Background

As the industry moves from 4G to the more powerful 5G deployments, the transport infrastructure is one key change in securing the best 5G performance. The other major change in 5G architecture, compared to 4G, is the massive growth in capacity density, lower latency, and support for increased traffic volume, in addition to a need for higher frequency bands for the Radio Access Network (RAN).

These major changes led to a demand for massive network densification, which is driven by capacity demand and the use of higher RAN frequency bands in 5G. This in turn drives the need for higher port density of high capacity interfaces, which can be met by fronthaul transmission.

Layered architecture distributed across the network

Fronthaul architecture configurations are able to balance the reliability, throughput, and latency demands of advanced applications on 5G networks. Fronthaul layered architecture, depending on the type of data handling needed, is distributed across the network between edge data centers and central data centers.

The edge data center localizes all the massive data, and supports the latency requirements, while the central data centers handles functions that require less extensive data such as signal driven functions.

At both the component and network levels of the RAN architecture, through intelligence using of deep learning techniques embedded in every layer, these increasingly complex networks can be automated, which in turn simplify operation and maintenance, thus reducing OPEX.

Open RAN architecture at the Edge

Additional innovative network solutions at the edge are RAN cloudification and Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC). Cloud RAN provides automation, dynamic scalability and assisted with improved radio performance and speed of emerging 5G technology. MEC enables cloud computing capability at the edge, supporting flexible, visible, and rapid deployment of new applications and services.

An open architecture at the edge, through multi-vendor compatibility, enable flexible hardware and software implementations for scalable, cost-effective network deployments.

Lanner’s ECA-4025 Fronthaul Gateway (FHGW) empowers legacy CPRI-based radios to effortlessly interoperable with Ethernet-based Cloud RAN architecture, while continue on with the original CPRI radio interface.

The fronthaul gateways has the ability to manage 4G and 5G radio protocols, handle traffic and connection management, radio synchronization, and parameter configuration.

Bridging legacy 4G/5G radio to cloud-based RAN

A powerful solution to bridge legacy 4G/5G radios to cloud-based RAN, ECA-4025 was designed to fully support edge and far-edge cloud deployments. The solution offers real-time Open Platform (OPNFV)-compatible Open Stack distribution to provide high performance and low latency essentially needed by Cloud RAN and MEC for 5G networks.

Together with the HTCA-6200 MEC server, available in 2U high versions, enable smooth installation on existing base station sites.

Lanner’s fronthaul gateway meets Communications Service Providers (CSPs) cost and efficiency demands and provide fundamental high-performance expectations for 5G network.

Featured Product


ECA-4025

1U 19” Rackmount Open RAN Appliance with Intel Xeon® D-2100 Multi-core Processor (Codenamed Skylake-DE)

CPU Intel® Xeon® D2100 8/12/14/16 Cores
Chipset N/A

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ECA-4027

Short Depth Chassis Edge Computing Appliance with Intel Xeon® D-2100 Multi-core Processor (Codenamed Skylake-DE)

CPU Intel® Xeon® D2100 12/16 Cores
Chipset N/A

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