Mobile Fronthaul optical transport for C-RAN architectures. Ingrid Nordmark VP R&D Transmode

Transcription

1 Mobile Fronthaul optical transport for C-RAN architectures Ingrid Nordmark VP R&D Transmode

2 Forecasted monthly mobile data traffic 1 Exabyte (EB) = 1000 million Gigabyte (10^18 Byte) Source: Cisco VNI mobile, Feb

3 Trends/evolution of mobile transport networks More capacity is needed in mobile transport networks Macro cells become more dense Small cells are introduced, enabling femto cells, in-building solutions, WiFi etc Multiple technologies, frequencies, cell sizes and network architectures are mixed Het-Nets are being deployed (mix of Small Cells, Macro Cells, Femto Cells etc) Mobile Fronthaul networks to bridge distance between radio and baseband unit 3

4 Power and space two issues that drive OPEX OPEX (Power consumption, OAM and space) represents 60% of T A cell site s power consumption represents the majority of a mobile operator s total power consumption Source: China Mobile 4

5 Distributed base station architecture Copper connected antenna Fiber connected antenna Remote Radio Head () placed in cell site cabinet Remote Radio Head () placed next to antenna Digital Radio over Fiber (D-RoF) from antenna to cell site cabinet AX D-RoF Cell site cabinet Cell site cabinet Small cells would typically use a single, macro cell would use 3+ s Small cells would typically use a single, macro cell would use 3+ s RRU: Remote Radio Unit : Base Band Unit : Remote Radio Head D-RoF: Digital Radio over fiber (CPRI/OBSAI) Benefit: Saves energy! 5

6 Implications on transport Technology evolution enables use of optical interfaces in cell site equipment 1. Allows distributed base station architecture 2. Allows centralized RAN (Radio Access Network) 3. Allows Cloud RAN This opens up for WDM deployments in mobile fronthaul networks 6

7 Mobile Fronthaul and Mobile Backhaul Mobile Fronthaul The connection between the two main parts of a cellular base station; the baseband unit and radio unit. Mobile Backhaul The network between the core network and the sub networks at the edge. Mobile Fronthaul Mobile Backhaul IP MPLS Network Central Office 7

8 Mobile Backhaul supporting multiple Radio Accesses Macro cells Small cells Mobile Fronthaul Mobile Backhaul Small cells WiFi Radio Access Architectures (RAA) 8

9 Evolution of mobile transport networks Today s mobile networks are based on multi-layer technology Quality of the end user s experience will rely on all underlying technologies Mobile networks are evolving 3 In near time the backhaul and fronthaul networks will merge to one transport network. Baseband pooling will be placed closer to the mobile core network. Introduction of SDN. 2 The evolution of mobile networks, centralization of radio basebands, introduction of small cells requires a more efficient transport. Mobile fronthaul and mobile backhaul are separated Fronthaul / Backhaul Central Office IP MPLS Network 1 A traditional mobile backhaul network deployed for 3G/4G. Based on IP/MPLS routers and Ethernet switches for last mile access Small cells Cell site cabinet Fronthaul Cell site cabinet Enlighten Central Office Backhaul IP MPLS Network OSS 1 OSS 2 CSR Cell site router WDM, IP/MPLS IP MPLS Core Backhaul CSR Cell site router 9

10 Key requirements on Mobile Fronthaul Low power and foot-print Common Public Radio Interface CPRI and Open Base Station Architecture OBSAI Optical high speed protocols between and CPRI rates Gb/s Gb/s OBSAI rates Gb/s Gb/s Gb/s Gb/s Gb/s Gb/s Gb/s Gb/s Gb/s Gb/s Low latency and sync performance are key in mobile networks CPRI/OBSAI 10

11 Orange labs has certified Transmode s solutions Test demonstrated 2.458G CPRI together with Sync E Fully sync transparent solution, tailored for the stringent latency and sync requirements of CPRI Latency measured to around 25 µs* (two sides) Sync performance well below max value of / requirements Line protection *Later tests with released product indicates 8 µs MXP 10G Multi-Service Muxponder / Mbps CPRI / Mbps CPRI / Mbps CPRI Sync GbE Sync GbE 10G Multi-Service Muxponder ch CWDM MDU MXP +1 11

12 Live test with MegaFon Test interoperability of Transmode CWDM 4 Gb/s SFP with NSN WCDMA Flexi BTS and using OBSAI RP Gb/s interface Results: BTS is fully functioning with Transmode SFP Phone calls performed successfully, including successful phone call with handover to neighbouring 3G base station Data transmission service test also performed successfully using mobile phone registered in a demo sector No alarms observed using NSN GUI interface on WCDMA Flexi BTS equipment OBSAI 3.072Gb/s OBSAI 3.072Gb/s SFP MDU MDU SFP 12

13 Customers require several different solutions Passive Fronthaul WDM solution with colored / interfaces Semi Passive Fronthaul Passive / Semi passive fronthaul Central Office Backhaul WDM solution with colored / interfaces Active units adding monitoring capabilities Active fronthaul Central Office Active Fronthaul Transparent WDM Transponders Framed WDM Muxponders 13

14 THANK YOU!