Protecting current investment as
the network evolves

The key for wireless operators and venue owners to migrate from current RAN architecture to future networks seamlessly while protecting their current investment is to invest in an all-digital and software reconfigurable platform that is technology agnostic and frequency agile. This will enable wireless operators and venue owners to maximize the usage of their existing capital investment while future-proofing the network as it evolves.

As the network evolves from standalone base station to base station pool and web-scale data centers, the requirements for the RF distribution network will also evolve. From the current commonly used RF interface to CPRI, ORI, Next Generation Fronthaul Interface (NGFI) or other digital data stream to accommodate higher data rates, denser modulation technologies and increased speeds on the optical backhaul network; from the commonly deployed coaxial cable RF distribution systems to fiber based distribution systems to accommodate the increase in data; and from remote radio units to modular, software-configurable frequency agile remote radio units to accommodate the increased densification, multiple MIMO streams and smaller footprints that will be part of the emerging 5G network (Figure 4).

 Figure 4. The Evolution of RAN Architecture and the associated requirements and benefits

The wireless industry has made significant progression from the traditional analog RF world to the digital world for the last couple years, but the push for RAN Virtualization is going to accelerate this migration even faster. 

RAN Virtualization can benefit wireless operators by enabling more efficient utilization of spectrum resources with simplified network management.  As the wireless ecosystem moves towards a global software-defined networking (SDN), the entire network will be virtualized eliminating much of the hardware.  An all-digital and software-re-configurable platform will enable operators to seamlessly migrate to a software-defined virtualized network while maximizing their current capital investments.

Adopting these trends will allow for more efficient use of spectrum allowing wireless operators stay competitive and profitable in this rapidly evolving wireless market where spectrum is such a valuable and limited resource.

Just as the communications industry went from wired to wireless, and from flip phones to smart phones, the wireless industry will make significant strides as the industry migrates from Distributed RAN to Centralized RAN and ultimately to RAN Virtualization.