On network processor based protocol stack implementation for 4G base stations

Abstract

This paper deals with the implementation of protocol handling in radio link control and medium access control layers using network processing elements, where the focus is on 4G wireless system parameters. We describe the software design and implementation for the Intel IXP2350 processor as an example and provide implementation results. Results are given in terms of feasible and achieved throughput, processor element utilization, thread execution times and memory bus utilization. For the protocol functionality we use the LTE (Advanced) draft standard as a guideline. The software design criteria and consequential implementation choices (such as number of threads and memory access budgets) are easily adaptable to other network processors and similar wireless standards.