Altera & China Mobile demonstrate virtualised C-RAN platform for 5G

C-RAN has the potential to create tremendous new business models for network operators, and numerous new applications for the end users of 5G wireless networks.

Visitors to the China Mobile booth (Hall 3 Stand 3A10) at Mobile World Congress can experience the mobile broadband service (voice, data and video calls) delivered by this virtualised platform with live service migration support from server to server. This demonstrates the concept of NFV within the C-RAN context.

The strategic collaboration, formally established between Altera and China Mobile Research Institute (CMRI) in 2014, has achieved a significant milestone with this innovative wireless network solution. This solution can provide future 5G networks the benefits of lower power consumption, lower total operating costs and higher scalability than current wireless networks. To accelerate the development and deployment of such next-gen wireless networks, FPGA technologies play a key role in data processing acceleration, component connectivity and front-haul data transportation in the C-RAN system.

Chih-Lin I, Chief Scientist, CMRI, commented: “It has been nearly five years since CMRI first introduced the C-RAN concept to the industry, and there is now wide recognition within the industry that this solution is essential for 5G networks. As a key partner helping to realise the industry vision of the C-RAN architecture-based 5G wireless network, Altera provided advanced technologies and great support to our project as we conducted the research and development together.”

“We have great respect for CMRI as an important partner and an innovative industry leader in developing the C-RAN architecture toward 5G wireless networks. Our close collaboration with China Mobile will enable Altera to continuously innovate and offer competitive products and technologies to meet the demands of next-gen wireless networks in terms of power, performance, flexibility and cost; and we are honoured to work with CMRI on future architectures,” added Francis Chow, Vice President and General Manager, Communications Business Unit, Altera.