A conversation with Dr Femi Adeyemi, Distinguished Solutions Architect, Fujitsu Network Communications about C-RAN
The below is only a summary. Download a transcript of the complete interview and the complete in depth report “C-RAN and 5G take transport to new capacity and latency levels. Trends in backhaul, fronthaul, xhaul and mmW”.
The growing presence of C-RAN topologies is expanding the role of fronthaul in transport. In this conversation with Femi Adeyemi, Distinguished Solutions Architect at Fujitsu, we talked about the evolution in transport, driven by C-RAN and 5G.
5G will be a game changer. Femi said: “5G presents a different set of challenges due to high peak rates, high reliability, high capacity, and low latency use cases. We’re talking about 64×64 or even 256×256 MIMO with channels wider than 100 MHz. The data rates we’ll be looking at are very high. That presents a different challenge. The traditional CPRI will not be sufficient.”
“That requires a new way of thinking, a new method of doing fronthaul. We are exploring different splits in the stack, between RRH and BBU, to lower the data rate. We are looking at different technologies, whether that’s completely RF or even digitizing the radio signals,” Femi continued.
Using the appropriate stack splits make wireless fronthaul possible where fiber is not available or too expensive. “Even when fiber leases are available, your return on investment with a wireless fronthaul link is very attractive. You install a wireless link today. It is there for the next 10 years for you to use. You don’t need to lease it,” Femi said.
We will discuss this topic further in an exclusive webinar in December 13. Register for the webinar.
