This page compares CPRI vs eCPRI and describes difference between CPRI vs eCPRI. The interface CPRI is used in legacy systems where as eCPRI is used in 5G wireless technology.
Introduction:
? CPRI defines key interface specification between REC (Radio
Equipment Control) and RE (Radio Equipment) of radio base stations used for
cellular wireless networks. CPRI is the short form of Common Public Radio
Interface. CPRI is popular standard for transporting baseband I/Q signals to
the radio unit in traditional BS (Base Station). CPRI allows efficient and
flexible I/Q data interface for various standards e.g. GSM, WCDMA, LTE
etc.
? eCPRI is published after CPRI. eCPRI standard
defines specification which connects eREC and eRE via fronthaul transport
network. It is used for 5G systems, LTE-Advanced and LTE-Advanced Pro.
Purpose of development of CPRI and eCPRI
is described as follows.
Radio BSs should offer flexibility during deployment to MNOs( mobile network
operators). This is achieved by simplifying BS architecture by dividing radio
BS functionality into two modules viz. eREC and eRE. Both parts may be
physically separated where in eRE is kept close to RF antenna where as eREC
kept at a distant end. Both are connected via a transport network. The eREC
contains part of PHY layer functions and upper layer functions of the air
interface where as eRE contains the other part of the PHY layer functions and
the analog radio frequency (ARF) functions. The different functions can be
located either in the eREC or in the eRE.
The figure-1 above depicts CPRI system and Interface definition.
?It is point to point interface.
?Master and slave ports are
directly connected with the help of optical or electrical cables in CPRI.
?Networking layer functions are not
supported by CPRI.
?The topologies in CPRI depend on
REC /RE functions.
?Following logical connections are
supported in CPRI.
? Point to Point (One REC with one RE)
? Point to Multi-Point (One REC with several REs)
?Redundancy, Security, QoS etc.
functions are supported by REC/RE.