Enabling Distributed Base Station Architectures with CPRI

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Abstract
Wireless operators are increasingly challenged to support a diverse array of emerging broadband, data-oriented mobile services. Simultaneously, they must find ways to reduce capital and operational costs of the networks that will deliver both new and existing services. Two major equipment trends are beginning to emerge as enablers for deploying more cost-effective, next-generation wireless access networks:

• Distributed base stations using Remote Radio Heads (RRHs); and
• Vendor-driven open standards for next-generation base stations.

As a leading contributor to both of these trends, the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) industry initiative has developed an open, publicly available specification that standardizes the digital interface to RRHs and enables the realization of this exciting new base station deployment topology. This white paper will:

• Describe the distributed base station concept, RRHs and the many benefits that this new network architecture can bring for wireless operators
• Introduce CPRI and illustrate how it fuels the growing paradigm shift to distributed base stations
• Explore the features of the CPRI protocol in detail

About PMC
PMC-Sierra™ is a leading provider of high speed broadband communications and storage semiconductors and MIPS-Powered™ processors for Enterprise, Access, Metro Optical Transport, Storage Area Networking and Wireless network equipment. The company offers worldwide technical and sales support, including a network of offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the PMCS symbol and is included in the S&P 500 Index.

About the Author
Gerry Leavey is a Technical Advisor in the Communication Products Division at PMC-Sierra. Previously, he has held design and management positions with British Telecom, Lucent Technologies, and Toucan Technology. Gerry graduated with a bachelor of Electronic Engineering degree from the National University of Ireland, Galway in 1988.

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