Fluid net a flexible cloud based radio access network for small cells
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FLUIDNET: A FLEXIBLE CLOUD-BASED RADIO ACCESS NETWORK FOR
SMALL CELLS
ABSTRACT:
Cloud-based radio access networks (C-RAN) have been proposed as a cost-efficient
way of deploying small cells. Unlike conventional RANs, a C-RAN decouples the baseband
processing unit (BBU) from the remote radio head (RRH), allowing for centralized operation
of BBUs and scalable deployment of light-weight RRHs as small cells. In this work, we
argue that the intelligent configuration of the front-haul network between the BBUs and
RRHs, is essential in delivering the performance and energy benefits to the RAN and the
BBU pool, respectively. We propose FluidNet-a scalable, light-weight framework for
realizing the full potential of C-RAN. FluidNet deploys a logically re-configurable front-haul
to apply appropriate transmission strategies in different parts of the network and hence cater
effectively to both heterogeneous user profiles and dynamic traffic load patterns. FluidNet's
algorithms determine configurations that maximize the traffic demand satisfied on the RAN,
while simultaneously optimizing the compute resource usage in the BBU pool. We prototype
FluidNet on a 6 BBU, 6 RRH WiMAX C-RAN testbed. Prototype evaluations and large-scale
simulations reveal that FluidNet's ability to re-configure its front-haul and tailor transmission
strategies provides a 50% improvement in satisfying traffic demands, while reducing the
compute resource usage in the BBU pool by 50% compared to baseline schemes.