Cloud Radio Access Networks

The first book on Cloud Radio Access Networks (C-RANs), covering fundamental theory, current techniques, and potential applications.

C-RAN and virtualized Small Cell technology poses several major research challenges. These include dynamic resource allocation, self-configuration in the baseband pool, high latency in data transfer between radio unit and baseband unit, the cost of data delivery, high volume of data in the network, software networking aspects, potential energy savings, security concerns, privacy of user’s personal data at a remote place, limitations of virtualized environment, etc. This book provides deeper insights into the next generation RAN architecture and surveys the coexistence of SDN, C-RAN and Small Cells solutions proposed in the literature at different levels.

This comprehensive resource explores state-of-the-art advances in the successful deployment and operation of small cell networks. A broad range of technical challenges, and possible solutions, are addressed, including practical deployment considerations and interference management techniques, all set within the context of the most recent cutting-edge advances. Key aspects covered include 3GPP standardisation, applications of stochastic geometry, PHY techniques, MIMO techniques, handover and radio resource management, including techniques designed to make the best possible use of the available spectrum. Detailed technical information is provided throughout, with a consistent emphasis on real-world applications. Bringing together world-renowned experts from industry and academia, this is an indispensable volume for researchers, engineers and systems designers in the wireless communication industry.

The mobile market has experienced unprecedented growth over the last few decades. Consumer trends have shifted towards mobile internet services supported by 3G and 4G networks worldwide. Inherent to existing networks are problems such as lack of spectrum, high energy consumption, and inter-cell interference. These limitations have led to the emergence of 5G technology. It is clear that any 5G system will integrate optical communications, which is already a mainstay of wide area networks. Using an optical core to route 5G data raises significant questions of how wireless and optical can coexist in synergy to provide smooth, end-to-end communication pathways. Optical and Wireless Convergence for 5G Networks explores new emerging technologies, concepts, and approaches for seamlessly integrating optical-wireless for 5G and beyond. Considering both fronthaul and backhaul perspectives, this timely book provides insights on managing an ecosystem of mixed and multiple access network communications focused on optical-wireless convergence. Topics include Fiber–Wireless (FiWi), Hybrid Fiber-Wireless (HFW), Visible Light Communication (VLC), 5G optical sensing technologies, approaches to real-time IoT applications, Tactile Internet, Fog Computing (FC), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), Software-Defined Networking (SDN), and many others. This book aims to provide an inclusive survey of 5G optical-wireless requirements, architecture developments, and technological solutions.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction of Fog Radio Access Networks (F-RANs), from both academic and industry perspectives. The authors first introduce the network architecture and the frameworks of network management and resource allocation for F-RANs. They then discuss the recent academic research achievements of F-RANs, such as the analytical results of theoretical performance limits and optimization theory-based resource allocation techniques. Meanwhile, they discuss the application and implementations of F-RANs, including the latest standardization procedure, and the prototype and test bed design. The book is concluded by summarizing the existing open issues and future trends of F-RANs. Includes the latest theoretical and technological research achievements of F-RANs, also discussing existing open issues and future trends of F-RANs toward 6G from an interdisciplinary perspective; Provides commonly-used tools for research and development of F-RANs such as open resource projects for implementing prototypes and test beds; Includes examples of prototype and test bed design and gives tools to evaluate the performance of F-RANs in simulations and experimental circumstances.

This Springerbreif introduces a threshold-based channel sparsification approach, and then, the sparsity is exploited for scalable channel training. Last but not least, this brief introduces two scalable cooperative signal detection algorithms in C-RANs. The authors wish to spur new research activities in the following important question: how to leverage the revolutionary architecture of C-RAN to attain unprecedented system capacity at an affordable cost and complexity. Cloud radio access network (C-RAN) is a novel mobile network architecture that has a lot of significance in future wireless networks like 5G. the high density of remote radio heads in C-RANs leads to severe scalability issues in terms of computational and implementation complexities. This Springerbrief undertakes a comprehensive study on scalable signal processing for C-RANs, where ‘scalable’ means that the computational and implementation complexities do not grow rapidly with the network size. This Springerbrief will be target researchers and professionals working in the Cloud Radio Access Network (C-Ran) field, as well as advanced-level students studying electrical engineering.

This book explores the challenges and opportunities in exploiting cloud technologies for 5G, ranging from radio access network (RAN) to the evolved packet core (EPC). With a specific focus on cloud RAN and EPC, the text carefully explains the influence of recent network technologies such as software defined networking (SDN), visualization, and cloud technologies in the evolution of architecture for future mobile networks. The book discusses the causes, benefits and challenges of cloud RAN and its interplay with other evolving technologies for future mobile networks. Researchers and professionals involved in mobile technology or cloud computing will find this book a valuable resource. The text is also suitable for advanced-level students studying all types of networking.

Discover how the NG-RAN architecture is, and isn't, ready for the challenges introduced by 5G 5G Radio Access Network Architecture: The Dark Side of 5G explores foundational and advanced topics in Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture and why a re-thinking of that architecture is necessary to support new 5G requirements. The distinguished engineer and editor Sasha Sirotkin has included numerous works written by industry insiders with state of the art research at their disposal. The book explains the relevant standards and technologies from an academic perspective, but also explains why particular standards decisions were made and how a variety of NG-RAN architecture options could be deployed in real-life networks. All major standards and technologies associated with the NG-RAN architecture are discussed in this book, including 3GPP, O-RAN, Small Cell Forum, IEEE, and IETF. Readers will learn about how a re-design of the RAN architecture would ensure that 5G networks can deliver their promised throughput and low latency KPIs consistently and sustainably. The book is structured as follows: An overview of the market drivers of the NG-RAN architecture, like spectrum models, 5G-relevant regulatory considerations, and 5G radio interface technical requirements An overview of the 5G System, from the core network, to the RAN, to the radio interface protocols and physical layer, with emphasis on how these are different compared to 4G Release-15 RAN architectures defined in 3GPP, O-RAN, and Small Cell Forum RAN architecture evolution in Release-16 and Release-17 Enabling technologies, like virtualization, open source technologies, multi-access edge (MEC) computing, and operations, administration, and management (OAM) NG-RAN deployment considerations, objectives, and challenges, like costs, spectrum and radio propagation considerations, and coverage Perfect for network designers and operators who require a solid understanding of the NG-RAN architecture, 5G Radio Access Network Architecture also belongs on the bookshelves of network engineers who aim to increase their understanding of the standards and technologies relevant to the NG-RAN architecture.

A comprehensive text to an understanding the next generation mobile broadband and wireless Internet of Things (IoT) technologies 5G Verticals brings together in one comprehensive volume a group of visionaries and technical experts from academia and industry. The expert authors discuss the applications and technologies that comprise 5G verticals. The earlier network generations (2G to 4G) were designed as on-size-fits-all, general-purpose connectivity platforms with limited differentiation capabilities. 5G networks have the capability to demand customizable mobile networks and create an ecosystem for technical and business innovation involving vertical markets such as automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, food and agriculture, city management, government, public transportation, media and more. 5G will serve a large portfolio of applications with various requirements ranging from high reliability to ultra-low latency going through high bandwidth and mobility. In this book, the authors explore applications and usages of various 5G verticals including a set of key metrics for these uses and their corresponding target requirements. The book also examines the potential network architectures and enabling technologies to meet the requirements of 5G verticals. This important book: Offers a comprehensive resource to the promise of 5G Verticals Provides a set of key metrics for the uses and target requirements Contains illustrative examples of the technology and applications Includes contributions from experts in the field and professionals that developed the 5G standards Provides an analysis of specific vertical industries which have the potential to be among the first industries to use 5G Written for industry practitioners, engineers and researchers, 5G Verticals discusses the technology that enables the 5G system to be flexibly deployed and scaled.

Mobile wireless communication systems have affected every aspect of life. By providing seamless connectivity, these systems enable almost all the smart devices in the world to communicate with high speed throughput and extremely low latency. The next generation of cellular mobile communications, 5G, aims to support the tremendous growth of interconnected things/devices (i.e., internet of things [IoT]) using the current technologies and extending them to be used in higher frequencies to cope with the huge number of different devices. In addition, 5G will provide massive capacity, high throughput, lower end-to-end delay, green communication, cost reduction, and extended coverage area. Fundamental and Supportive Technologies for 5G Mobile Networks provides detailed research on technologies used in 5G, their benefits, practical designs, and recent challenges and focuses on future applications that could exploit 5G network benefits. The content within this publication examines cellular communication, data transmission, and high-speed communication. It is designed for network analysts, IT specialists, industry professionals, software engineers, researchers, academicians, students, and scientists.