Edge Caching and Computing in 5G for Mobile AR/VR and Tactile Internet

Abstract

As a result of increasing popularity of augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) applications, there are significant efforts to bring AR/VR to mobile users. Parallel to the advances in AR/VR technologies, tactile internet is gaining interest from the research community. Both AR/VR and tactile internet applications require massive computational capability, high communication bandwidth, and ultra-low latency that cannot be provided with the current wireless mobile networks. By 2020, long term evolution (LTE) networks will start to be replaced by fifth generation (5G) networks. Edge caching and mobile edge computing are among the potential 5G technologies that bring content and computing resources close to the users, reducing latency and load on the backhaul. The aim of this survey is to present current state-of-the-art research on edge caching and computing with a focus on AR/VR applications and tactile internet and to discuss applications, opportunities and challenges in this emerging field.