An Architecture for Radio-independent Wireless Access Networks

This paper discusses a novel architecture for a Hybrid Fiber Radio (HFR) access network using Software Defined Radio (SDR) in a combined Base Station (BS) headend unit. While most of the current SDR approaches consider software radio to be used in the portable terminals to allow multi-mode operation, we propose a SDR-HFR based access network architecture. The combination of HFR and SDR allows smooth migration from current to future radio standards and realization of multi-standard networks by using the existing fiber infrastructure. In the first part of the paper trends in HFR and SDR as the two enabling technologies for radio-independence are theoretically investigated. The key components of a new multistandard wireless access network are identified and some practical realization concepts are introduced. The focus of this paper is put on the availability and usability of SDR-HFR concepts from the network operator and the equipment manufacturer viewpoint.