A novel end-to-end transport network solution is proposed to meet the operational and technical challenges of heterogeneous networks built as C-RANs with centralized base band processing and CPRI links. The flexibility of the proposed architecture to support distributed architectures and Ethernet links is also described and the results of a C-RAN proof of concept demonstration are discussed. Substantiated by the evolution of key optical technologies, including a novel WDM-PON based solution, we conclude that backhaul and metro network strategies need to flexibly support both centralized and distributed radio baseband solutions, as well as being multiservice capable. Additionally, as a complement to fiber, we propose use of the 70/80 GHz frequency band (E-band) to provide high performance microwave links for both centralized and distributed architectures. Keywords-Centralized baseband, WDM-PON, 70/80GHz Eband microwave, CPRI, C-RAN, Heterogenous networkI.

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A single frequency-periodic narrow filter converts DPSK to intensity modulation in a high number of WDM channels. It also strongly enhances their tolerance to chromatic dispersion and is exploited in a 16Â 10 Gbit=s transmission over 240 km G.652 fibre with no chromatic dispersion compensation.

Analogue Radio over Fibre together with subcarrier multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing is proven to be more cost-efficient when compared to CPRI fronthaul solutions. Furthermore, the results of the allocation of RF channels to better exploit the available modulation bandwidth of commercial transceivers show that the uniformly spaced channel plan is bandwidth efficient but susceptible to interference. The ITU-T G.692 plan results in much higher tolerance to interference but it is more bandwidth consuming. Finally, the proposed 'mind the gap' RF channel plan shows an acceptable compromise between bandwidth consumption and robustness against intermodulation interference.