Cloud Radio Access Network: Architectural Foundations, Challenges, and Future Directions

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-906-3_3How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Cloud RAN; baseband virtualization; Remote Radio Head; Fronthaul; Network Function Virtualization; Software-Defined Networking; 5G

Abstract

Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) represents a paradigm shift in wireless network design, moving away from conventional distributed base station architectures toward centralized, cloud-based processing. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the architectural fundamentals of C-RAN, including the centralized Baseband Unit pool, Remote Radio Heads, and the high-speed fronthaul and backhaul links that interconnect them. It explores how virtualization techniques, particularly Network Function Virtualization and Software-Defined Networking — enable efficient aggregation and dynamic allocation of computational and radio resources. The analysis also highlights the evolution from traditional RAN, where baseband processing is co-located with radio functionality, to a centralized model that enhances scalability, reduces capital and operational expenditures, and improves cooperative signal processing. In addition to the architectural advantages, the paper outlines challenges related to fronthaul latency, bandwidth limitations, timing synchronization, and integration of heterogeneous network components.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Download article (PDF)

TY  - CONF
AU  - Matema Digotetso
AU  - Om Shree
AU  - M. Motshegwe Bakang
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/12/12
TI  - Cloud Radio Access Network: Architectural Foundations, Challenges, and Future Directions
BT  - Proceedings of Botho University International Research Conference (BUIRC 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 47
EP  - 57
SN  - 3005-155X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-906-3_3
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-906-3_3
ID  - Digotetso2025
ER  -