Radio Access Network (RAN) implementations in mobile networks have traditionally been vendor-specific and implemented with proprietary technology. They do follow the specifications laid out by 3GPP, ITU, IEEE, and other standards bodies, but RAN is complex (as governed by the laws of physics) and meeting the performance KPIs is challenging. So, to meet those KPIs, traditional RAN vendors created proprietary solutions that combine unique software and interfaces with purpose-built hardware designed for sometimes-harsh RAN environments.
The Baseband Unit (BBU), the key component in RAN, is typically designed internally as a “black box”. BBU implementations vary from vendor to vendor. The BBU connects to a proprietary Remote Radio Unit (RRU) through a vendor-specific implementation of the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) protocol (see diagram below).
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