IP-RAN Architecture

Outstanding Performance and Scale; Compelling Economics

Airvana’s CDMA 2000 1xEV-DO network infrastructure products are designed to support the implementation of an IP-RAN architecture. An IP-RAN architecture uses Internet Protocol (IP) rather than proprietary protocols as the communication protocol between Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) and Base Station Controllers (BSC) in the radio access network (RAN). This architecture delivers carrier-grade mobility, scalability and reliability, is optimized for mobile broadband multimedia service deployment and reduces capital and operational costs in comparison to proprietary protocol-based alternatives. Airvana pioneered the concept of an IP-RAN architecture for EV-DO radio access networks.

In a traditional RAN architecture, proprietary communication protocols are used over TDM links that connect Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) to the Base Station Controller (BSC). A strict BTS to BSC hierarchy is maintained because every BTS is connected to only one BSC. Complex, proprietary protocols are then used for communication between BSCs to support mobility over large areas. High availability is achieved by building custom, redundant hardware that requires a large footprint. Most 2G CDMA and GSM networks use this type of architecture.

In an IP-RAN environment, Airvana’s BTS systems, referred to as radio nodes (RN), communicate with multiple Base Station Controllers, referred to as Radio Network Controllers (RNC), using IP as the transport protocol. This one-to-many relationship between RNs and RNCs facilitates scaling, increases inherent reliability and eliminates performance-degrading boundaries found in the traditional architectures. Operating costs are reduced because backhaul traffic, which increases rapidly in broadband networks, can be carried over low-cost transport using IP.

Service providers can introduce Airvana’s IP-RAN architecture into an existing TDM-based network environment without disrupting or redesigning the network. All Airvana radio nodes natively support IP over T1/E1 and Ethernet interfaces, giving service providers the ability to introduce EV-DO technology within a framework of established T1/E1 links. As the network grows, the service provider can aggregate T1/E1 lines and leverage lower-cost optical transport. Alternatively, the operator can chose any other transport technology available. The entire backhaul transport network can be built using standard, off-the-shelf IP switches and routers.
Airvana’s IP-RAN architecture creates an ideal foundation for delivering real-time services such as Voice over IP (VoIP) and Multicast. With an IP-RAN architecture, Quality of Service (QoS), an essential requirement for VoIP, can be applied uniformly across the core network and the radio access network (RAN). Handoffs are fast and introduce no additional latency. Better QoS and lower latency translate into higher VoIP capacity. Features like Broadcast and Multicast Services (BCMCS) introduced in EV-DO Rev. A benefit from IP Multicast.
The migration of mobile wireless networks to IP has begun. An IP-RAN architecture creates a high performance network infrastructure that can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively and provides a foundation for ongoing network evolution. Airvana’s IP-RAN architecture brings IP into the RAN to optimize performance, reliability and scale. Airvana’s feature-rich RAN products and innovative IP-RAN architecture provide a reliable foundation for high-speed mobile connectivity today and support a graceful evolution path to an all-IP broadband wireless network that will support demanding applications such as push-to-talk, push-to-multimedia, video telephony and Voice over IP.[source]