Mobile Fronthaul Architecture and Technologies: a RAN Equipment Assessment

Optical fiber is the required technology for Radio Access Network (RAN) backhaul and fronthaul. We report the evolution of RAN equipment including the advent of virtualization and an investigation of the required architecture and optical access technologies.© 2017 Optical Society of America. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibited