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Definition
The vision of the OpenRAN architecture is to
design radio access network architecture with the following characteristics: 1.Open,
2.Flexible, 3.Distributed, 4.Scalable. Such
architecture would be open because it defines open, standardized interfaces at
key points that in past architectures were closed and proprietary. It would be
flexible because it admits of several implementations, depending on the wired
network resources available in the deployment situation. It would be distributed
because monolithic network elements in architectures would have been broken down
into their respective functional entities, and the functional entities would have
been grouped into network elements that can be realized as a distributed system.
The architecture would define an interface
with the core network that allows the core network to be designed independently
from the RAN, preserving access network independence in the core. Finally, the
architecture would not require changes in radio link protocols; in particular,
a radio link protocol based on IP would not be necessary. This document presents
the first steps in developing the OpenRAN vision. In its first phase, the subject
of this document, the OpenRAN architecture is purely concerned with distributing
RAN functions to facilitate achieving open interfaces and flexible deployment.
The transport substrate for implementing the architecture is assumed to be IP
but no attempts is made to optimize the use of IP protocols, nor are specific
interfaces designated as open. The architecture
could as well be implemented on top of existing functional architectures that
maintain a strict isolation between the transport layer and radio network layer,
by splitting an existing radio network layer into control and bearer parts. In
addition, interoperation with existing core and RAN networks is supported via
interworking functions. Chapters 7 through 11 in this report are exclusively concerned
with this first phase of the architecture, and it is possible that the architecture
may change as the actual implementation of the OpenRAN is considered and For Further
Study items are resolved. In its second
phase, consideration of protocols for the interfaces leads to considering how
IP can be used more efficiently in the radio access network. In addition, the
architecture currently has a CDMA focus, since CDMA radio access networks tend
to be the most demanding in terms of functionality. In the second phase, how the
architecture applies to radio -link protocols based on other principles will be
considered. Finally, the second phase is expected to resolve all For Further Study
items from phase 1 and to generate a requirements traceability analysis. This
analysis is necessary to validate that the architecture does, in fact, meet the
principles and requirements laid out .ts third phase, the addition of a radio
access network protocol general enough to support multiple radio link types and
an operations and maintenance protocol based on standard IP operations and maintenance
protocols may allow a forward looking, truly global RAN to emerge, customizable
to a particular radio link protocol and able to run multiple radio link types
simultaneously. It is expected that the first phase of this report could serve
as input into the advanced architecture planning activities of 3GPP and 3GPP2.
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