RAN RSS

In deploying 5G, operators are committing to a significant investment cycle. It therefore follows that they expect a return on that investment within a reasonable timeframe. The question is how! Fundamentally, in terms of both the radio on the overall infrastructure architecture, 5G works in a similar way to 4G. However, the implementation is very different, and this gives 5G several key advantages over 4G in terms of supporting both the existing broadband business model, and industry-specific use cases. The advantages are realised across the entire 5G system, but in particular, the 5G New Radio (NR) air interface is where...

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Where are we now? Initial 5G deployments are referred to as “Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G” and based on Dual Connectivity. This is where the device connects to a 4G “Master” LTE base station first, and then, under the direction of the master, establishes 5G connectivity. These early 5G deployments use spectrum in Frequency Range 1 of 5G. In Europe, this is likely to be in the band 3.4-3.8 GHz (but not exclusively). In terms of coverage, the 5G cells that can be supported at these frequencies within towns and cities, allow 5G “secondary” base stations to be co-located with the 4G...

The C-RAN (Centralised or Cloud Radio Access Network) is a cellular network architecture designed for efficiency and lower costs when deploying public access small cells. The C-RAN architecture separates the BBU (Base Band Unit) from the RRH (Remote Radio Head) using the CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface). The CPRI link between the BBU and the RRH is known as the ‘fronthaul’ whereas the backhaul network connects the BBU with the core network. The BBU is responsible for the signal processing functions and the RRH transmits the signal over the radio interface. Placing BBUs at central locations enables more precise control...

Modern cellular networks support a concept known as the heterogeneous network – the term ‘heterogeneous’ is generically defined as meaning ‘diverse in character or content’ and that is the sense in which it is employed here. A HetNet is one in which many base stations, of varying types and sizes, share the same radio resource environment to provide a multi-layered or hierarchical service consisting of network of macro cells and small cells which can offer ‘multi-mode’ (a mixture of 2G, 3G and/or 4G services) and ‘multi-technology’ (a mix of cellular and Wi-Fi) services. Multi-technology deployments allow Wi-Fi access points to...