Fronthaul/Midhaul Networks: Capacity and Latency Requirements Imposed by 6G Disaggregated RANs


Por: Larranaga A., Lagen S., Fabrega J.M., Rivas-Moscoso J.M., Fernandez-Palacios J.P., Tomkos I., Munoz R.

Publicada: 1 may 2025 Ahead of Print: 1 mar 2025
Resumen:
This article analyzes the capacity and latency requirements imposed by various 6G envisioned scenarios and technologies over the fronthaul/ midhaul networks when considering radio access network (RAN) disaggregation. We also examine how emerging 6G technologies -- such as multi-connectivity, coordinated multi-point, and relays -- impact on these requirements. For the capacity requirements, we differentiate between basic and advanced 6G RAN scenarios, considering both single-carrier and multi-carrier setups, while extrapolating configuration parameters based on previous generation systems. For the latency requirements, our study is based on values already envisioned for 5G Advanced. Finally, we propose various transport network scenarios tailored to address such requirements in future 6G fronthaul/midhaul networks, focusing on two specific use cases: flexible function split (FFS) and cell-free multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO).

Filiaciones:
Larranaga A.:
 Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya, Spain

Lagen S.:
 Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya, Spain

Fabrega J.M.:
 Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya, Spain

Rivas-Moscoso J.M.:
 Telefónica Innovación Digital, Spain

Fernandez-Palacios J.P.:
 Telefónica Innovación Digital, Spain

Tomkos I.:
 University of Patras, Greece

Munoz R.:
 Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya, Spain
ISSN: 01636804





IEEE COMMUNICATIONS MAGAZINE
Editorial
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 445 HOES LANE, PISCATAWAY, NJ 08855-4141 USA, Estados Unidos America
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 63 Número: 5
Páginas: 86-93
WOS Id: 001470530700001
imagen Open Access

FULL TEXT

imagen Accepted Version

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