Dimensioning of OTN/WDM rings for the transport of ethernet/CPRI flows in 5G scenario

In this paper we propose and investigate an OTN/WDM network architecture for the transport of Ethernet/CPRI flows in 5G scenario. The proposed solution allows for a dynamic bandwidth resource allocation dependent on the current traffic. The network is composed by OTN/WDM rings interconnecting Access Switches and interconnected to an OTN/WDM Hub. We introduce an analytical model for the dimensioning of wavelengths of the optical rings. We show how the proposed solution allows for a high saving of wavelengths with respect to a static solution in which the network is dimensioned in maximum load conditions that is in the case in which the radio stations are working at full load. The saving can be in the order of 70% in a typical 5G traffic scenario.