System and method for transporting digital radio signal streams in a small cell network environment

摘要

A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes receiving a radio signal stream, segmenting the radio signal stream based on a control word in the radio signal stream, mapping the segmented radio signal stream to a service class, transporting the segmented radio signal stream in packets through channels over a backhaul link, and maintaining the order of the radio signal stream over the backhaul link. In more particular embodiments, the backhaul link may use a DOCSIS link, the radio signal stream can be received using a Common Public Radio Interface, and the radio signal stream may include sub-streams transported through segmented channels over the backhaul link.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
segmenting a radio signal stream into multiple sub-streams based on a control word included in the radio signal stream, the control word identifying a type of the radio signal stream; transporting the segmented radio signal stream in packets through channels over a backhaul link, wherein each of the sub-streams is transported over a different one of the channels; and providing a single collective control channel along the backhaul link, the control channel related to all of the channels collectively for communicating channel bundling information for the radio signal stream between network elements disposed at opposite ends of the backhaul link, the channel bundling information for facilitating segmentation of the radio signal stream into the sub-streams on one end of the backhaul link and reassembly of the sub-streams into the radio signal stream on the opposite end of the backhaul link.