Pre-Silicon Validation of Next Generation O-RAN Compliant Radio Units Chipsets
White Papers
Shorter time to market and accelerated innovation of open radio access networks pose a unique challenge to radio unit and distributed unit ASIC designers. While the complexity of the radio unit increases, design cycles are getting shorter. The need to test and validate in the pre-silicon stage increases because you can implement changes to the design more easily and cost-effectively than during post-silicon validation and debug.
Introduction to O-RAN Fronthaul
Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture is based on a disaggregated RAN model, which consists of breaking down the Base Station protocol functions and distributing them among separate units, typically called Centralized, Distributed, and Radio Units. There are various driving forces behind transformation towards Open RAN. Moving to Open RAN will enable the virtualization of the network functions, which will lead to shorter time to market for new services and functions. Open RAN also makes it possible for smaller network vendors to enter the RAN market as they do not need to design a complete RAN. This new business model leads to accelerated innovation and adoption of new features.