Cloud-driven architectures for next generation small cell networks

Abstract

The ability to aggressively reuse spectral resources has made small cells a key component in catering to the growing traffic demand in cellular networks. While efficient resource management solutions are needed to address the challenging interference problem in small cell networks, the deployment and management of small cells themselves incurs capital and operational expenses for operators. Cloud-driven radio access networks (C-RAN) have been proposed as a cost-effective means for the realization of small cells. Unlike typical RANs where the baseband units (BBUs) and the radio units are situated together, the C-RAN concept migrates the BBUs to a datacenter (i.e., the cloud), while providing a transport network (called the "front-haul") to the remote antennas called remote radio heads (RRHs).