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Ethernet Fronthaul Transport of an Upper-Physical Layer Functional Split using Time-Aware Shaping

Al-Hares, Mohamad Kenan, Assimakopoulos, Philippos, Gomes, Nathan J. (2021) Ethernet Fronthaul Transport of an Upper-Physical Layer Functional Split using Time-Aware Shaping. Optical Switching and Networking, . Article Number 100605. ISSN 1573-4277. (doi:10.1016/j.osn.2021.100605) (KAR id:85344)

Abstract

An Upper Physical layer functional Split (UPS) for an Ethernet fronthaul network is modeled, and the frame delay and Frame Delay Variation (FDV) limitations are investigated. The results show that contention in Ethernet switch ports can cause an increase in the delay and FDV beyond proposed specifications for the UPS and other time-sensitive traffic types such as I/Q-type traffic. Time Aware Shaping (TAS) can significantly reduce or even remove FDV for UPS traffic and I/Q-type traffic, but it is shown that TAS design aspects have to carefully consider the transmission pattern of the contending traffic in the Ethernet fronthaul network switches. Taking into account the transmission pattern of the UPS traffic, different time allocations within TAS window sections are proposed in conjunction with both receiver and transmitterside buffering. Further, it is proven that using TAS with higher link rates for example, 10 Gbps link rates or beyond makes it possible to transport the UPS and time sensitive traffic within its specification over fronthaul fiber spans, more than 10 kilometers length, and/or more hops as TAS can potentially eliminate any increase in the FDV of the UPS traffic.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.osn.2021.100605
Uncontrolled keywords: Mobile fronthaul, Ethernet fronthaul, time-sensitive networking, time-aware shaping, radio access network, functional splits
Subjects: T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Engineering and Digital Arts
Depositing User: Mohamad Al-Hares
Date Deposited: 06 Jan 2021 23:22 UTC
Last Modified: 08 Jan 2022 00:00 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/85344 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Al-Hares, Mohamad Kenan.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3246-8479
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Assimakopoulos, Philippos.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2550-1317
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Gomes, Nathan J..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3763-3699
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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