A Perspective of the Cellular Network of the Future: Cloud-RAN

Abstract

The increasingly widespread use of smartphones capable of delivering high bandwidth content is leading to an exponential growth in the volume of traffic carried by mobile networks. The solution to this can be found in a new distributed architecture called Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) which offers a new paradigm in base station architecture. It is less costly for mobile operators to deploy because it could run on smaller cell sites. In a C-RAN setup, the baseband processing elements of a traditional base station are centrally located and connected to smaller, distributed radios, often via fiber. The concept of C-RAN lowers cost and power dramatically and has recently generated significant interests among the research community. Though some mobile operators across the globe are evaluating, or even already migrating to, C-RAN architectures, this paper will explain the need for C-RAN architecture, the drivers behind it and about the recent advances in mobile fronthaul solutions. This paper also contains comprehensive details of the various C-RAN deployment methodologies based on the mobile traffic needs and describes about the perception of C-RAN technology by different mobile operators.