Chapter 3 - HetNet/M2M/D2D communication in 5G technologies

Abstract

In today’s era of connected intelligent systems, 5G is the key technology enabler toward achieving high-data rate/enhanced Mobile Broad-band (eMBB), ultrareliable low latency communication (URLLC), and massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC) for enhancing the legacy data network. 5G-enabled heterogenous networks (HetNets) are necessary for modern-day communication for several game changing applications like Internet of Things (IoT), Device-to-Device (D2D), and Machine to Machine (M2M) communication. These applications have tremendous business potential to have a significant impact on the socioeconomical strata of modern world. However, the heterogeneity in several fronts of technologies to deploy such 5G HetNet based systems are considered to be an opportunity, while having challenges associated with it. Heterogeneity in network, protocol, communication standards, and even cross-platform operations has some functional advantage of modularity in 5G HetNet implementation. HetNets with functional modularity are best harnessed by scenario-specific system requirement. 5G-HetNets fronthaul is an agile Heterogenous-Cloud-Radio Access Network (H-CRAN) using technologies like Software Defined Network (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization, and at the same time a Time Wavelength Division Multiplexing-Passive Optical Network (TWDM-PON) backhaul network to provide ultrahigh data-rate/bandwidth to 5G HetNets as traffic aggregation is needed from large numbers of mMTC devices. M2M and D2D frameworks provide communication between mMTC devices for various IoT applications. Smart home/city/grid, industrial automation and the healthcare sector to name a few. In 2012, OneM2M was the new de-facto standard by a consortium of ICT standards development organization to create one platform compatible with all to provide interoperability to HetNets. In 2016, OneM2M standard was adapted by 3GPP (R-13) and several amendments in 3GPP R-15/16 toward 5G support for M2M and HetNets.