Energy-Efficiency Analysis of Cloud Radio Access Network in Heterogeneous 5G Networks

5G is expected to bring unprecedented innovations in cellular networks, necessary to provide a clear step forward in terms of performance, but also in terms of management and efficiency. This paper addresses the concept of Cloud RAN planning from a quantitative perspective, by proposing a mathematical framework based on the stochastic geometry paradigm to analyse and compare the current 4G/LTE cellular architecture with the 5G Cloud RAN concept in terms of energy consumption in heterogeneous scenarios. Preliminary results, based on actual data from the city of Manchester, provide interesting insights to the potential advantages of Cloud RAN design in lowering energy consumption, and reveal the good potential of the proposed analytical approach.