Enabling SFN Transmissions in 5G CloudRAN 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 CloudRAN 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.

Architectural and Cost Implications of the 5G Edge NFV Systems The recent issued 5G standard promises a comprehensive service provisioning for diverse user demands. The new challenges posed by 5G (e.g. the ultralow latency communication) urge the functionality deployment to offload from network core to edge. Besides, the various requirements of QoS guarantee cast by fastvarying services make the Network Function Virtualization (NFV) an essential enabler of edge network evolution. To date, the performance challenges at the newly created NFVenabled virtual network edge are still unexplored. In this paper, we investigate the converged virtual Radio Access Network (RAN) and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) in 5G era. We first outline the solo virtual RAN performance. We then characterize the collocate workloads (RAN and MEC, RAN and RAN) on the commercial offtheshelf (COTS) edge platform. Finally, we provide brief cost comparison between traditional RAN and virtual RAN. The implications of the virtual RAN system will benefit future edge NFV design.