computer science

Radio access network

Radio access network is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Radio access network rather than just read about it. In short: A radio access network (RAN) is part of a mobile telecommunication system implementing a radio access technology (RAT). Conceptually, it resides between a device such as a mobile phone, a computer, or any remotely controlled machine and provides connection with its core network (CN).

Key takeaways

Radio access network belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Radio access network to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Radio access network from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

A radio access network (RAN) is part of a mobile telecommunication system implementing a radio access technology (RAT). Conceptually, it resides between a device such as a mobile phone, a computer, or any remotely controlled machine and provides connection with its core network (CN). Depending on the standard, mobile phones and other wireless connected devices are varyingly known as user equipment (UE), terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), etc. RAN functionality is typically provided by a silicon chip residing in both the core network as well as the user equipment. See the following diagram:

CN / ⧵ / ⧵ RAN RAN / ⧵ / ⧵ UE UE UE UE

Examples of RAN types are:

GRAN: GSM GERAN: essentially the same as GRAN but specifying the inclusion of EDGE packet radio services UTRAN: UMTS E-UTRAN: The Long Term Evolution (LTE) high speed and low latency It is also possible for a single handset/phone to be simultaneously connected to multiple RANs. Handsets capable of this are sometimes called dual-mode handsets. For instance it is common for handsets to support both GSM and UMTS (a.k.a. "3G") RATs. Such devices seamlessly transfer an ongoing call between different radio access networks without the user noticing any disruption in service.

RAN in the United States According to research company New Street, mobile providers T-Mobile US and AT&T use Swedish communication company Ericsson as their primary RAN provider, while Verizon primarily uses South Korean provider Samsung. Nokia is the minority vendor for all major US wireless providers. According to EJL Wireless Research, Verizon is also using Ericsson.

See also AirHop Communications IP connectivity access network C-RAN Open RAN Access network Base transceiver station Remote radio head

References

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Radio access network

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Radio access network claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Radio access network before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Radio access network ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Radio access network

In research: Radio access network appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Radio access network in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Radio access network is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Radio technology, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Radio access network outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Radio access network in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Radio access network means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Radio access network out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Radio access network in simple terms?

Why does Radio access network matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Radio access network?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Radio access network.