CPRI Framelets for Small RRH Backhaul via Broadband Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current backhaul solutions for small remote radio-heads (RRHs) are inefficient and costly due to the use of point-to-point fiber links, which waste capacity when only a small number of antenna containers (AxCs) are involved, and existing broadband access systems lack the bandwidth to support full CPRI connections.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of CPRI framelets, which utilize existing broadband access systems like DSL, HFC, and PON to transport a reduced CPRI hyper frame suitable for a small number of AxCs, leveraging framelet blocks to convert CPRI data into Ethernet frames and aggregate them over short, low-speed links, thereby reducing the need for expensive point-to-point fiber links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If point-to-point fiber links are used for small RRHs, then reliability and synchronization are improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CPRI hyper-frame into smaller CPRI framelets that can be transported over existing broadband access networks. This segmentation allows small RRHs with limited AxCs to use shared access infrastructure instead of dedicated point-to-point fiber links, reducing complexity while maintaining synchronization through framelet-based time-division multiplexing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces framelet blocks as intermediary devices that convert CPRI data into Ethernet frames for transport over existing broadband access networks. These intermediaries enable small RRHs to leverage existing infrastructure (DSL, HFC, PON) rather than requiring dedicated fiber infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity and cost
2Reliability
If point-to-point fiber links are deployed for small RRHs, then connection reliability is improved, but cost increases due to waste of link capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transporting only the necessary CPRI framelets corresponding to active AxCs over shared access networks, rather than provisioning full-capacity point-to-point fiber links. This allows small RRHs with few AxCs to use a fraction of the available capacity efficiently, eliminating waste while maintaining connection reliability through framelet-based multiplexing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables broadband access networks to serve multiple functions: they can carry CPRI framelets for small RRHs, aggregate traffic from multiple RRHs, and utilize existing infrastructure (DSL, HFC, PON) that was previously underutilized. This multi-functionality improves capacity utilization by making the access network infrastructure serve dual purposes
3Device complexity
If existing broadband access systems are used for CPRI transport, then cost and device complexity are reduced, but bandwidth capacity is insufficient for full CPRI connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CPRI data stream into framelets that can be multiplexed over existing broadband access networks. This segmentation allows the system to utilize the available bandwidth capacity of access networks (DSL, HFC, PON) efficiently by time-division multiplexing multiple small RRHs over the same physical infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple CPRI framelet streams from different small RRHs into a single aggregated flow over the broadband access network. This combining approach allows the system to achieve the necessary total bandwidth capacity by aggregating traffic from multiple RRHs, while maintaining low complexity through the framelet-based multiplexing mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing a reduced common public radio interface (CPRI) framelet link includes one or more cellular towers, each cellular tower including one or more cellular antennas and coupled to a first short CPRI fiber link. An access subsystem is coupled to a baseband pool. The access subsystem is coupled to the first short CPRI fiber link via a first framelet block, and the first framelet block facilitates interfacing the first short CPRI fiber link to the access subsystem.