5G RAN fundamentals
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The document discusses 5G radio access network (RAN) fundamentals and architectures. It describes how the RAN has evolved from previous generations with more distributed and virtualized architectures in 5G. Key aspects of 5G RAN covered include centralized/virtualized RAN, Open RAN specifications, functional splits, and new concepts like network slicing and multi-access edge computing. Example use cases are also mentioned.
5G RAN fundamentals
- 1. 5G RAN Fundamentals Ravi Sharma
- 2. Table of Contents • RAN fundamentals • Traditional v/s New RAN architectures • Disaggregation and plane separation • C-RAN, V-RAN and O-RAN • Examples/ Use cases
- 3. RAN Fundamentals • The radio access network (RAN) is the basic component of cellular technology • It has evolved through the generations of mobile communications (1G through 5G). • Example of RAN technology is • GRAN – GSM radio access network • UTRAN – UMTS radio access network • E-UTRAN • 5G RAN
- 4. Basic Components of mobile network Core Transport Radio access network (RAN): uses radio frequencies to provide wireless connectivity to the end user devises UE User Equipment – Generally a mobile phone or wireless CPE/dongle. Transport networks- It connects the RAN to Core part of mobile network. Also referred as backhaul. Mobile Core : It provides the control and connectivity within the network and out side the network Radio Access Network UE
- 5. Radio Access Network: Basic Components Base band Radio Antenna Digital Signal processing Digital information to radio signal Electrical Signal to radio waves Above is an example of traditional RAN set up 1. Baseband Unit 2. Radio Unit 3. Antenna
- 6. How the RAN Architecture evolved 2G 3G 4G 5G BTS BSC Nod eB RNC eNodeB Core Core Core RRU BBUCPRIRRU BBUCPRI RNC gNodeB Core RU DU CU AAU CPRI/eCPRI F1 • Possible C RAN deployment • BBU Pool • Functional Split based RAN deployment Options
- 7. How the RAN Architecture evolved 2G 3G 4G 5G 1. BTS is combination of Baseband & Radio 2. Centralized control in form of BSC 3. CPRI was not introduced 1. NodeB is combination of Baseband & Radio 2. Centralized control in form of RNC 3. CPRI introduced, RRU deployed on tower and BBU in shelter/ cabinate 1. eNodeB is combination of Baseband & Radio 2. Distributed control on eNodeB itself 3. CPRI based centralized BBU deployed in few countries 1. gNodeB is combination of Baseband & Radio 2. Distributed control on gNodeB itself 3. Functional Splits possible at MAC, L3 and Phy layer etc. providing multiple deployment options 4. DU & CU based on eCPRI interface and F1 interface respectively 5. AAU – RU + Antenna – Active antenna Unit is
- 8. 5G RAN – CRAN, O RAN , vRAN CRAN Centralized RAN has baseband processing unit in centralized location connected to multiple radio equipment via fronthaul. Conventional CRAN used CPRI as fronthaul standard, which requires very high bandwidth in 5G RAN scenario. vRAN 5G RAN becomes software- defined and programmable. This provides RAN architecture flexibility and platform simplification. In O-RAN based implementation, CU, DU can be installed as VNF/CNF on x86 based commodity hardware. Vendor specific implementation of vRAN need specialized hardware for DU. And vendor specific front haul equipment. O-RAN The O-RAN specifications defined open interfaces and new nodes to support virtualized RAN network, white-box hardware and standardized interfaces It standardized 7.2 functional split and front haul based on eCPRI framework. It introduces RAN Intelligence Controller (RIC) as a fundamental element which provides AI-driven policies and algorithms to manage RAN decision making.
- 9. 5G functional Splits Data link layer Physical Layer RF Low Phy High Phy MAC RLC PDCP Network layer RRC IP Transport Blocks MAC SDU RLC SDU Sub carriers IQ Symbols PDCP SDU RU DU CU eCPRI Ethernet The Split 2 and Split 7 are mostly recommended by open communities. Split 2 is mostly recommended for Small cell forum for small cell Split 7 is recommended from O RAN community, and a ecosystem of equipment provider are evolving. The traditional 5G vendors are also supporting Massive MIMO support the
- 10. 5G New Concepts MEC RAN Slicing Functional Splits Programmability – O RAN RIC Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) offers application developers and content providers cloud-computing capabilities and an IT service environment at the edge of the network. This environment is characterized by ultra-low latency and high bandwidth as well as real-time access to radio network information that can be leveraged by applications. 5G RAN slicing secures the efficient allocation of radio resources to support SLA fulfillment for a wide range of services and enabling new business Programmability of 5G RAN slicing -Software-Defined RAN (SD-RAN) controller dynamically reassigns resources to each slice. SD-RAN is developing a near-real-time RIC (nRT-RIC) and a set of exemplar xApps for controlling the RAN. The programmability is also because of virtualization of RAN infrastructure. The functional split determines how many Base Station (BS) functions to leave locally, close to the user, with the benefit of relaxing fronthaul network bitrate and delay requirements, and how many functions to centralize with the possibility of achieving greater processing benefits.
- 11. Example & use cases