Mobile Fronthaul Tests - CPRI/OBSAI Testing

The rapid spread of smartphones and tablets together with many new Cloud services in the last decade have led to explosive growth in mobile data traffic. Operators are supporting mobile data traffic growth by increasing the bandwidth of mobile communications networks. This has been an important driver for a complete change in mobile communications systems with the adoption of the Centralized-Radio Access Networks (C-RAN), sometimes called Cloud-Radio Access Networks. Another important driver for operators has been reducing network running costs.

Using C-RAN, the mobile fronthaul is configured with centralized Base Band Units (BBU) controlling multiple, distributed Remote Radio Head (RRH) units at antenna sites. BBUs and RRHs are connected via general-purpose interfaces, most commonly the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI), or in some cases the Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (OBSAI).