5G O-RU Digital Front Solution (DFE) Solution from Xilinx

Author 5G, 5G NR, New Radio, Open RAN, Tech Fundas

Digital Front Solution (DEF)

In our last post, we discussed the the reference architecture for O-RAN Radio Unit (O-RU) and introduce the different subsystem e.g Synch and Fronthaul Transport, Lower PHY,  Digital Front End (DFE) and RF Front End (RF FE).

Recently, Xilinx announced the new Zynq® RFSoC DFE, combining hardened digital front end (DFE) blocks with adaptive logic for mass radio deployment. The solution addresses a broad array of 5G NR use cases ranging across 5G low, mid, and high band spectrums, as well as a breadth of other RF applications including phased array radar and communications test equipment.

By integrating more hardened IP than soft logic, Zynq RFSoC DFE is a new class of adaptive radio platforms offering the best balance of technologies – the cost economies of an ASIC using hardened blocks with the flexibility, scalability, and time-to-market advantages of a programmable and adaptive SoC.

Built on the only production-proven, adaptive single-chip radio platforms that integrate the entire signal chain from RF to baseband, Zynq RFSoC DFE represents a new class of devices that integrates hardened DFE IP along with
Xilinx’s proven Programmable Logic. Zynq RFSoC DFE offers the best balance of technologies – the cost economies of an ASIC using hardened blocks with the flexibility, scalability and time-to-market benefits of a programmable and
adaptive SoC.

 Zynq® Solution Highlight

  • Fully Hardened Radio Subsystem for 5G NR Performance and Power
    • Validated 3GPP Standards compliant radio cores
    • Half the power of Zynq RFSoC Gen 3 for typical radio applications
    • Up to 7.125GHz RF bandwidth
    • Industry’s only 400MHz iBW for 8T8R
    • Supports both FR1 and FR2 radio DFE with flexible and scalable DFE
    • Flexibility to enhance hardened IP with adaptive logic
  • Multi-Band, Multi-Mode Operation for Flexibility and Scalability
    • Up to 8 component carrier per-antenna path (8T8R FDD/TDD)
    • 400MHz iBW support enables RAN sharing (e.g., MORAN)
    • Ability to support multi-mode, multi-band radios with a single device
  • Complete Adaptive SoC for Fully Software-Defined Radio
    • Based on the proven 16nm UltraScale™ architecture
    • Arm® processing subsystem for DFE configuration and control
    • Adaptive logic for differentiation and future market requirements
    • 32G transceivers with RS-FEC for CPRI, eCPRI, and ORAN FH interfaces
    • 100G Ethernet integrated cores

 Zynq® Solution Features

Zynq RFSoC DFE integrates much of the DFE and RF processing required by both 4G and 5G NR

  • Direct RF Data Converters
    • 8x 10GSPS DACs | 8x 2.95GSPS ADCs and 2x 5.9GSPS ADCs
    • Direct RF support for all FR1 bands, optimal IF for mmWave FR2 bands
    • Up to 7.125GHz RF bandwidth
    • Integrated mixer, NCO, interpolation & decimation for digital frequency conversion
  • RF Signal Processing
    • Specialist signal processing including resampling and equalization
  • Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD)
    • Supports up to 400MHz iBW and the latest RF power amplifier technologies
    • Reduced weight and thermal management complexity in the radio
    • Based on production-proven Xilinx IP
  • Crest Factor Reduction (CFR)
    • Supports up to 400MHz instantaneous bandwidth (iBW)
    • Based on production-proven Xilinx IP
  • Digital Up-Conversion (DUC) and Digital Down-Conversion (DDC)
    • Support for up to 8 component carriers (CCs)
    • Supports a wide range of carrier bandwidths and 400MHz iBW
  • Channel Filtering
    • Support for up to 8 component carriers (CCs)
    • Supports a wide range of carrier bandwidths for 4G and 5G NR

 Zynq® Solution Application 

  • 5G New Radio (5G NR)
    • Massive MIMO Macro Cell
    • Multi-Mode (4G/5G) Macro Cell
    • Fixed Wireless Access
    • Small Cell Nodes
  • Aerospace & Defense
    • 5G for Government / Private Spectrum
    • Digital Phased Array Radar
    • Military communication and Satellite communication Modems
    • Data Links
    • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (e.g., GPS Anti-Jam)
  • Test & Measurement
    • Portable Test Equipment
    • UE Emulation / RF Testers

Source:

Related Post: