Introducing the SmartCloud Enterprise Radio Access Network – E-RAN

The SmartCloud architecture is a purpose-built Enterprise Radio Access Network (E-RAN) that combines Enterprise WLAN system architecture with UMTS small cell technologies. This unprecedented system architecture is capable of providing universal wireless session management for all mobile devices inside the enterprise across different radio technology combinations. The E-RAN system gives mobile operators a new tool for delivering in-building wireless services to enterprise customers. In addition to universal wireless session management, it represents a new vision for RAN architecture that provides native and transparent integration between mobile devices and corporate network assets with no need to modify or generate new standards to provide the functionalities we promise to deliver.

The E-RAN System Architecture

SpiderCloud Wireless recognized from the start that standalone small cells do not scale in enterprise deployments. The SmartCloud E-RAN solution introduces a central control point inside the enterprise LAN that provides wireless session management to the cluster of small cell radio nodes - the only way to scale mobile broadband deployments inside the enterprise.

The SmartCloud E-RAN system architecture consists of two solution elements:

• SmartCloud Services Node (SCSN)
• SmartCloud Radio Node (SCRN)

The SCSN is the central control point of the overall cluster of SmartCloud Radio Nodes (SCRN) deployed throughout the enterprise. The SCSN is a gateway appliance deployed directly inside the enterprise LAN that provides overall traffic aggregation and session management for all mobile sessions delivered through the SCRN radio nodes. In this context, the SCSN is analogous to the Enterprise Wi-Fi Switch where all radio node management functions are provided through a central control point.

The SCRN is a purpose-built small radius, high user capacity radio node. It has been custom developed by SpiderCloud Wireless through precision re-engineering of physical layer and media access control (PHY/MAC) characteristics in order to support increased user counts via a single node.

Unlike traditional small cell radio nodes, the SCRN supports a multi-radio architecture that allows for a flexible upgrade path to higher user counts as well as the ability to support different radio access technology combinations on a single node. This design allows the SCRN to provide access layer support in the delivery of universal wireless session management capabilities of the E-RAN solution.

In addition, the SCRN is a software-defined radio node designed for easy installation using enterprise-friendly features such as Power-over-Ethernet.

Ultimately, the E-RAN solution allows the creation of a unified mobile corporate network that integrates mobile workers distributed throughout the overall enterprise domain with centrally located corporate assets.

The E-RAN Architecture Provides Centralized RF & Mobility Management Control

Through the E-RAN architecture, RF management functions such as auto-configuration and self-tuning are executed centrally instead of in a peer-to-peer ad hoc manner. The SCSN is in a unique position to have universal knowledge of the RF propagation characteristics of the overall cluster of SCRN radio nodes deployed throughout the entire corporate campus. As a result, it can make dynamic RF tuning and optimization decisions based on the performance characteristics of the overall system.

Similarly, mobility management functions such as inter-radio node Soft-Handover are finally made possible through the E-RAN centralized Services Node architecture. Unlike existing indoor solutions, the E-RAN system has been designed to support Soft-Handover from the start. With E-RAN, the SCSN provides central management and coordination of each Soft-Handover mobility event between radio nodes. Through such centralized architecture, Soft-Handover events are most efficiently controlled, optimized, and anchored by the SCSN.

Native Architectural Support for Corporate Intranet and IP-PBX Integration

The E-RAN represents a mobile broadband service delivery platform that is tightly integrated within the corporate network infrastructure. As a result, the SCSN is in a unique and privileged network position inside the enterprise LAN to provide native and direct integration between corporate assets and mobile devices through any radio access technology combination.

For example, the SCSN allows mobile devices to become virtual IP-PBX extensions inside the enterprise premise. The SCSN serves as IP-PBX extension proxies for all mobile devices associated with it through direct signaling interactions with the IP-PBX. More importantly, the SCSN provides built-in media processing capabilities. This means ‘on-net’ calls are anchored locally at the SCSN instead of backhauled to the MSC.

In addition, the SCSN provides direct integration between mobile devices and corporate intranet for data applications and services. This means mobile devices can have direct and secure access to corporate data applications without requiring the sessions to traverse back to the mobile core network. The SCSN represents a local decision and breakout point for offloading corporate intranet-bound traffic directly inside the enterprise.

For the mobile operators, this means reduced backhaul requirements, improved performance, reduced processing load on packet core network elements, and lower operational expenses.