radio access network (RAN) using a very dense WDM. Coherent optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing technology is investigated for achieving the desired narrow channel spacings while minimizing the impact on the performance of legacy equipment. A practical implementation is evaluated using simulations. Within the analyzed configurations, a trade-off is found between time-division multiplexed (TDM)-PON and RAN performance. The optimum balance is found for additional losses in the TDM-PON path of less than 1 dB, ensuring simultaneous service to a maximum of 145 metro cells together with the PON customers and within a reach of 24 km.