Overcoming C-RAN growing pains

Migrating from distributed RAN (D-RAN) technology to centralized radio access networks (C-RAN) is the next innovation in mobile fronthaul architecture – a trend that is already taking off in many parts of the world. With the ability to centralize base stations (BBUs) in a BBU hotel and position them up to 20 km away from remote radio heads (RRH), a C-RAN architecture can save both space and energy, and provide better synchronization. However, as with any technology upgrade, growing pains are complicating the way forward.

Specific C-RAN pains involve optical attenuation considerations (e.g.: loss-budget determination and selection of appropriate SFPs), as well as interconnection issues and wavelength-addressing concerns (e.g. mapping the correct wavelength to the correct tower). But with proper testing, fiber inspection and connector cleaning during construction and turn-up, those considerations can be properly handled and potential problems mitigated.

To understand the details behind what’s fueling these C-RAN challenges and how EXFO can help fix those pains and deliver the gains of C-RAN architectures, download our white paper: Why C-RAN deployments will give you more headaches than D-RAN rollouts—and how to avoid them.