# From Centralized RAN to Open RAN: A Survey on the Evolution of Distributed Antenna Systems

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.12166 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.12166/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 19 Nov 2024.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Rogue Cell: Adversarial Attack and Defense in Untrusted O-RAN Setup Exploiting the Traffic Steering xApp](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.01816/) (2025)
- [AI-RAN on NPUs: Baseband Processing Without Baseband Chips](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.04224/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Next-generation mobile networks require evolved radio access network (RAN) architectures to meet the demands of high capacity, massive connectivity, reduced costs, and energy efficiency, and to realize communication with ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability. {Meeting such} requirements for both mobile users and vertical industries in the next decade {requires novel solutions. One of the potential solutions that attracted significant research attention in the past 15 years} is to redesign the radio access network (RAN). In this survey, we present a comprehensive survey on distributed antenna system (DAS) architectures that address these challenges and improve network performance. We cover the transition from traditional decentralized RAN to DAS, including cloud radio-access networks (C-RAN), fog radio-access networks (F-RAN), virtualized radio-access networks (V-RAN), cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (CF-mMIMO), and {the most recent advances manifested in} open radio-access network (O-RAN). In the process, we discuss the benefits and limitations of these architectures, including the impact of limited-capacity fronthaul links, various cooperative uplink and downlink coding strategies, cross-layer optimization, and techniques to optimize the performance of DAS. Moreover, we review key enabling technologies for next-generation RAN systems, such as multi-access edge computing, network function virtualization, software-defined networking, and network slicing; in addition to some crucial radio access technologies, such as millimeter wave, massive multi-input multi-output, device-to-device communication, and massive machine-type communication. Last but not least, we discuss the major research challenges in DAS and identify several possible directions for future research.