Benetel is proud to be part of a recent Parallel Wireless announcement in a key achievement in an Open RAN innovation – the world’s first hardware-agnostic 5G Standalone (SA) software stack. The challenge of a DU that could perform on general purpose CPU was one that the industry has struggled with and this breakthrough is primarily due to our commitment to the vision of Open RAN. Parallel Wireless, in partnership with the University of Bristol, deployed a 5G standalone Open RAN solution in the “5GUK testbed” – a private network built to facilitate research and innovation – situated in the picturesque Bristol Harbor. The project signifies a monumental first as it demonstrates the ability to decouple a common DU (Distributed Unit) software stack from the underlying compute platform and validates the approach on both the Intel® x86 and Arm® architectures, in an outdoor 5G installation.
Advancing 5G Networks Through Innovation
Parallel Wireless’s pioneering deployment of Arm GPP-based Distributed Units (DUs) in a 5G Open RAN installation offers a strategic advantage that cannot be overstated. By embracing Arm processors, the project opens the door to unprecedented flexibility, enabling operators to choose processors from a wide array of manufacturers. This move allows for a broader range of hardware options alongside the traditional x86 platforms. Such versatility not only promises cost-effective alternatives but also holds the potential for substantial energy savings, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable and eco friendly network infrastructure. Additionally, it unlocks a wealth of supply chain options, empowering
operators with the freedom to select the components that best suit their unique needs, ultimately enhancing the adaptability and resilience of their networks.
The Parallel Wireless 5G Open RAN solution utilizes a 5G standalone core and boasts a 100MHz bandwidth for unmatched connectivity. These sites, deployed as centralized RAN where the entire vBBU (i.e., both CU (Centralized Unit) & DU) operates from a remote data center and only the RU is at the cell site, serve as a private network, encompassing the following main components:
• Benetel 5G Open RAN Radio Unit (RU) operating in the n77 band
• AttoCore 5G core (capable of running on x86 and Arm processors)
• Parallel Wireless Centralized Unit (CU) operating on x86 virtual Baseband Units (vBBU)
• Parallel Wireless Distributed Unit (DU) operating on vBBUs using Intel x86 and NXP Layerscape®
Arm® based processors
Reinventing the 5G Landscape
This is the first-ever successful deployment of Arm-based GPP DU-PHYs in a real 5G outdoor installation, coexisting harmoniously with stations powered by alternative architectures. In collaboration with DSIT, the UK Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Parallel Wireless has marked a groundbreaking milestone in the journey of Open RAN solutions.
The deployment is an outcome of Parallel Wireless receiving the DSIT grant for its innovative Proteus project, which productizes processor-agnostic RAN solutions, adaptable for Intel’s x86 as well as Armbased technologies.
The project has been operating successfully, showcasing the robust performance of the Parallel Wireless 5G Open RAN solution, ensuring a seamless experience for 5G User Equipment (UE).
About Parallel Wireless
Parallel Wireless stands at the forefront of open RAN architecture and solutions, on a mission to revolutionize the RAN ecosystem with innovative technologies. Headquartered in the United States and supported by R&D centers in the UK, India, and Israel, Parallel Wireless is a global pioneer, offering comprehensive All-G Macro Open RAN solutions. With a legacy dating back to 2012, Parallel Wireless boasts a rich portfolio of over 900 worldwide patent filings and has been honored with over 100 innovation awards. In the pursuit of excellence, Parallel Wireless is poised to usher in a transformative era, enhancing network performance, reducing carrier total cost of ownership (TCO), and elevating energy efficiency and spectral effectiveness in the telecommunications landscape.
For more information, visit www.parallelwireless.com
About Benetel
Benetel is introducing a variety of leading-edge Radio Units (RU) for the emerging, disaggregated 5G networks of the future with both indoor and outdoor solutions. Committed to supporting the evolving radio access networks around the world by producing hardware and related services that fully embrace the principle of Open RAN. Headquartered in Dublin, the organization’s technically proficient and highly experienced team drive real innovation in the roll-out of small cell infrastructure. With its broad portfolio of outstanding off-the-shelf solutions, covering a wide range of frequency bands and output powers, its services are rounded out with first-class design and test services.
For more information about what Benetel offers the mobile communications market please visit www.benetel.com
