Introduction to CRAN
C-RAN, also known as Centralized RAN (C-RAN), is an architecture for cellular networks where base stations are connected to a remote controller called the baseband unit (BBU) through leased lines. The Cloud RAN architecture comes in two flavors: centralized and distributed. Centralized RAN (C-RAN) is sometimes known as a “carrier grade” solution because of its scalability and flexibility. Distributed RAN (D-RAN) is attractive because it reduces capital expenditure by eliminating expensive hardware at the cell site and allows for much greater flexibility in design. Centralized RAN (C-RAN) is a configuration of a cellular network where most of its elements are centralized in one point, usually at the core network. This architecture allows for better management and scaling of the radio access network (RAN) as well as provides more potential bandwidth and more efficiency in using it. C-RAN is a term used to describe a centralized wireless network architecture that was developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) as an evolution of the existing RAN infrastructure.
Centralized RAN architecture distributes the Remote Radio Units(RRUs) across a few location, which are usually collocated at the Node B locations. The Centralized RAN approach has many benefits. It can reduce the deployment cost and power consumption since only a few RRUs are present in these locations (rather than each location). This approach also allows for greater aggregation of intelligence capabilities such as radio resource management, handoff control and mobility management at the central Site having close proximity to the core network. C-RAN is a cloud-based architecture for Cellular networks. It was designed to adapt to changes in cell coverage without affecting the delivery of services. C-RAN (Centralized RAN) is a multi-tier architecture for LTE or 5G networks that combines the functions of base stations, controllers and operation and maintenance (O&M) servers in an optimised way. Centralized RAN, or C-RAN, is a term that refers to the architecture used in cellular networks. It involves deploying base station hardware in a centralized location such as a data center, and connecting that hardware with radio access points wired to cell towers. C-RAN is a wireless architecture that brings together the centralized functions of baseband and radio on centralized servers.
It eliminates high cost network equipment and the need for towers but still requires licensed spectrum. Cloud-based RAN (C-RAN) is the next generation of wireless network architecture where a centralized baseband subsystem serves as an “invisible hand” to dynamically control the distributed remote radio units (RRUs) over a shared IP fabric. A C-RAN architecture is composed of three layers: radio access, core and transport plane. C-RAN is Cloud RAN which is sometimes referred to as Centralized RAN which is an architecture for Cellular networks consisting of base stations that are remotely controlled in the cloud and therefore can be deployed anywhere. This allows wireless carriers to quickly build out additional towers and expand their coverage area, reducing initial investment costs significantly. C-RAN is Cloud RAN which is sometimes referred to as Centralized RAN which is an architecture for Cellular networks. It has a remote cloud management plane with no radio network controller (RNC) local nodes, the remote radio heads (RRHs) connect via optical fibre cables to a baseband unit at the central site for processing, storage and forwarding (PSF) functions. The BTSs are themselves sometimes also referred to as remote radio units (RRUs).
