Large-Scale Virtual BBU Pool Implementation: the First Step Towards a Realistic RAN Virtualization

Radio Access Network (RAN) virtualization is a key concept of 5G Networks and beyond. It provides solution to energy cost problems as well as material and radio resource management. Despite the researches made for its apprehension, the RAN virtualization is still not a reality. An important step for its achievement is the virtual BBU Pool realization. In this paper, we propose a large-scale virtual BBU Pool implementation for a realistic V-RAN. More precisely, we introduce new building blocks to enhance OpenAirInterface (OAI) platform and increase the number of virtual BBUs (vBBUs) previously limited. Then, we propose an orchestrator based on the Docker Swarm technology to achieve a full orchestration between these vBBU. The whole system implementation is performed in a new flexible way which represents an advantage for further research on the RAN virtualization and the OAI platform. Simulation results show the vBBU Pool operation and its material resources consumptions.