We’re pleased to announce the publication today of 5G FAPI 10th edition, the latest update of our flagship 5G FAPI suite. As ever, the latest edition contains a number of new elements, but it also marks a significant point in the broader development of the interface, and SCF’s commitment to advancing small cell and 5G technologies for an Open ecosystem.
Reflecting on reaching FAPI 10
Since its first publication, originally as a small cell interface, FAPI has grown from the first work in 2016 into a full 5G RAN MAC/PHY interface, working for implementations from small cells to macro, from D-RAN to C-RAN and V-RAN deployments. With new features added and expansion of the interface over 10 issues, it is a credit to the convening power of SCF members and our focus on practical and pragmatic actions that drive our industry forward.
Today the 5G FAPI suite comprises five papers: SCF222 PHY API Specification, SCF223 P19 RF and Digital Frontend Control API, SCF224 Network Monitor Mode API, SCF225 5G nFAPI and SCF229 FAPI Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) Protocol For Inline High-PHY, and aligns with 3GPP releases and Open RAN standards and efforts (O-RAN ALLIANCE and OAI etc). Their ultimate goal is to lower barrier to entry and foster a diverse and open ecosystem, as demonstrated by support from leading Open RAN L2/L3 software providers.
The suite has been contributed to by more than 15 organizations, most recently including Qualcomm (current Work Item Lead), RANSemi, Mavenir, Marvell, Meta, Reliance Jio and BT. It is a huge undertaking by our members and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported and contributed over the past nine years.
What’s New?
The 5G FAPI PHY API V10 update includes:
- RedCap / coverage extension, supporting the latest industry-adopted 3GPP release features
- Support for network energy savings, compliant with Open Fronthaul
- Support for hybrid beamforming, compliant with Open Fronthaul
- As well us usual maintenance and upgrades of the specification