REVISITING SESAME ARCHITECTURE FOR 5G NETWORKS.

SESAME proposes the Cloud-Enabled Small Cell (CESC) concept, a new multi-operator enabled Small Cell that integrates a virtualized execution platform for deploying Virtual Network Functions (NVFs), supporting powerful self-x management and executing novel applications and services inside the access network infrastructure. A dedicated architecture has been proposed for that purpose. In this paper, we take into account recent research challenges in order to discuss the latest innovations, as well as the updates of the corresponding architecture. Such updates include the SC-Common VNF as fun-in/fun-out module, the progress in SESAME Small Cell functional splits, and the placement of "Self-x" features and wireless backhauling. Furthermore, to promote future improvements, we analyze the functional description of the related architectural components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]