Novel M-CORD Based Multi-Functional Split Enabled Virtualized Cloud RAN Testbed with Ideal Fronthaul

In this paper, we mainly evaluate a proof-of-concept (PoC) for a cost-efficient virtualized, functional splits 2 and 5 enabled TDM-PON based Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN) using M-CORD. In doing so, we first present a novel M-CORD based prototype for the virtualized CRAN (vCRAN) in LTE systems. We then evaluate the PoC under ideal fronthauls for the vCRAN by assessing the feasibility of the TDM-PON system and virtualization of CRAN itself as a cost-efficient solution as well as the impact of fronthaul delay and packet loss using both TCP and UDP traffic with the 3GPP functional splits 2 and 5. Finally, we compare the evaluation results with both splits, and overall, it is found that split 5 shows better throughput performances than split 2. More specifically under ideal fronthauls, with virtualized BBUs, the throughput improvement is significant for TCP as compared to UDP, which are about 30%-40% and 40%-45% higher in mean throughputs respectively in the downlink and uplink with split 5 than that with split 2. Further, unlike split 2, the mean throughput with split 5 is neither affected by the TDM-PON system nor deviated considerably with the fronthaul delay and packet loss.