This document discusses SD-RAN and its role in enabling 5G networks. It begins with an overview of 5G technologies and use cases. It then discusses SD-RAN, including how it separates the control and user planes in the radio access network (RAN) and introduces programmability. SD-RAN allows for disaggregation of RAN functions and network slicing. The document describes how SD-RAN is being implemented in the M-CORD platform to create a programmable, virtualized RAN integrated with a distributed access cloud. It calls for further participation to advance M-CORD as an open reference platform for 5G.

1. 1
SD-RAN
ONS 2017
PMTS
AT&T
M-CORD Chief Architect
ON.Lab
CTO
Argela-USA
M. Oğuz Sunay Tom Tofigh

2. Outline
SD-RAN
2
• 5G - Tom Tofigh
• What is it?
• Use Cases
• SD-RAN - Oğuz Sunay
• SD in RAN: Two planes of networking
• Disaggregation in the RAN
• Programmability of the RAN
• Slicing of the RAN
• SD-RAN in M-CORD - Tom Tofigh

3. 3
5G
Cellular Evolution
Keynote Template
Tom Tofigh - AT&T

4. 5G
What is it?
4
1. Inclusion of vertical sectors that haven’t been included in 4G
2. Offering new use experience ( AR/VR , battery life , M2M, 4K video )
3. Provides for new types of connectivity services
4. Provides for autonomous operational Flexibility (performance, latency
scale, security, reliability, and programmability)
5. Performs frequent “load balance control” across hyper densified set of
macro, small and micro cells so far.

5. Cellular Evolution
Towards 5G
5

6. Technology Drivers
For 5G
6
Massive MIMO mmWave Multi RAT Wireless Networks
Dramatically increased
number of antenna
elements on
base stations enabling
beamforming
Utilize potential of
extremely wide bandwidths
at frequency ranges once
thought impractical for
commercial wireless
Improve bandwidth
utilization through evolving
PHY and flexible
numerology
Consistent connectivity
meeting the 1000x traffic
demand for 5G
• Densification
• SDN
• NFV
• C-RAN

7. 5G Enablers
Technology Pillarss
7
NEW AIR INTERFACE(S)
NETWORK FUNCTIONS VIRTUALIZATION
NETWORK SLICING
MORE SPECTRUM
SOFTWARE-DEFINED NETWORKS
CLOUD TECHNOLOGIES
MOBILE EDGE COMPUTING
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8
FUNCTIONAL DISAGGREGATION k

8. 5G Spectra
Driving the 5G Use Cases
8
• FCC Allocated 4 Bands for 5G: 28 GHz, 39 GHz, 37 GHz, 65 GHz
• Mobile rights to existing LMDS and 39 MHz licensees
• Spectrum aggregation limit of 1.25 GHz
• Federal, FS, FSS Spectrum Sharing
• Rules went into effect December 14, 2016 –Paving way for 5G commercial service

9. 5G Radio Access
RAN Evolution Towards NR
9
• Evolution of existing technology + NR
• Rapid switching based on radio condition
• Gradual migration of NR into existing spectrum
• Flexible connections for multiple services

10. 5G Use Cases
New Vertical Sectors to be Supported
10
Enhanced Mobile Broadband
Massive Machine Type
Communications
Ultra-reliable, Low-Latency
Communications
Source: Recommendation ITU-R M.2083 “IMT Vision - Framework and overall
objectives of the future development of IMT for 2020 and beyond”

11. 11
SD-RAN
Basic Definition
Keynote Template
Oğuz Sunay – ON.Lab / Argela-USA

12. M-CORD
Mobile CORD Platform Pillars
12
SDN NFV
CLOUD
CORD
• M-CORD:
• Disaggregated, virtualized EPC running on
(distributed) access cloud over programmable
VN/fabric
• Programmable RAN configured by ONOS
GOAL: Programmable/configurable RAN with
disaggregated functions selectively running
on distributed access cloud

13. 13
Programmable RAN
Keynote Template

14. Two Planes of Networking
Formal Definition
14
Control PlaneData Plane
Computer Networks Definition
Forwarding packets based on local
forwarding state
Computing that forwarding plane taking
into account the rest of the system
Control PlaneUser Plane
Wireless Networks Definition
Flows that bear the “content”
information regarding a mobile user
application
Flows that bear the “signaling”
information to ensure mobility, session,
authentication and subscription
management,

15. Two Planes of Networking in the RAN
Formal Definition
15
Control PlaneData Plane
Computer Networks Definition
Forwarding packets - for both 3GPP
User Plane and 3GPP Control Plane -
based on local forwarding state
Computing that forwarding plane using D/L &
U/L Scheduling, Handoff, Admission Control,
Link Aggregation Policy, SON Policy
Control PlaneUser Plane
3GPP Definition
UE: PDCP-u, RLC-u, MAC-u, PHY-u
eNB: PDCP-u, RLC-u, MAC-u, PHY-u
UE: NAS, RRC, PDCP-c, RLC-c, MAC-c, PHY-c
eNB: RRC, PDCP-c, RLC-c, MAC-c, PHY-c

16. RRC PDUs
PDCP Control
RLC Control
MAC Control
PHY Configuration
and
Measurement
RRC
PDCP
RLC
MAC
PHY
16
Link Aggregation
Downlink Scheduling Uplink Scheduling
Handoff Management Admission Control
ONOS SD-RAN Controller
Two Planes of Networking in the RAN
SDN Control Plane

17. PDCP
RLC
MAC
PHY
17
ONOS xRAN Controller
xRAN
Open APIs for SD-RAN
RRC
LocalControl(Lower)LocalControl(Higher) RAN Control Function RAN Control Function RAN Control Function

18. SD-RAN
What is it?
18
SDN Control
Plane
3GPP Control
Plane

19. SD-RAN
What is it?
19
RAN Control
Plane

20. SD-RAN
What is it?
20
Programmable / Configurable
RAN Control
Plane

21. 21
RAN Slicing
Creating Dynamically Programmable Virtual Networks

22. 22
RAN Slicing
Creating Dynamically Programmable Virtual Networks

23. 23
Disaggregation in RAN
Horizontal and Vertical
Keynote Template

24. 24
RAN Disaggregation
C-RAN/vRAN: Horizontal Disaggregation
Low
RRC
PDCP
High RLC
Low RLC
High MAC
Low MAC
High PHY
Low PHY
Radio
High
Complexity &
Performance
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Option 5
Option 6
Option 7
Option 8
CU
DU

25. 25
Further Disaggregation
CUPS + Functional Disaggregation
RRC
PDCP
High RLC
Low RLC
High MAC
Low MAC
High PHY
Low PHY
Radio
User Plane
Power Control
SDR Control
Antenna Configuration
Admission Control
Measurement Reporting
AMC Control
Bearer Control
Scheduling Control
System Broadcast
SON Control
DC Control
CA/LA Control
Handover Control
Paging Control
MLB Control
ICIC Control CN Control Interface
CN User Interface
RAN Slicing Control
Control Plane
Frame Control

26. 26
Support for RAN Slicing
CUPS + Functional Disaggregation
RRC
PDCP
High RLC
Low RLC
High MAC
Low MAC
High PHY
Low PHY
Radio
User Plane
Power Control
SDR Control
Antenna Configuration
Admission Control
Measurement Reporting
AMC Control
Bearer Control
Scheduling Control
System Broadcast
SON Control
DC Control
CA/LA Control
Handover Control
Paging Control
MLB Control
ICIC Control CN Control Interface
CN User Interface
RAN Slicing Control
Control Plane
Frame Control
Slow Scheduling Control
Fast Scheduling Control
RB Mapping Control

27. 27
Management & Analytics
Programmability / Configuration in the RAN
RRC
PDCP
High RLC
Low RLC
High MAC
Low MAC
High PHY
Low PHY
Radio
Power Control
SDR Control
Antenna Configuration
Admission Control
Measurement Reporting
AMC Control
Bearer Control
Scheduling Control
System Broadcast
SON Control
DC Control
CA/LA Control
Handover Control
Paging Control
MLB Control
ICIC Control CN Control Interface
CN User Interface
RAN Slicing Control
Management&Analytics
User Plane Control Plane
Frame Control

28. 28
RAN Orchestration
Tying with Overall Network Orchestration
Frame Control
RRC
PDCP
High RLC
Low RLC
High MAC
Low MAC
High PHY
Low PHY
Radio
Power Control
SDR Control
Antenna Configuration
Admission Control
Measurement Reporting
AMC Control
Bearer Control
Scheduling Control
System Broadcast
SON Control
DC Control
CA/LA Control
Handover Control
Paging Control
MLB Control
ICIC Control CN Control Interface
CN User Interface
RAN Slicing Control
Management&Analytics
RAN Control & Orchestration

29. 29
RAN in Distributed Access Cloud
Access Cloud & MEC
Keynote Template

30. 30
Distributed Compute Fabric
Towards 5G
Mobile
Core

31. 31
SD-RAN in M-CORD
Towards 5G Enablment
Keynote Template
Tom Tofigh - AT&T

32. 32
Distributed Compute Fabric
Towards 5G

33. 33
Distributed Compute Fabric
Towards 5G
CU Application
Mobility
Manage Authentication
Session
Manage
User
Plane
Slice 1
Slice n
Slice 1
Radio Resource
Control
X-haul Route Control
Slicing Manager
Control
ONOS Applications …
CBRS Proxy
XOS Service
RU CORE Slicing Edge AnalyticsRAN SlicingCU
Configuration Management Slicing Management Service
RU
UE NG-(R)AN NG-UP
AF
AMF SMF
PCF UDM
DNNG6
NG1
NG-CP NRFNEF
NG3
NG2 NG4
AUSF
NGausf NGamf NGsmf
NGpcfNGnrfNGnef NGudm NGaf
Policy
Control
Master Orchestrator (ONAP)
Unified & Open Mobility Interface (CORE)
Unified & Open Mobility Interface (RAN)
CORE …..
ONOS + XOS + OpenStack/Docker
M-CORD
Platform

34. 34
ONAP in M-CORD
End-to-end Orchestration

35. 35
Where We Need To Go
Towards 5G Enablement

36. 36
M-CORD: Open Reference Platform for 5G
The Vision

37. 37
M-CORD: The State of the Union
What We Have Accomplished So Far

38. 38
M-CORD: Open Call To Participate
Innovate With Us