Driving Open
RAN forward
An improved open fronthaul
interface bringing performance
to Open RAN
2 Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward
Bringing performance at scale to Open RAN
A new industry-wide agreement on open fronthaul
interfaces enables communication service providers,
CSPs, for the first time, to achieve full performance with
Open RAN in commercial network deployments at scale.
The newly agreed open fronthaul interface promoting openness without compromise networks while also providing the highest
specification Cat-B ULPI* (See below Open on performance. Addressing the challenges level of interoperability and minimizing
Fronthaul interface standard evolution), faced by fronthaul in a manner that additional fronthaul costs.
Uplink Performance Improvement, provides both the highest level of Ericsson will introduce both Cat-A and
provides a vast improvement from the interoperability and the best possible Cat-B on Cloud RAN, purpose-built RAN,
earlier standard, referred to here as Cat-B*. performance is therefore a no-brainer for and Radio, with prioritization based on
Indeed, Cat-B ULPI makes it possible Ericsson. And this commitment matches customer demand, starting in 2024.
to deploy Open RAN at scale, without well CSPs’ own ambitions of high This paper will dive into the Open
compromise on performance, and at performance when deploying Open RAN**. RAN fronthaul interface, zoom in on the
optimal fronthaul costs. Making good on Together with industry partners specifics of Cat-B ULPI for Open RAN in
its long-term commitment to Open RAN, within the O-RAN Alliance, Ericsson has dense network environments, as well as on
Ericsson will start migrating its RAN actively worked towards defining a new Ericsson’s commitment to high-performing
portfolio to Open Fronthaul in 2024. fronthaul interface specification that Open RAN.
The Cat-B ULPI predecessor, Cat-B, addresses the shortcomings of the initial
also referred to as the Cat-B split, was Cat-B split for Massive MIMO* (multiple **Source: Heavy Reading O-RAN survey
developed, and standardized to enable input, multiple output) Radio. In June 2023
an interoperable Open RAN. Unfortunately, 2023, an agreement was reached on two
it came short on delivering the right new fronthaul interface specifications
performance in dense networks with high for Cat-B. Out of those two, the newly
levels of mobility, as extensive simulations standardized Cat-B ULPI-A* lower-
showed. Fronthaul is the most critical layer split specifications is the interface
interface for performance in Open RAN that best enables deployments in dense
and Ericsson has long been committed to environments such as Massive MIMO
*Open fronthaul Cat-A: Current standard for remote radio Cat-B ULPI-A: New standard for M-MIMO,
interface standard evolution units (RRU), refers to the 7-2x Cat-A version A, or Class A, refers to 7.2x ULPI with
no-BF-RU split DMRS-EQ
Cat-B: Current standard for massive Multiple Cat-B ULPI-B: New standard for M-MIMO,
Input, multiple output (M-MIMO) radios, version B, or Class B, refers to 7.2x ULPI with
refers to 7-2x Cat-B DMRS-NEQ
Cat-B ULPI: New standard for M-MIMO,
refers to ULPI improvements on 7-2x Cat-B,
or Cat-B
Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward 3
Contents
04 Open interfaces – A key element in Open RAN
06 The role of the fronthaul interface
08 A new interface to deliver performance at scale with full interoperability
10 Ericsson’s commitment to Open RAN
13 Glossary
4 Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward
01 Open interfaces –
A key element in
Open RAN
Standardized open interfaces that enable different
vendors and components to work together in the most
efficient way are a key success factor in building high-
performing networks. Fronthaul is one of the most critical
interfaces in Open RAN. As it connects the radio units
to the network, it is central to the performance of the air
interface and the overall efficiency of the Radio Access
Network (RAN).
Open and consensus-based development radio unit and the RAN (more specifically functions must be cleverly distributed
of standards has been one of the telecom the distributed unit), which is also known between all three units to optimize the
industry’s strongest foundations, and a as the Lower-Layer Split (LLS). performance of the system.
success factor in its evolution. The Higher-Level Split (HLS), also called
Standardization has been driven via Open RAN architecture mid-haul interface, defines which functions
3GPP, and in more recent years also via In the O-RAN Alliance architecture, the the O-CU and O-DU should handle. 3GPP
the O-RAN Alliance for the specification of baseband functions are split into three agreed on a split whereby the O-CU handles
some key Open RAN interfaces.The O-RAN different logical units, O-RAN Centralized Layer 3 functions, mainly the Radio
Alliance is a global industry initiative that Unit (O-CU), O-RAN Distributed Unit Resource Control (RRC) and the Packet
aims to define the technical specifications (O-DU), and O-RAN Radio Unit (O-RU). Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), while
and interfaces for RAN. Key members of The O-CU and O-DU can either run the O-DU handles Layer 2 functions,
the O-RAN Alliance include major CSPs, on Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) including the Radio Link Control (RLC)
telecom vendors like Ericsson, as well as hardware or on purpose-built hardware. and Medium Access Control (MAC), as well
cloud services and infrastructure players. The O-CU and O-DU running on COTS as the Layer 1 function called High-PHY.
The standardization of the Open RAN hardware are usually referred to as Cloud The interface between the O-CU and the
interfaces is building on the foundation set RAN. The O-RU is most commonly based O-DU, called the F1 interface, as defined by
by 3GPP and is fully interoperable with the on specialized hardware (including 3GPP has been implemented in the O-RAN
evolution of the broader network, including Application Specific Integrated Circuit, architecture.
Core, Transport and Service Management ASIC), field-programmable gate array The Lower-Layer Split (LLS), also
and Orchestration (SMO). (FPGA), or Digital Signal Processors (DSP). called fronthaul interface, splits functions
A key characteristic of Open RAN is that The O-RAN fronthaul interface is used in between the O-RU and the O-DU. The LLS
multiple vendors can – and will – co-exist both Cloud RAN and Purpose-built RAN. is an intra Layer 1 split between the High-
within the RAN domain. To make this The difference between Purpose-built RAN PHY in the O-DU and the low-PHY in the
happen, interfaces between the different and Cloud RAN can be seen in figure 1. O-RU. The LLS, and more specifically the
parts of the network must be standardized. exact split of functions between High-PHY
That work is conducted by the O-RAN Importance of the fronthaul interface in O-DU and Low-PHY in O-RU, has a major
Alliance. It defines standards and In Cloud RAN, just as in Purpose-built RAN, impact on the performance that can be
interfaces for an Open RAN architecture the standards need to specify in detail achieved over the air interface. It therefore
that enables different vendors and which functions should run on which unit to affects the overall spectral efficiency more
components to work together in the most optimize the system. In essence, it means than any other open interface in the RAN
efficient way. Open interfaces specified taking the functions necessary for the base stack. The next chapters will focus on the
by the O-RAN Alliance include interfaces station to work and placing them on the fronthaul interface and how the split of
between the RAN and SMO (A1, O1) and different units, O-CU, O-DU, and the O-RU, functions between O-DU and O-RU impacts
the Open Fronthaul interface between the as seen in figure 2. The different high-level the performance and design of the RAN.
Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward 5
Figure 1: Purpose-built RAN and Open RAN
Purpose-built RAN
Open RAN
Figure 2: Distribution of functions in O-RAN
RRC L3 Function Subfunction Main processing function
CU
PDCP
CU Control plane (CU-C) Radio Resource Control
User place (CU-U) Pocket Data Convergence Protocol
F1
L2
High Layer Split (HLS / F1)
RLC
DU MAC DU Distributed Unit Radio Link Control
Medium Access Protocol
Physical layers
High-PHY
LLS
Lower Layer Split (LLS / F1)
L1
RU
RU Radio Unit Beamforming (if applicable)
Low-PHY
gNB
6 Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward
02 The role of the
fronthaul interface
Remote radios and Massive MIMO radios require different
fronthaul interfaces. As the number of antenna elements
and processing power in the radio unit increases, so does
the complexity the fronthaul interface needs to handle.
The split of functions across the Lower- The optimal Lower-Layer Split differs interface. This, in turn, would require
Layer split, LLS, can be done in various between these two categories of radios. adding fronthaul transport capacity, in
ways. The optimal split depends on Remote radios can deliver the practice adding more fibers between the
multiple factors including bitrate capacity performance for which they were designed O-RU and the O-DU, which would be very
requirements between the distributed unit with most functions sitting in the O-DU. costly. To address this issue and support
(O-DU) and the radio (O-RU), fronthaul With a maximum of eight digital antenna Massive MIMO radios, the O-RAN Alliance
latency, radio complexity, and radio ports and, correspondingly, eight channels introduced a new split, the Cat-B split, also
performance. There are two primary between O-RU and O-DU, existing known as the 7-2x split. In short, this split
contexts that need to be considered when fronthaul capacity in most remote radios places the RF and low-Phy functions in
defining the LLS: Remote radios and is sufficient to transport data across the the O-RU, and the high-Phy, MAC and RLC
Massive MIMO radios. fronthaul interface. In a Remote Radio functions in the O-DU. The split does not
Remote radios are usually used in scenario, the radios can therefore be only place low-PHY in the radio unit, but it
locations with lower traffic needs, for simpler compared to M-MIMO radios, also makes the low-PHY handle complex
example rural areas. They are connected to with only a limited set of L1 processing functions, in particular beamforming.
antennas with a maximum of eight digital functions in addition to the Digital Front The aim of the Cat-B split was to
antenna ports. These antennas and radios End (DFE), while the O-DU performs most strike a balance between the processing
are straightforward from a fronthaul of the L1 processing. The standard that capabilities of the O-RU and the capacity of
interface perspective and the need for was developed for these types of radios is the fronthaul interface and to create a clear
processing power in the O-RU is lower known as the Cat-A split and works fine for separation of responsibilities to simplify
in comparison to that of Massive MIMO Remote Radios deployments. multi-vendor deployments. Unfortunately,
radios. Massive MIMO radios, on the For Massive MIMO radios, the story the design choices and compromises made
other hand, are used in locations with is quite different. The higher number of in this split led to a trade-off between
high-capacity requirements. They support digital antennas–today typically up to 64– high user throughput performance and
more than eight digital antenna ports. means bigger compute needs, especially optimized fronthaul capacity, especially in
Massive MIMO radios are more complex for beamforming. This compute could take the uplink for Massive MIMO deployments
and require more processing power in place either in the O-RU or in the O-DU. in environments with high interference,
the O-RU to handle the more complex But running it in the O-DU, as is the case load, and User Equipment (UE) mobility.
beamforming calculations that come with with Cat-A, would require a lot of data to
a larger number of digital antenna ports. be communicated across the fronthaul
Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward 7
Figure 3a & 3b: Split of function in Cat-B – Challenges with beamforming in the O-RU
3a 3b
Radio (O-RU)
O-RU
Beamforming
UL Beamforming DL Beamforming
Delay
(UL) Uplink (DL) Downlink
O-DU
Channel and
Equalizer interference
estimation
UL Channel estimation DL BFW calculation
UL BFW calculation SRS Chan Estimation
Decoder
UL Equalizer DL transmitter
Scheduler Baseband (O-DU)
Two major challenges with beamforming in the O-RU
Loss of channel information: Placing the beamforming function in the O-RU helps reduce the number of streams transmitted to the
O-DU but leads to a loss of channel information.
Delay: Beamforming in the O-RU is based on the previous channel information calculated in the O-DU, creating a certain delay
How the split works generates a reduced number of streams of the Massive MIMO radios to a physical
Let us look at how the Cat-B split that are transmitted to the O-DU. This location where the UE no longer is or
works, technically, as it will help us better solves the bitrate problem in the fronthaul trying to cancel interference in a frequency
understand where performance issues but comes with some inherent drawbacks. that is no longer subject to interference.
arise, and what a new solution should The reduction of streams leads to a loss Performance issues in Massive MIMO
include to ensure that the right performance of channel information in both the space networks mean that CSPs cannot deliver
can be achieved. A simplified view of the and frequency domains, reducing the optimal performance in environments
split of functions in the Cat-B standard is capability to track channels and suppress where uplink performance is critical, such
depicted on the schematic figure 3a. interference. Another major challenge as in stadiums, busy downtown streets,
The Cat-B split limits the functions with the solution is that beamforming in locations with tall buildings, etc.
placed in the O-RU, placing most of those the O-RU is based on the previous channel There were different possible
in the O-DU, in particular the uplink information calculated in the, and high implementations of the Cat-B split but,
channel estimation, beamforming weight spatial variability O-DU; this creates a it proved impossible to simultaneously
calculations, and the equalizer. These certain delay, of approximately 10-20ms, handle high interference, high mobility
functions are all closely related to the which in turn leads to reduced robustness and high spatial variability, the exact
beamforming function running in the O-RU. when it comes to interference and best characteristics of an environment
This means that a lot of data still needs performance when UEs are moving. where Massive MIMO radios are usually
to be communicated across the fronthaul To understand why this leads to deployed. When you have a Massive
interface. To mitigate the challenge of large performance issues, imagine an urban MIMO system, the most sophisticated
data volumes and bitrate in the fronthaul, location where Massive MIMO radios system you can deploy in the densest
as depicted in the schematic figure 3b, are deployed, with many highly mobile urban areas, you want to make sure you
the standard introduced a beamforming UEs and with time-varying inter-cell can use your spectrum in the best way
function in the O-RU, which allows the interference. The radio landscape in this possible. There should be no limitations on
selection of digital streams. The purpose of scenario is constantly changing, UEs uplink performance. This is why the initially
the beamforming function is to reduce the moving in the environment, and any delay agreed Cat-B standard was not sufficient.
amount of data to be communicated across introduced by this split would degrade Something had to be done about it.
the fronthaul interface. Instead of sending the accuracy of the beamforming to a
data from all digital antenna ports across point where it is no longer precise enough
the interface, the beamforming function to ensure the best possible performance.
creates a set of most relevant beams that Essentially, it could risk pointing the beams
8 Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward
03 A new interface to
deliver performance
at scale with full
interoperability
The improved fronthaul standard Cat-B ULPI-A can
deliver the right performance at scale as it solves the
original problem of implementing Massive MIMO
Radio on O-RAN with existing fronthaul capacity.
Creating a clear separation of responsibilities between
O-RU and O-DU also translates into a higher degree of
interoperability.
Performance is the primary driver of end- that the Cat-B ULPI-A specification places Performance improvements with
user satisfaction; it is what allows CSPs the equalizer function in the O-RU while Cat-B ULPI
to optimize the utilization of their much- the Cat-B ULPI-B specification places it The uplink performance based on Cat-B
coveted spectrum resources and lets them in the O-DU. The difference in placement ULPI-A shows a clear advantage compared
move as many bits as possible with as comes with some implications. with Cat-B, as shown in the graph figure 5.
little hardware and energy as possible. The Cat-B ULPI-A configuration It shows how Cat-B ULPI supports a higher
After multiple simulations from different places the equalizer function in the O-RU, maximum cell throughputwith a lower
companies, the shortcomings of Cat-B which solves the original problem of uplink fronthaul bitrate. The Cat-B ULPI
on the uplink in a Massive MIMO context implementing Massive MIMO Radio in simulation uses on average between 1 and
were eventually acknowledged, and a Open RAN with existing fronthaul capacity., 4 streams while the Cat-B simulation uses
Work Item, WI, was initiated within O-RAN while also enabling easy multivendor 12 streams. Thanks to its better receiver,
in February 2022. The initial objective of interoperability thanks to a clear Cat-B ULPI can handle more simultaneous
the WI was to understand whether the separation of concerns between O-RU and users/layers. It supports therefore a higher
uplink performance issue of Cat-B was O-DU. Indeed, it allows to minimize the maximum cell throughput and higher user
big enough to justify developing and fronthaul bitrate by transmitting only the throughput while having a lower uplink
standardizing a new architecture. It soon user data layers between the O-RU and fronthaul bitrate by a factor of at least
became clear that this was the case. the O-DU. At the same time, Cat-B ULPI-A three in comparison to Cat-B.
As part of the WI, two proposals were ensures the highest uplink performance The agreement on the improved
brought forward to improve the Cat-B and creates a clear separation of Cat-B fronthaul specifications, Cat-B
Massive MIMO uplink performance: DMRS- responsibilities between O-RU and O-DU, ULPI, standardized both version A and
BF-EQ, referred to here as Cat-B ULPI-A which translates into a higher degree of B and specified clearly how they would
and DMRS-BF-NEQ, referred to as Cat-B interoperability. If you place the equalizer work together. Radio unit vendors can
ULPI-B. in the O-DU, the Channel Estimation implement either Cat-B ULPI-A or Cat-B
needs to be performed in two different ULPI-B but, to ensure interoperability, the
Cat-B ULPI-A and Cat-B ULPI-B: What’s places, and it is necessary to ensure good standard also specifies that the distributed
the difference? coordination between O-DU and O-RU to unit should support both version A and
The difference between Cat-B ULPI-A and get fullradio performance. It can get tricky version B radio units. Figure 5 shows Cat-B
Cat-B ULPI-B, which both address Uplink to achieve that level of synchronization ULPI’s fronthaul architecture options.
Performance Improvement, ULPI, is small when channel estimation algorithms come
but significant. The principal difference is from two different vendors.
Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward 9
Figure 4: Cell throughput and fronthaul bitrate with Cat-B ULPI vs. Cat-B
Higher maximum cell throughput
Thanks to its better receiver, Cat-B ULPI can handle more
simultaneous users/layers. This means Cat-B ULPI supports a
higher maximum cell throughput and higher user throughput
while having a lower uplink fronthaul bitrate.
Factor 3 fronthaul bitrate reduction
The Cat-B ULPI simulation uses on average between 1 and 4
streams and the Cat-B simulation 12 streams. This means an
improvement in mean UE throughput by at least a factor 3 lower
fronthaul bitrate with Cat-B ULPI in comparison to Cat-B.
Figure 5: Cat-B ULPI fronthaul architecture options
Cat-B ULPI-A Cat-B ULPI-B
O-RU O-RU
UL Channel estimation
UL BFW calculation UL Channel estimation
UL Equalizer UL BFW calculation
UL Beamforming DL Beamforming UL Beamforming DL Beamforming
Uplink (UL) Downlink (DL) Uplink (UL) Downlink (DL)
O-DU O-DU
DL BFW calculation UL Channel estimation DL BFW calculation
SRS Chan Estimation SRS Chan Estimation
DL transmitter UL Equalizer DL transmitter
Scheduler Scheduler
Based on Integrated UL receiver Architecture Based on Split UL receiver Architecture
10 Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward
04 Ericsson’s
commitment
to Open RAN
Ericsson has and always will be fully committed to
delivering the best performance. We are therefore fully
committed to implementing the new standard, as it
delivers not only performance at scale but the most
interoperable eco-system.
Ericsson has, over the last couple of years, interface meet our customers’ needs— purpose-built RAN, and Radio, with
embraced Open RAN, supporting key enable us to incorporate Open RAN prioritization based on customer demand,
open interfaces and concepts, such as A1 fronthaul into our comprehensive, industry- starting in 2024. Ericsson’s market-leading
(Interface for policy guidance) and rAPPS. leading radio portfolio, facilitating the Massive MIMO functions will be available
We will extend our support by adding O1 development of Open RAN on a larger scale. in our open fronthaul Cat-B ULPI
(Interface for operations and maintenance) At Ericsson, our commitment to implementation. Furthermore, we will also
and Open Fronthaul to both our Cloud supporting open fronthaul is steadfast. apply one common management and
RAN and purpose-built RAN portfolio. Initially, we will introduce support for orchestration system built on cloud-native
Specifically regarding the fronthaul Open RAN fronthaul in our Cloud RAN principles for the entire portfolio.
interface to the radios, Ericsson initally solution, incorporating it into the Ericsson Ericsson’s focus has been, is and will
focused on supporting our existing radio O-DU. Subsequently, we will enhance our continue to be, performance because this is
interfaces. Going forward, Ericsson will installed base of latest generation Massive what matters most for our customers and
open up support for these radio interfaces MIMO radios, allowing for the integration the users of their networks. This is why we
with Open Fronthaul capabilities based on and upgrade to Open RAN fronthaul. Our put a lot of effort and focus into the O-RAN
the Cat-A and Cat-B UPLI specifications. purpose-built RAN solution, equipped Alliance standardization work. The creation
Ericsson, in collaboration with O-RAN with Ericsson’s specialized RAN Compute of the Cat-B ULPI standard, for which
alliance members, has been diligently hardware, will fully support Open RAN Ericsson has been one of the leading forces,
working to update Open Fronthaul fronthaul. Furthermore, all future Ericsson reflects this dedication.
specifications towards an enhanced radios will also be designed to incorporate Ericsson has long been a major
standard, Cat-B ULPI. This enhancement Open RAN fronthaul. contributor to the O-RAN Alliance work
to the Open RAN fronthaul standard As we prepare to introduce support and we will continue to contribute to the
ensures optimal uplink performance with in upcoming radios, a phased approach standardization and drive the O-RAN
the existing fronthaul capacity. This refined has been adopted for migrating to open ecosystem forward. Cat-B ULPI is a
standard augments the interoperability fronthaul within our radio portfolio. Our welcome addition as the performance
between the O-RU and the O-DU, offering planned initiatives include the introduction enhancements it enables in Open RAN will
more choices to customers in the RAN of the Cat-B ULPI-A standard in Massive likely help accelerate the take-up of
ecosystem. MIMO radios and the Cat-A standard in Massive MIMO networks and therefore
These enhancements—ensuring that Remote Radios. Ericsson will introduce improve end-user experience in dense
the performance levels of the fronthaul both Cat-A and Cat-B on Cloud RAN, urban areas.
Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward 11
Figure 6: Open Fronthaul specification update
O-RAN Fronthaul splits before June 2023 O-RAN Fronthaul splits after June 2023
12 Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward
Ericsson | Driving Open RAN forward 13
05 Glossary
M-MIMO, Massive MIMO, massive Multiple Input, Multiple Output
A combination of a Massive MIMO radio and a set of Massive MIMO features. A Massive
MIMO radio consists of an antenna array tightly integrated with the hardware and
software required for the transmission and reception of radio signals, and signal
processing algorithms to support the execution of the Massive MIMO features.
O-LLS, Open Lower-Layer split: Also known as Open Fronthaul (OFH)
Layer 1, or fronthaul interface, that splits functions between the O-RAN radio unit (O-RU)
and the O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU).
Open RAN, Open Radio Access Network
An industry term for open radio access network architecture. It is a RAN that includes
open interoperable interfaces and virtualization and is big data and AI-enabled. It is a
multi-supplier RAN solution that allows for the separation - or disaggregation - between
hardware and software with open interfaces and virtualization, hosting software that
controls and updates networks in the cloud.
O-RAN, the O-RAN Alliance
A global industry initiative founded in 2018 that is defining technical specifications for
RAN automation, cloudification, and disaggregation. Ericsson is a key contributor to the
O-RAN Alliance and has three Work Group/Focus Group co-chair positions. Among the
total 289 O-RAN Alliance contributors, only 15 companies have co-chair positions, and
only one other than Ericsson, has three.
O-RU, O-RAN radio unit
Radio hardware unit that converts radio signals sent to and from the antenna into a
digital signal for transmission over packet networks. The O-RU handles the digital front
end (DFE), the lower PHY layer, and the digital beamforming functionality.
O-DU, O-RAN distributed unit
Software usually deployed on site on a COTS server, normally close to the RU on site.
The O-DU runs the RLC, MAC, and parts of the PHY layer.
O-CU, O-RAN central unit
A logical node that split into two logical components, one for the Control Plane (CP), and
one for the User Plane (UP). The O-CU hosts protocols such as the radio resource control
(RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol
(PDCP).
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