Enabling SFN Transmissions in 5G Cloud-RAN Deployments

In this paper, an innovative Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture design to enable Single Frequency Network (SFN) functionality in 5G Networks is proposed. SFN transmissions impose several challenges and delay constraints in distribution networks. To overcome this, a new functionality is developed by inserting a new logical entity, Centralized Coordination Entity (CCE), inside Cloud-RAN architecture. By leveraging 3GPP Release 15 gNB split functionality, and extending eMBMS SYNC protocol this proposal has minimal imprint over 5G Networks and can support a wide range of SFN transmissions. This design fulfils the requirements for Vehicular and Mission Critical communications, Linear TV distribution or IoT, while overcoming existing limitations in Release 14 eMBMS. A complexity analysis of this solution in terms of imprint over 5G Architecture, latency and dimensionality is used to validate the proposal.