Realisation of the Fronthaul segment of 4G/5G networks based on TSN technology

A distinctive feature of the centralized radio access architecture in 4G/5G mobile networks is its division into a number of functional blocks that interact with each other through the corresponding segments of the xHaul transport network. One of these segments, the Fronthaul, connects via CPRI/eCPRI interfaces the radio unit with the control unit that performs baseband processing. Traditionally, the Fronthaul segment has been implemented using fiber optic cables and providing point-to-point connections. In recent years, due to the rapid development of promising applications there has been an urgent need for the transmission of various types of information over mobile networks traffic that places strict demands on network characteristics. For constructing the Fronthaul transport segment was proposed to use a modified version of standard Ethernet technology − time-sensitive networks TSN, which transmitting various types of traffic while maintaining strict quality of service guarantees. Requirements for the characteristics of a Fronthaul segment based on a TSN Ethernet bridge network and the principles of its construction are described in the IEEE 802.1CM standard. The article provides a brief overview of the materials of this standard, as well as an analysis of the possibilities of its use in the practical implementation of CPRI/eCPRI interfaces in 4G/5G networks.