Service based virtual RAN architecture for next generation cellular systems

Abstract

Service based architecture (SBA) is a paradigm shift from Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) to microservices, combining their principles. Network virtualization enables the application of SBA in cellular systems. To better guide the software design of this virtualized cellular system with SBA, this paper presents a software perspective and a positional approach to using fundamental development principles for adapting SBA in virtualized Radio Access Networks (vRANs). First, we present the motivation for using an SBA in cellular radio systems. Then, we explore the critical requirements, key principles, and components for the software to provide radio services in SBA. We also explore the potential of applying SBA-based Radio Access Network (RAN) by comparing the functional split requirements of 5G RAN with existing open-source software and accelerated hardware implementations of service bus, and discuss the limitations of SBA. Finally, we present some discussions, future directions, and a roadmap of applying such a high-level design perspective of SBA to next-generation RAN infrastructure. ; This work was supported in part by the European Union (EU) H2020 5GROWTH Project under Grant 856709, in part by the Generalitat de Catalunya under Grant 2017 SGR 1195, and in part by the National Program on Equipment and Scientific and Technical Infrastructure under the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) under Grant EQC2018-005257-P.