RAN Connectivity and Architectural Decomposition

Exploring Radio Access Network connectivity choices, 5G architecture, funtional requirements, distributed/centralized RAN functional split options trade-offs in terms of performance, complexity, flexibility and longevity

Hosted by:

 

 
 




When

October 28-30, 2019

Where

Kimpton Charlotte Square

Edinburgh, Scotland

MORE HOTEL INFO >>

Register

Limited to 100 seats

First Registered, First Served!

Attendance open to all IWPC Members


Introduction

There have never before been so many options for how to build a cellular radio access network; from fully aggregated gNB to CRAN, control and user plane separation to CPRI or eCPRI. Terms such as backhaul, midhaul and fronthaul are used interchangeably and often interpreted to mean different things by different people. Open RAN initiatives suggest additional ways to decompose the radio network, so what does all of this mean for an optimised network architecture. What is the role of edge compute and how do we dimension, operate and maintain these complex and likely dynamic networks going forward?

Workshop Goals

This IWPC workshop aims to explore all of these questions and more as we aim to find industry consensus, develop best practice and build practical roadmaps to an optimized and future-proof radio access network architecture.

Agenda

DAY 1
October 28

Monday

1:00 PM

 

7:00 PM

 

 

Tour of CommScope Point-to-Point Antenna Test Range

 

Evening Reception & Registration

 

 

Kirkaldy, Scotland

 

 

The Cellar - Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel

DAY 2
October 29

Tuesday

7:00 AM

 

 

 

Breakfast

8:00 AM

Welcome and Introductions

 

 

Host Introduction and Keynote

  • Review of BT/EE RAN architecture for 5G commercial launch
  • Exploring RAN functional decomposition within standards
  • Reviewing RAN architecture evolution plans
  • Future RAN architecture optimisation and how this may differ by frequency bands
  • Exploring the activities of industry fora

              

Keynote Presentation

 

Principle Network Architect, Network Strategy

 

Principal Researcher

 

10:00 AM

Networking Break

  

10:40 AM

Service Provider Perspectives

  • Spectrum & Dynamic Spectrum Sharing
  • 5G and LTE co-existence
  • C-RAN learnings
  • 4G/5G architectural trends
  • 5G RAN / transport potential architecture

 

4G to 5G RAN Evolution

 

Senior Network Architect

 

12:00 Noon

Networking Lunch

  

1:00 PM

OEM and System Perspectives

 

  • Assessing current solutions and roadmap to RAN functional decomposition
  • RAN virtualization DU / RU optimal function placement for different use cases and re-usable assets availability (e.g. fiber)

5G RAN Architecture: From Standardisation to Deployment

 

Principal Researcher

 

The Role of the Edge Cloud in Delivering Disaggregated RAN (ORAN, etc.)

 

Chief Architect, Mobile

 

Fronthaul Conversion and Hardware Acceleration Towards DU/CU Virtualisation

 

Packet Solutions Product Line Manager

 

3:00 PM

Networking Break

  

3:40 PM

System Perspective, continued

OEM and System Vendor Perspectives

  • Considering the breakdown of disaggregated RAN functions
  • The role of Edge Cloud in delivering the disaggregated RAN
  • Security functions within the Edge Cloud
  • Delivery of low latency, distributed services with the Edge Cloud
  • Benefits of RAN functional decomposition
  • RAN Architecture for macro and small cells (HetNet)
  • Exploring virtualised RAN concepts combining the ideas of massive MIMO and vRAN with Edge processing
  • Considering new insights into the benefits of BS cooperation and different PHY splits

 

How Open Source Platforms Can Help Implementing vRAN

 

Global Lead - Telco Partner Technology Development

 

Open Fronthaul and Lessons Learnt Implementing ORAN Fronthaul Solutions

 

Director

 

Fog Massive MIMO

Professor

 

5:40 PM

Adjourn

 

7:00 PM

Networking Dinner at Scotch Malt Whisky Society

 

DAY 3

October 30

Wednesday

8:00 AM

 

 

 

Breakfast

  

9:00 AM

RAN Sharing, In-building and Virtualization

How will Virtualisation Overcome RAN Sharing Challenges

 

General Manager - Mobile Solutions

10:00 AM

Transport Networks

  • Mobile Fronthaul, Midhaul and Backhaul requirements on transport solutions (wired and wireless)
  • Dimensioning Fronthaul, Midhaul and Backhaul
  • e-CPRI v CPRI
  • Synchronization over e-CPRI
  • Assuming DU is pulled away from RU for CoMP or space / power reasons - DU / Transport co-location / integration / standardization initiatives
  • Time Sensitive Networking or other methods which may be needed in Fronthaul
  • Service Assurance and Measurement and validation

Transport Architecture for 5G Networks

 

CTO EMEA

 

 

10:30 AM

Networking Break

 

11:00 AM

Transport Networks, continued

  • Key differences between backhaul and fronthaul – what do we expect to be driving the network requirement
  • Split architectures commonly discussed in Network – covering option 2 and 7.2: Latency on air interface; User Latency for 5G Services; Speeds of the X-Haul network
  • Implementation vs standardization
  • Implementation views
  • HW and SW mix
  • Is split 7.2 the final split, or is split 6 a likely scenario?

 

Key Backhaul and Fronthaul Differences, Split Architectures and Implementation

 

Director, Business Development

 

ORAN Connectivity Architectures - functional Splits

 

Master Scientist

 

 

O-RAN WG4 New Fronthaul and WG7 Update

 

Senior Member Technical Staff

 

12:30 PM

Networking Lunch

  

1:30 PM

Technology Enablers

  • 5G NR Deployment Progress Overview
  • 5G Core Network Motivation and Enablers
  • NSA and SA Operation Modes Comparison - A UE perspective
  • Current NSA deployment challenges - Field results and Case Studies
  • 5G System Evolution
  • RU - DU - CU scaling/ratio planning
  • eCPRI / NGFI Protocol and aggregation of Radio/PTP/OAM traffic into a common medium
  • Achieving capacity improvements for sub-6GHz wireless access
  • Evaluating the practicalities for real-world deployments and identifying solutions is the next critical step in the rollout of this technology
  • New approaches to open and flexible RAN - How does this differ between indoors and outdoors?
  • ORAN ecosystem development
  • Dedicated hardware versus General Purpose Processing (GPP) for Distributed Unit Functionality (DU)
  • NFV Hosting requirements for Centralized Units (CU)
  • RAN Security Requirements in a disaggregated and/or multi-vendor environment
  • Pros and Cons of CRAN
 5G Deployment Analysis: Implementation & Performance Aspects

Technology Strategy Senior Manager, Europe

 

Microwave and Millimetre Wave Radios for RAN Connectivity

 

Product Line Director

 

 

Performance Optimization of sub-6GHz Massive MIMO

 

Professor

 

3:00 PM

Networking Break

  

3:30 PM

Implications of RAN functional decomposition on network services, edge computing and Total Cost of Ownership

  • Technology Enablers, Test and Validation
  • Considering fixed fibre based RAN. 3G and some 4G S supporting massive amounts of data over Advanced 4G (LTE-A) and 5G
  • Understanding deployment challenges of fibre cables and ODN equipment in urban areas
  • Global case studies
  • Powering Active Antennal Units (AAU) over connectivity cables
  • Hybrid cable connectivity solutions

Connectivity Challenges for RAN xHaul Deployment for In-Building and Urban Scenarios

 

Technology Director

4:00 PM

Closing Panel

    

4:45 PM

Adjourn

6:15 PM

 Maxwell Institute Tour & Antenna Reception

Offsite

FAQs

  1. What is the deadline for presentation/handout materials?
  2. Who are the attendees?
  3. What are the costs/registrations fees?
  4. Hotel information?
  5. What are the travel options from the airport to the hotel?
  6. Are there any audiovisual requirements?
  7. Will business cards be collected?
  8. What is the dress code?
  9. How will handout materials be provided?
  1. What is the deadline for presentation/handout materials?

    Deadline for electronic version of presentation/handout materials: Monday, October 21, 2019

  2. Who are the attendees?
    • We do not permit the Press.
    • We do not permit Analysts.
    • We do not permit Consultants.
    • We do not permit 3rd party sales reps.
    • We only permit "first hand knowledge experts" in business and technology issues, prepared to contribute to the discussion.
  3. What are the costs/registrations fees?

    ALL Hosts, Speakers, Panel Members and Attendees will be asked to cover out-of-pocket workshop costs such as conference room costs, food (Social Reception plus First Day breakfast/lunch/dinner plus Second Day breakfast/lunch plus Breaks), audio/visual costs, etc.

    These costs will be $960 (USD) per person. (For IWPC Members only.)

    ALL Hosts, Speakers, Panel Members and Attendees will be asked to pay this fee in advance with either Visa, MasterCard, American Express, cash, personal check or business check. Make checks payable to IWPC.

  4. Hotel information?

    Kimpton Charlotte Square
    38 Charlotte Square Street
    Edinburgh,EH2 4HQ UK
    Phone: +44 (0)13 1240 5500
    Hotel Website

    The IWPC room block rate is £145.00/night. The deadline for hotel reservations is Monday, September 30, 2019. After that date, rooms cannot be guaranteed at the IWPC rate. You can make your reservations at Hotel Reservations.

  5. What are the travel options from the airport to the hotel?

    https://www.kimptoncharlottesquare.com/us/en/edinburgh/maps-and-directions/

  6. Are there any audiovisual requirements?

    A Computer Projector will be available for the speakers.

    In addition, we audiotape all presentations and the interactive discussions. Post workshop, presentations are made available to IWPC Members on the IWPC WEB site, along with “recordings” of all presentations and panel sessions.

  7. Will business cards be collected?

    Business cards will be collected at the door from all attendees. We will make copies of these cards, which will be available to all who provided a business card.

  8. What is the dress code?

    Business casual suggested. No ties, please!

  9. How will handout materials be provided?

    For ALL IWPC members:

    All IWPC members are invited to submit materials to be included in the online workshop folder in the IWPC Research Library. This should NOT BE SALES MATERIALS. Rather, we suggest it contain technical information about your technology as it relates to the workshop topics.

    For all companies who will be making a presentation at the Workshop:

    You are invited to submit an advance copy of your presentation, complete with graphics and illustrations.

    These materials will be included on the IWPC website Research Library.

    Please submit these materials either by email, as a Word for Windows file, Power Point files or PDF files.

    SUBMISSION OF PRESENTATION:

    • Go to www.iwpc.org
    • Click on IWPC Activities Tab
    • Under Workshop: RAN Connectivity and Architectural Decomposition
    • Click on Submit Presentation Proposal. Complete the form and attach your presentation.
    • Once we receive your presentation we will send an email confirmation.

    AS BACKUP, PLEASE BRING AN ELECTRONIC COPY USB STICK WITH YOU!