CoMP-O-RAN

• Funding: £4,732,473
• Location: Marlow, Bristol, Glasgow, Slough, London and DCMS Auto Air 5G Testbed at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire
• Partners: Dense Air Limited, Airspan Communications Limited, Blu Wireless Technology Limited, University of Glasgow, Radisys UK Limited

Coordinated Multipoint Open Radio Access Network (CoMP-O-RAN) will revolutionize the performance and cost of densified 5G New Radio (NR) outdoor small cell clusters.  The integration of standard Open Radio Access Network technology with mmWave transport systems enables the deployment of disaggregated multi-transmission and reception multi-node 5G NR without the need for excessive fibre which drives down capital-intensive deployment costs.

At the same time, CoMP-O-RAN will provide enhanced radio performance in the form of better coverage and higher capacity. This enables 5G operators to deliver excellent 5G at significantly lower “cost per bit”.   The project will develop a novel 5G NR CoMP algorithm and software implementation plus a new 5G RAN product with an integrated mmWave transport. It covers the full lifecycle from concept design through to prototype hardware and proof-of-concept deployment and validation in preparation for mass commercial manufacture and deployment.   CoMP-O-RAN, as a project, will generate highly skilled UK 5G technology employment, leading to additional manufacturing and supply chain development here in the UK.  Where possible we will look to source in areas of regional inequality, building on the governments levelling up agenda and industry 4.0 strategy to promote digital skills.

Project Overiew from Innovation Briefing Issue 8

The Coordinated Multipoint Open Radio Access Network (CoMP-O-RAN) will deploy densified outdoor small cell clusters using 5G New Radios (NR) to complement existing mobile networks, reduce the cost-per-bit and deliver enhanced 5G network performance.

The project is led by 5G Neutral Host Operator Dense Air, working with Airspan Communications, Blu Wireless, Radisys and the University of Glasgow.

Building radio backhaul into a cell significantly reduces the need for expensive fibre installations. At the same time, CoMP-O-RAN will provide enhanced performance in the form of better coverage and higher capacity.  This will enable mobile network operators to deliver excellent 5G at a significantly lower cost-per-bit and enabling faster deployment timelines by removing the need for the installation of fibre backhaul at each cell in a cluster.

This project will develop a novel 5G New Radio CoMP algorithm and software implementation, plus a new 5G RAN product with an integrated mmWave fronthaul capability developed by Blu Wireless. The project encompasses the full lifecycle, from concept design through to prototyping and proof-of-concept deployments, which will be used for validation in preparation for mass commercial deployment.

It is anticipated that the product, developed and prototyped in the UK will be widely exported, initially targeting markets where Dense Air operates. 

The solution will be validated at the AutoAir testbed at the Millbrook automotive proving ground, an existing DCMS 5G funded project, providing a secure environment to evaluate and document the solutions impact in real-world scenarios ahead of scaled commercial deployments.

Issue 8 & More...