Executive Summary - MTR-007

This technical report defines the MWIF OpenRAN Reference Architecture. This architecture interacts with the MWIF Core Network Reference Architecture (NRA) via the Access Gateway (AGW).

Specifically designed with WCDMA and cdma2000 in mind, the interfaces defined in this report are capable of supporting the services offered to mobile subscribers operating under a variety of standards. Additional radio protocols may be considered in future revisions. The architecture is designed to inter-work with existing core networks as well as future all-IP core networks, such as the MWIF core NRA. In addition, there are provisions for interoperating with existing radio access networks of the same radio link technology that support inter-RAN interfaces. The architecture is not specified to inter-operate with radio access networks having different radio link technologies or where inter-RAN interfaces do not exist.

The scope of this report includes the following topics:

• Principles and requirements for the OpenRAN architecture;
• Functions, functional entities, and their interaction involved in providing wireless access network service;
• A discussion of the conceptual model presented by the OpenRAN, and how it might be implemented;
• A discussion of how the OpenRAN interfaces with the MWIF Core NRA via the Access Gateway;
• Brief discussions of how to map the OpenRAN onto existing RAN architectures, specifically the 3GPP UTRAN and the 3GPP2 IOS 4 RAN.

By writing, publishing and freely distributing mobile/Internet technical reports, MWIF acts as a catalyst to influence technical standards, industry organizations and ultimately worldwide corporations that develop next generation mobile and wireless Internet solutions.

As an international collaborative unit, the membership team that worked on this report is comprised of carriers, developers and ISPs. The benefit of this collaboration is seen in the reference network architecture that is diagramed in this report as well as the supporting documents that follow.

Listed below are the definition of terms that are used in the report.

Definitions
This document employs the following terminology:

• Must, Shall, or Mandatory ‹ the item is an absolute requirement of the Technical Report (TR).
• Should ‹ the item is highly desirable.
• May or Optional ‹ the item is not compulsory, and may be followed or ignored according to the needs of the implementers.