Slicing 5G fronthaul networks using programmable switches

Slicing is a critical technology in 5G, as it allows operators to slice a physical network into multiple virtual networks, each dedicated to a different use case/Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) [2]. Network slicing enables network operators to deploy a tailored set of resources for specific use cases or MVNO. For example, high performance reliable hardware is required only for ultra-reliable low-latency (uRLLC) use cases such as autonomous vehicle networks. Such tailoring of services reduces costs for network operators. Further, 5G systems can now be deployed more quickly due to virtualization provided by slicing, thereby enabling faster time-to-market. To this end, there exists a large body of work that introduces slicing in different parts of the cellular network (see Fig. 1). PRAN [12] and FlexRAN [13] provide slicing in the Radio Access Network (RAN) while Orion [14] provides slicing for the frontend (wireless spectrum). The fronthaul connects the frontend base station to the RAN and carries digitized radio signals between the two parts of the cellular network. However, to the best of our knowledge, there exists no work on slicing in the fronthaul. This severely limits the benefits of slicing in the RAN and the frontend (see §1.1).