Analysis of strategies for progressive 5G emergency network deployment

Abstract

AbstractTemporary communication systems for emergency situations have traditionally been provided by a single communication technology. They are typically based on the 2G technologies for mobile radio that cannot meet the data rate requirements of contemporary applications. Emergency systems based on the 3GPP Long Term Evolution technology are presently under investigation, and interest in including new 5G concepts is increasing. The latter will enable employment of multiple heterogeneous communication systems such as fast deployable areal platforms, ad hoc portable terrestrial stations and satellite communications, all of which integrated with the preserved part of the existing wireless infrastructure. Such an integrated approach is studied and evaluated here, based on the simultaneous use of the remaining terrestrial systems and additional low‐altitude platforms. Simulations of the system were performed using the GRASS‐RaPlaT tool, augmented with the AMS‐DEMO tool for optimising a radio network configuration and based on a set of four criteria functions. Different scenarios are investigated for setting up the initial emergency network configuration that is primarily focused on providing the high coverage needed for emergency forces. This is followed by recovering the complete system with larger capacity and better quality of service. An application of 5G principles, such as carrier aggregation, has proved to be beneficial. The performance of the emergency network is evaluated in an actual geographic location of the city of Ljubljana and compared with the existing mobile network in this area. Based on the results, recommendations are given for the procedures needed to rebuild a mobile network after a disaster. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.