Small Cell Forum (SCF) last week published a set of new specifications for 5G Functional API to enable 5G RAN/small cell vendor ecosystem and accelerate deployments.
Expanding upon the 5G Physical Layer API specification, published in July 2019, the new specifications enable small cells to be constructed piece-by-piece using components from different vendors, in order to address the diverse mixture of 5G use cases relatively easily, a common goal to all of the specifications made by Small Cell Forum.
The new release also includes two completely new specifications, SCF223: 5G NR FAPI P19 FrontEnd Interface Specification and SCF224: Network Monitor Mode API for Small Cells.
The suite of 5G FAPI documents was made possible by an extended collaboration of some of the small cell industry’s leading companies, including: Intel, Qualcomm Technologies, Picocom, ip.access and Cisco.
Samel Clebi, Principal Engineer, Qualcomm Technologies
The RF and Digital FrontEnd control APIs serve as companion documents to the 5G PHY API specification. These documents define the messaging protocols that allow the upper stack to tightly control and configure the RF, the Digital Front End (DFE) and the Analog Beamforming units – which is crucial in meeting 5GNR’s stringent timing requirements.
Vicky Messer, Director of Product Management, Picocom
The Network Monitor Mode (NMM) API specification is the third document of the 5G FAPI suite, and adds 5G to the existing 4G, 3G and 2G radio environment monitoring capability.
