Software-defined RAN for 4G and 5G

NFV-compliant base station software

Overview
IS-Wireless provides a fully software-defined RAN func-
tionality ready to be deployed as set of network functions
(NFs). Physical network functions (PNFs) can run on
typical base stations or remote radio heads. Virtual network
functions (VNFs) can run on any cloud infrastructure, for
example MEC servers. Flexible RAN architecture allows the
components to be used as either PNFs or VNFs, Figure 1.
High granularity of available components and communica-
tion over a network through stable APIs allows unparalleled
customization and adaptation to various vertical markets
(including eHealth, automotive, public safety, smart facto-
ries, smart cities).
Our solution can be primarily licensed to 4G (LTE, LTE-A)
and 5G small cell vendors as 3GPP-compliant future-proof
protocol stack. It can be also provided on SaaS basis for
operators or other service providers.

Figure 1: Software-defined RAN for 4G and 5G.

Technical specification summary

Feature Benefit

Virtualized base station • Enable network slicing and multitenancy

functionalities • Improve use of resources through processing centralization

Base station software moved from • Enable easy software upgrades including new 3GPP releases
running on proprietary hardware to • Allow for cheaper and easily accessible infrastructure
commercial servers

• Lower the costs of RAN infrastructure including maintenance

Small remote radio heads instead
• make carrier-class RAN deployments as easy as WiFi
of large base stations
• Improve connectivity and enable low-power operation also for user terminals

Proprietary intelligent radio • Use scarce radio resources efficiently and enable support for IoT
resource management algorithms • Optimize desired performance parameters (e.g., throughput, latency)

Modular and universal software • Allow for easier and faster customization / testing / upgrades
with well-defined APIs • Enable systems that can be customized and targeted towards multiple verticals

Support for NB IoT, WiFi • Broaden the scope of use

and independent security • Address more markets
Software-defined RAN for 4G and 5G consists of the All the three components can be independently run as
following elements depicted in Figure 2: either virtual or physical network functions.
 Virtualization framework
 RAN controller
 3GPP stack.

Figure 2: The three components of software-defined RAN.

Applications / use cases

Example use case Description

Implementation of small cell base Ability to port physical network functions on typical physical base stations
stations or remote radio heads (small cells are preferable).

Addressing verticals: public safety, ISoftware-defined RAN functionality allows to address numerous vertical
military, automotive, smart cities markets through easily customizable, modular software.

Any type of portable networks, Portable networks give the opportunity to deliver capacity fast where it is needed. Small size
including aerial, vehicular and low power design typically attributed to UE are now also desired features of eNB.

Private networks Flexible NFV-compliant RAN allows to create independent private networks.

Multitenancy and multi operator support RAN slicing makes it possible to host multiple tenants and operators within the same RAN resources.

Macro base station offloading with What is typically done through WiFi can now be done with 3GPP-compliant system,
QoS support and traffic control which additionally supports QoS and allows for monitoring user-plane traffic

Improvement of coverage and High percentage of newer commercial buildings implement window glass which reflects cellular
capacity for enterprises RF signal leading to poor indoor penetration. SD-RAN enabled small cells solve the problem.

About IS-Wireless
IS-Wireless is a Polish software developer and IP provider specializing in advanced solutions for wireless systems.
IS-Wireless develops 4G and 5G algorithms, protocols and tools.
Our clients are primarily early technology adopters including ODMs, OEMs, chip vendors, and operators.
We operate globally delivering our services to companies and organizations from Europe, USA, Africa and Asia.
The company is engaged in EU FP7 projects on 5G and is active in delive-ring technical courses on advanced telecom.

Contact Sales
We would be excited to learn about your business and technical needs and propose a product or customization to fulfill them.
To receive more information about our products, request a quote or get a trial, please contact us at sales@is-wireless.com.