Energy Consumption in Next Generation Radio Access Networks

2026-05-12

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenge of excessive energy consumption in high-density wireless radio access networks (RANs) by proposing a transaction-level energy consumption model that, for the first time, incorporates the architectural characteristics of O-RAN to quantify the processing and transmission energy costs of baseband processing (BBP) under various deployment configurations. By integrating open interfaces and conducting energy-efficiency simulations in multi-vendor environments, the research demonstrates that processing energy dominates total energy consumption and that BBP deployment strategies significantly influence overall system energy efficiency. These findings provide critical theoretical foundations and actionable optimization directions for designing next-generation RANs that are green, flexible, and sustainable.

Abstract

The radio access network (RAN) accounts for the largest share of energy consumption in mobile networks, making it essential to understand how and where this energy is used, particularly as future networks move toward higher levels of densification. Open radio access networks (O-RAN) have emerged as a promising approach to support this evolution through open interfaces that enable a multivendor environment, support for hierarchical intelligent controls, and simplified, cost-effective radio units that facilitate large-scale deployments. This paper examines the energy consumption in next-generation RAN architectures through transaction-based energy models. The model captures both processing and transmission energy components and evaluates how energy use varies with the placement of baseband processing (BBP) across network nodes and with different levels of network densification. Results indicate that processing energy dominates total consumption and that the location of BBP strongly influences overall energy efficiency. These insights can inform the design of future RAN deployments that balance flexibility, cost, and sustainability.

Problem

• Energy Consumption
• Radio Access Network
• Network Densification
• Baseband Processing
• O-RAN

Innovation

• transaction-based energy model
• baseband processing placement
• network densification
• O-RAN
• energy efficiency