This section describes the 5G RAN support provided in this reference architecture.
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This section describes the 5G RAN support provided in this reference architecture.
Over the next two years, 5G will be deployed in a wide variety of applications, unlike 4G which was initially focused on mobile broadband services and only later evolved to support low-speed Internet of Things (IoT) and high-speed gigabit services. Initially, 5G will be deployed in the low-band cellular spectrum and in fixed wireless applications as well as industrial/venue settings adding high capacity/low latency services. The 2G, 3G, and 4G networks directly provided service to end users and devices while 5G, using both NLOS "Sub-6 GHz" and LOS "mmWave" Bands requires base stations to be closer to end users and IoT devices.
Indoor compared to outdoor applications and early deployments with LTE (5G Non-Stand Alone) mean that 4G and 5G network densification is happening now and requires a wide variety of deployment options.
The following figure shows that Airspan has the right portfolio to meet the wide demands of 5G deployments and 4G densification including support for disaggregated and All-in-One architectures, indoor and outdoor deployments, and sub-6GHz and mmWave bands:
Airspan Networks is a leading provider of innovative vRAN software and hardware solutions for 4G and 5G networks with over 1M cells shipped worldwide. Since 2019, Airspan has booked over 500 private networks covering many use cases. Airspan is a trusted companion for businesses around the world.
Airspan's OpenRANGE vRAN software (shown in the following figure) allows for a modular, scalable architecture, which means deployment flexibility and cost savings.
Key benefits and features of OpenRANGE vRAN software include:
The Airspan OpenRANGE vCU (Air5G-CU) software is shown in the following figure:
The software package includes:
Key benefits of the Air5G-CU are:
The Airspan OpenRANGE vDU (Air5G-DU) software is shown in the following figure:
The software package includes:
Key benefits of the Air5G-DU are:
The ACP is a complete, effective network function controller and manager.
The ACP provides a rich suite of features that delivers management and network orchestration applicable to any customer deployment, including network operators, private networks, and enterprises.
ACP can perform the life cycle management and orchestration of O-RAN compliant 5G vRAN network functions, including interfacing with NFVI components and infrastructure, such as Kubernetes, OSS, and frameworks within SMO or ETSI MANO.
A comprehensive solution for fulfillment, assurance, and analytics, ACP provides command and control of the network in all domains. Rich and flexible sets of data, ranging from logs, events, alarms, counters, KPI, upgrades, actions, and status, are available to meet all customer demands for network control and management.
A single platform manages Airspan's diverse portfolio of multi-technology products, including 5G, 5G CBRS, and third-party 5G O-RAN compliant radios, to provide a window into the complete network infrastructure, performance, configuration, assurance, optimization, and more.
A highly scalable, industry-leading feature set includes zero touch provisioning with plug and play, comprehensive OSS APIs, dashboards, parameter grouping catering to both network operators or enterprise deployments, and more.
ACP is aligned to key industry standards and bodies, such as CBRS WInnForum, O-RAN Alliance, and 3GPP, allowing quick integration and deployment.
With ACP, customers have flexibility to span and control single or multiple technologies, provide full management and control, integrate into existing OSS/BSS stacks, and automate network orchestration and management.
CBRS is the 3550 MHz through 3700 MHz spectrum band that is allocated for public use by the FCC for use within the United States. The Wireless Innovation Forum (WInnForum), a multi-stakeholder group, has developed the underlying standards for this three-tiered access system. WInnForum defines the rules for using the 3.55 GHz – 3.70 GHz band (technology agnostic) in the United States. The CBRS band does not require spectrum licenses and reduces the cost of data transmissions using the shared spectrum. Airspan CBRS 5G NR-based solutions in the 3.5 GHz band enable both in-building and outdoor coverage and increase expansion capacity, due to its maximum CAT-A and CAT-B EIRP. Our portfolio is based in our awarded product platform AirSpeed and AirVelocity.
CBRS lowers the barrier to entry for non-traditional wireless carriers while providing opportunities for operators to set up private networks that are separated from licensed and expensive spectrum. The performance of these private networks is better than the Wi-Fi that is used today for this purpose.
With the option to use either the Priority Access License (PAL) or General Authorized Access (GAA) spectrum, or both, network operators can have access to up to 150 MHz of spectrum for gigabit-level services.
Dynamic spectrum-sharing of the lightly licensed 3.5 GHz band aims to satisfy the growing demand for capacity and opens the market for new business opportunities and business models for newcomers and existing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) such as:
The following figure shows the Airspan 5G NR CBRS portfolio:
The Airspan AirVelocity 2700 (RU) is validated as part of the Private Wireless reference architecture that features:
The Airspan OpenRANGE AirVelocity 2700 (as shown in the following figure) provides 5G NR, sub-6 GHz indoor coverage.
Meeting the demand for indoor connectivity, it is an ideal and powerful solution to deliver a superior network access experience, boosting throughput to speeds of over 2 Gbps. The AirVelocity 2700 supports O-RAN split 7.2x for deployment flexibility in an open interface architecture. The AirVelocity 2700 is also available in a CBRS variant that is part of Airspan's end-to-end CBRS portfolio, offering full SAS.
The AirVelocity 1901 (shown in the following figure) is a 5G-NR, all-in-one gNB sub-6 GHz indoor solution consisting of a RU, DU, and CU in a single unit that provides network adaptability for operators.
It is also available in a CBRS variant that is part of Airspan's end-to-end 5G CBRS portfolio, offering full SAS integration with all SAS vendors, and supports both maximum CAT-A EIRP and multiple carriers. The AirVelocity 1901 delivers enhanced, indoor network coverage and capacity.
For additional Airspan 5G offerings, see: https://www.airspan.com/5g-products/.