Optical Techniques for Fronthaul Networks

This paper introduces various techniques for a new fronthaul network segment applied in centralized radio access networks (C-RAN) architecture. The promising fronthaul interfaces are described which are considered to meet physical requirements for the fronthaul network segment and to build a new radio access network solution. Various optical solutions including CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface) over optical transport networks (OTN), CPRI over WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) rings /WDM-PON (passive optical networks), radio over Ethernet (RoE) and radio over fiber (RoF) are analysed and regarding parameters are presented.