YateBTS software and the YateUCN core can be used together to build complete software-defined mobile networks.
YateBTS is a software implementation of the GSM/GPRS radio network. It runs on any Linux and uses a generic digital radio board, the Nuand BladeRF. The entire physical layer is implemented in software, which is different from the usual FPGA- or DSP-based radio design.
For the core network there’s YateUCN, the unified core network based on Yate. YateUCN is a Linux application that can run on commodity servers. It implements the functions of 2.5G and 4G core networks and is easy to integrate in existing mobile operator infrastructure. Like YateBTS, YateUCN replaces hardware routers and transcoders with pure software.
Together, YateBTS and YateUCN form complete software-defined mobile networks, networks that are affordable to build and operate, and networks that can support 2.5G, 4G or even both at the same time.
There are several advantages to the YateBTS+YateUCN approach:
- Upgradable – We can add new features, like EDGE, with software upgrades or even replace 2.5G GSM/GPRS with 4G LTE using the same hardware.
- Manageable – Because the entire system is Linux, we can monitor and manage every aspect of the software in a flexible way.
- Affordable – A pure software approach has much lower development costs and relies on commodity computing hardware.
- Flexible – The hardware is protocol-agnostic and can be reconfigured to support any mix of technologies.
- Scalable – The capacity of the core network can be increased just by adding more servers.
Compare this to a conventional mobile network, with its hardwired base stations in the field and big iron like the Cisco AR550 or an Ericsson Mobile Switching Center in the core. It’s all single-purpose equipment, expensive or impossible to upgrade, and all based on proprietary software and hardware with big licensing fees, special training and support requirements.