Future 5G Mobile Networks Research Articles

The evolution of wireless mobile networks and the future 5G mobile technology for sustainability.

In this paper, our study focused on the framework of big data-driven and mobile optimization. We will study the significant points of 5G and previous mobile networks, and mostly we have a look at past mobile technologies. After that, we will focus on the future 5G Mobile Technology. We will make an essential reference to the architecture of the 5G Mobile Network. We will see the two OSI levels (network level and Internet Protocol (IP)). The purpose of IP is to ensure adequate control data (in IP header) for proper routing of IP packets belonging to specific application connections or sessions between client and server applications somewhere on the Internet. Also, we mention the primary points of 5G. The device-based architectures, the millimeter-wave, the massive multiple inputs - multiple outputs, the smarter devices, and the manual support for machine-to-machine communication.Finally, in this paper, we will see how much faster will be the future 5G mobile network and services can support. Those services, including experience at speeds of at least 1 Gbps or higher, 10 Gbps data transfer, zero secondary switches, enormous capacity, and reduce power consumption, are the areas of 5G network we see in this study.

Multiband Handset Antenna System for UMTS/LTE/WLAN/Sub-6 5G and mmWave 5G Future Smartphones

In this paper, a new antenna system for rapidly emerging multifunction devices is presented. The proposed antenna system consists of four antenna components each one operating at different frequency bands separately. The designed antennas are isolated and integrated on a single substrate. The first antenna is designed to operate at 1920–2170 MHz covering the UMTS band, whereas the second antenna is proposed for the lower band 5G systems and WiMAX operating within the frequency range of 3.4–4.2 GHz. Furthermore, another antenna is designed to cover the higher band 5G system and the IEEE 820.11a WLAN within the frequency range of 5.1–5.85 GHz. Finally, a 28 GHz bowtie-based MIMO antenna array is designed and simulated for the mmWave future 5G mobile networks. The proposed antennas were designed and simulated by using CST microwave studio. The results showed that all of the proposed antennas exhibited excellent reflection characteristics below −20 dB at the resonant frequency and achieved high radiation efficiency reached 99% in some cases with a peak gain ranging between 4–6 dBi. The proposed antenna system helps smartphones to perform multitasks and achieve a better-quality operation especially with the enormous growth of IoT techniques.

ONU migration using network coding technique in Virtual Multi-OLT PON Architecture

Rapid bandwidth expansion necessitates large-scale, high-density access situations, in which a clustered deployment of numerous passive optical network (PON) systems may be used to meet the massive bandwidth needs, particularly for a future 5G mobile network. Multiple optical line terminals (OLTs) based PON is a promising candidate to meet these future demands. However, some of the available bandwidth is wasted because of the absence of collaboration among various OLTs. By applying the concept of network coding methods into OLTs and ONUs, this paper proposes an efficient virtual multi-OLT PON (VM-PON) network architecture for the metro access scenario to improve bandwidth efficiency. This is achieved by using a network coding method that simultaneously transfers two heavily loaded ONUs between the OLTs. By implementing an efficient ONU transfer algorithm, load balancing is also managed in VM-PON among all the OLTs. To improve the network performance and reduce latency, optical network units (ONUs) in the VM-PON may dynamically regroup with various OLTs. The comparative simulation results demonstrate that the proposed VM-PON work achieved 37% throughput greater than traditional TDM-PON with a lower frame loss ratio and lower upstream delay and jitter.

Factors Affecting 5G Network Architecture with Integration of Higher-Level Protocol Using Radio Access Technology

In this study, we suggest a revolutionary network architectural design strategy for future 5G mobile networks, which we believe would be beneficial. The proposed design is based on a mobile environment that is centered on the user and incorporates a range of wireless and mobile technologies to achieve this. Because it is impossible to make changes to any wireless technology, new or old, in a heterogeneous wireless environment, each solution for next-generation mobile and wireless networks should be implemented in the service stratum, whereas radio access technologies should be implemented in the transport stratum in the Next-Generation Networks approach. The user terminal in the proposed design has the option of altering the Radio Access Technology - RAT based on the parameters that have been supplied. This paper introduces the Policy-Router, which is a node in the core network that constructs IP tunnels to the mobile terminal across many available RATs to the terminal, while enabling the mobile terminal to change RATs in an unobtrusive manner. After learning about the RAT via the mobile terminal's performance measurements, the mobile terminal selects the RAT by executing a multi-criteria decision-making process using the specified user agent. In this paper, we describe the QoSPRO methodology, which allows control information to be shared between the mobile terminal and the Policy Router throughout the performance evaluation procedure.

5G New Radio Prototype Implementation Based on SDR

The fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) has been developed to provide significant improvements in scalability, flexibility, and efficiency in terms of power usage and spectrum as well. To meet the 5G vision, service and performance requirements, various candidate technologies have been proposed in 5G new radio; some are extensions of 4G and, some are developed explicitly for 5G. These candidate technologies include non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA), and Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) channel coding. In addition, deploying software defined radio (SDR) instead of traditional hardware modules. In this paper we build an open source SDR-based platform to realize the transceiver of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of 5G NR according to Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard. We provide a prototype for pairing between two 5G users using NOMA technique. In addition, a suitable design for LDPC channel coding is performed. The intermediate stage of segmentation, rate matching and interleaving are also carried out in order to realize a standard NR frame. Finally, experiments are carried out in both simulation and real time scenario on the designed 5G NR for the purpose of system performance evaluation, and to demonstrate its potential in meeting future 5G mobile network challenges.

Resilient BBU placement in 5G C-RAN over optical aggregation networks

The huge data demand envisioned for the 5G requires radical changes in the mobile network architecture and technology. Centralized radio access network (C-RAN) is introduced as a novel mobile network architecture, designed to effectively support the challenging requirements of the future 5G mobile networks. In C-RAN, BaseBand Units (BBUs) are physically separated from their corresponding radio remote heads (RRHs) and located in a central single physical location called BBU pool. The RRHs are connected to the BBU pool via the so-called fronthaul network. The “centralization” demonstrates remarkable benefits in terms of computational resources as well as power savings. Following this centralization, designing a survivable C-RAN becomes crucial as BBU pool and link failures might cause service outage for large number of users. In this paper, we propose three different approaches for the survivable BBU pool placement problem and traffic routing in C-RAN deployment over a 5G optical aggregation network. Namely, we define the following protection scenarios: (1) dedicated path protection, (2) dedicated BBU protection and (3) dedicated BBU and path protection. The three approaches are formalized as integer linear programming (ILP) problems. The ILPs objectives are to minimize the number of BBU pools, the number of used wavelengths and the baseband processing computational resources, in terms of giga operations per second. We provide numerical results to compare the aforementioned protection strategies considering different network topologies. The results show the effect of the latency and the transport–network capacity on the BBU placement. We show the trade-off between the centralization degree and the tight latency requirements. Moreover, we discuss important insights about considering the different objective functions for each protection approach.

Multiplexing Gain and Processing Savings of 5G Radio-Access-Network Functional Splits

Centralized radio access network (C-RAN) is a promising mobile network architecture designed to support the requirements of future 5G mobile networks. In C-RAN, the “centralization” of baseband units enables substantial savings of computational resources (what we call “multiplexing gain” in this paper) and significant power savings. On the other hand, the deployment of C-RAN requires high capacity and imposes strict latency requirements on the fronthaul transport-network. To address these issues, various alternative architectures, known as “RAN functional splits,” have been introduced to relax these strict fronthaul requirements. In this paper, we perform a quantitative analysis of the computational savings and the resulting power savings enabled by C-RAN, considering different RAN functional splits. To this end, we analytically model RAN computational resources to evaluate the multiplexing gain for different RAN functional splits. This model allows to calculate the processing reduction occurring in each RAN functional split. We then use this model to estimate the power savings of the various functional splits, considering different assumptions in terms of geographical areas, users distribution and number of aggregated cell sites. We find that up to 28% computational resources savings and 24% power savings can be achieved through functional splits in comparison to distributed RAN.

Photonics-Assisted Beamforming for 5G Communications

In the last year, beamforming has become a hot research topic, due to the perspective of its massive deployment in the RF access segment of future 5G mobile networks. This letter is a review of some possible implementations reported in the literature of photonic integrated circuits for the realization of phase shift (PS)-based beamforming networks for radio frequency signals, suitable for future 5G communications. The results demonstrate the possibility of ultrafast beamsteering reconfiguration (~1 ns), large applied PS (>400°), stable operation at high carrier frequencies (tens of gigahertz) over a wide signal bandwidth (~ 6 GHz), and low power consumption (tens of milliwatts).

Beyond 4g Networks: A Theoretical Framework

Since evolution, the mobile technology has changed in many dimensions. Now the telecommunications has become the growth factor for the modern science & technology. To support this, mobile network infrastructures are being deployed at a all around the globe with a rapid pace, having the capabilities and bandwidth to deliver human requirements. Starting from the analog signals to digital signals and from first generation to the current fourth generation, the requirement of more is pushing the technology further. In this paper a framework for the future 5G mobile networks along with the technologies are discussed. The proposed framework uses most of the existing wireless and mobile technologies and is based on user-centric mobile environment.

Improving Cell Outage Management Through Data Analysis

Self-organizing networks (SONs) are an important feature for network management automation in the new generation of mobile communications. While SONs have been considered to be part of the recent 3GPP standards such as LTE, it is expected that future 5G mobile networks will present new challenges for SON solutions. One of the most important use cases in self-healing is cell outage compensation (COC). This article proposes an important improvement in COC functionality based on analyzing large real data sets from live networks in order to adapt compensation to the real neighboring context. First, we propose two methods (offline and online) to classify outages depending on the degraded metrics in neighboring cells, and we present results for a set of cell outages occurring in a live LTE network. Second, we propose a method for estimating lost traffic due to cell outages in order to quantify the load that cannot be intrinsically absorbed by neighboring cells. Finally, a novel COC methodology is proposed by taking into account the results obtained in the two previous studies.

Foud: Integrating Fog and Cloud for 5G-Enabled V2G Networks

V2G technology is considered a powerful approach enabling renewable energy sources to provide ancillary electrical services, and managing and monitoring power usage in the smart grid. However, owing to the inherent high mobility of EVs, flexible and timely on-demand response services against EV mobility in the V2G system must be provided. Promoted by the advantages of 5G communications, e.g., supporting various connectivity and faster transmission, fogs and clouds are enabled to provide realistic services, and fog computing and cloud computing assisted V2G systems in future 5G mobile networks are expected to be a new paradigm to create a new situation for V2G services. To this end, a fogbased and cloud-based hybrid computing model named "Foud" applied to V2G networks in 5G is proposed. The potential V2G network services provided by Foud are reviewed, and open issues and challenges for future work are also discussed with possible solutions.

Technology pillars in the architecture of future 5G mobile networks: NFV, MEC and SDN

This paper analyzes current standardization situation of 5G and the role network softwarization plays in order to address the challenges the new generation of mobile networks must face. This paper surveys recent documentation from the main stakeholders to pick out the use cases, scenarios and emerging vertical sectors that will be enabled by 5G technologies, and to identify future high-level service requirements. Driven by those service requirements 5G systems will support diverse radio access technology scenarios, meet end-to-end user experienced requirements and provide capability of flexible network deployment and efficient operations. Then, based on the identified requirements, the paper overviews the main 5G technology trends and design principles to address them. In particular, the paper emphasizes the role played by three main technologies, namely SDN, NFV and MEC, and analyzes the main open issues of these technologies in relation to 5G.

Efficient Media Streaming with Collaborative Terminals for the Smart City Environment

Among multiple services delivered over future mobile networks, the most demanding (from the required bandwidth point of view) are related to media streaming, which is a key component in smart applications (entertainment, tourism, surveillance, etc.). Such applications have to exploit a considerable amount of data, which is difficult to achieve especially in dense urban environments. In this context, the article presents a new solution for HTTP-compliant adaptive media streaming applicable to future 5G mobile networks, aimed at increasing bandwidth availability through the use of multiple radio access technologies and direct connections between devices if they are in proximity of each other. The proposed solution considers a scenario in which a high-quality media stream is received by multipath transmission through the radio access network. Collaboration of neighboring devices is exploited by using direct device-to-device links. Thus, proxy nodes can be inserted between a given media receiver and an access network. Toward ensuring optimized resource allocation at both levels, base station-to-device and device-to-device, this article introduces the architectural modules required for collaboration streaming inside the radio access network and end user's device, and proposes enhancements in HTTP-compliant adaptive streaming protocols in order to become suitable for a multipath collaborative scenario.

Bidirectional Fiber-Wireless Access Technology for 5G Mobile Spectral Aggregation and Cell Densification

Empowered by spectral aggregation and cell densification, future 5G mobile data networks pose a huge challenge to building next-generation mobile fronthaul systems with higher capacity, scalability, and energy efficiency. Under this circumstance, traditional solutions based on the Common Public Radio Interface or channel aggregation with digital signal processing (DSP) are not sufficient to support heterogeneous ubiquitous wireless access. In this paper, we demonstrate a point-to-multipoint bidirectional mobile fronthaul system. Wavelength division multiplexing plus frequency division multiplexing is applied to support independent asynchronous small cells. Intensity-modulation and direct-detection downlink (DL) as well as field-modulation and heterodyne-detection uplink (UL) are proposed. Combined with efficient virtual tone-based DSP for phase recovery and carrier-frequency-offset estimation, signal degradations from beating among incoherent asynchronous UL signals are mitigated. Proof-of-concept experiments are demonstrated where 20 and 16 80-MHz component carriers are transmitted over 25-km standard single-mode fiber for DL and UL, respectively. Less than 6% error vector magnitudes with 64-, 16-, and 4-ary quadrature amplitude modulation are obtained.

Millimetre-Wave Backhaul for 5G Networks: Challenges and Solutions.

The trend for dense deployment in future 5G mobile communication networks makes current wired backhaul infeasible owing to the high cost. Millimetre-wave (mm-wave) communication, a promising technique with the capability of providing a multi-gigabit transmission rate, offers a flexible and cost-effective candidate for 5G backhauling. By exploiting highly directional antennas, it becomes practical to cope with explosive traffic demands and to deal with interference problems. Several advancements in physical layer technology, such as hybrid beamforming and full duplexing, bring new challenges and opportunities for mm-wave backhaul. This article introduces a design framework for 5G mm-wave backhaul, including routing, spatial reuse scheduling and physical layer techniques. The associated optimization model, open problems and potential solutions are discussed to fully exploit the throughput gain of the backhaul network. Extensive simulations are conducted to verify the potential benefits of the proposed method for the 5G mm-wave backhaul design.

From network sharing to multi-tenancy: The 5G network slice broker

The ever-increasing traffic demand is pushing network operators to find new cost-efficient solutions toward the deployment of future 5G mobile networks. The network sharing paradigm was explored in the past and partially deployed. Nowadays, advanced mobile network multi-tenancy approaches are increasingly gaining momentum, paving the way toward further decreasing capital expenditure and operational expenditure (CAPEX/OPEX) costs, while enabling new business opportunities. This article provides an overview of the 3GPP standard evolution from network sharing principles, mechanisms, and architectures to future on-demand multi-tenant systems. In particular, it introduces the concept of the 5G Network Slice Broker in 5G systems, which enables mobile virtual network operators, over-the-top providers, and industry vertical market players to request and lease resources from infrastructure providers dynamically via signaling means. Finally, it reviews the latest standardization efforts, considering remaining open issues for enabling advanced network slicing solutions, taking into account the allocation of virtualized network functions based on ETSI NFV, the introduction of shared network functions, and flexible service chaining.

An open source SDR-based NOMA system for 5G networks

With the rapid advent of various new applications and services, the anticipated use of bandwidth and frequency resources is beyond expectation in future mobile networks. To maximize spectral efficiency, novel radio access techniques need to multiplex users in the most suitable combinations of frequency and radio resources. Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is one of the candidate radio access techniques for improving spectral efficiency in the 5G mobile network through multiplexing users in the power domain, which has never been explored in past and current communications systems. While the concept of NOMA was proposed several years ago, the performance of NOMA has only been verified in theory but not in practice. In this article, we first introduce the state of the art in open source SDR. Due to the high flexibility and reconfigurability of open source SDR, we choose general-purpose-processor-based SDR to implement our NOMA system, which is based on an open source LTE program. Over-the-air experiments are carried out on the designed NOMA system for the purpose of performance evaluation, and to demonstrate its potential in future 5G mobile networks.

A unified control and optimization framework for dynamical service chaining in software-defined NFV system

In software-defined radio and cognitive radio enabled future 5G mobile networks, and SDNNFV system will enable high flexibility in constructing service chaining, that is, steering flows through required service chains, thanks to the ability of dynamic service deployment and agile traffic routing. Given such flexibility, we need to carefully design the system to identify the optimal mechanism that maximizes both performance and resource utilization. To enable the SDN-NFV system to optimize the service chaining according to the user requirements and network environment, in this article, we propose a unified control and optimization framework that jointly controls and optimizes the resource allocation in networking and service provisioning. By modeling the network and services together and developing optimization techniques that jointly examine both, this framework benefits the overall system performance in various scenarios of traffic steering, VM selection, function assignment, and policy optimization. Furthermore, these achievable benefits are demonstrated by a typical example of simulation under a realistic scenario.

Efficient traffic grooming with dynamic ONU grouping for multiple-OLT-based access network

Fast bandwidth growth urges large-scale high-density access scenarios, where the multiple Passive Optical Networking (PON) system clustered deployment can be adopted as an appropriate solution to fulfill the huge bandwidth demands, especially for a future 5G mobile network. However, the lack of interaction between different optical line terminals (OLTs) results in part of the bandwidth resources waste. To increase the bandwidth efficiency, as well as reduce bandwidth pressure at the edge of a network, we propose a centralized flexible PON architecture based on Time- and Wavelength-Division Multiplexing PON (TWDM PON). It can provide flexible affiliation for optical network units (ONUs) and different OLTs to support access network traffic localization. Specifically, a dynamic ONU grouping algorithm (DGA) is provided to obtain the minimal OLT outbound traffic. Simulation results show that DGA obtains an average 25.23% traffic gain increment under different OLT numbers within a small ONU number situation, and the traffic gain will increase dramatically with the increment of the ONU number. As the DGA can be deployed easily as an application running above the centralized control plane, the proposed architecture can be helpful to improve the network efficiency for future traffic-intensive access scenarios.

Invited paper: The audacity of fiber-wireless (FiWi) networks: revisited for clouds and cloudlets

There is a growing awareness among industry players of reaping the benefits of mobile-cloud convergence by extending today's unmodified cloud to a decentralized two-level cloud-cloudlet architecture based on emerging mobile-edge computing (MEC) capabilities. In light of future 5G mobile networks moving toward decentralization based on cloudlets, intelligent base stations, and MEC, the inherent distributed processing and storage capabilities of radio-and-fiber (R&F) networks may be exploited for new applications, e.g., cognitive assistance, augmented reality, or cloud robotics. In this paper, we first revisit fiber-wireless (FiWi) networks in the context of conventional clouds and emerging cloudlets, thereby highlighting the limitations of conventional radio-overfiber (RoF) networks such as China Mobile's centralized cloud radio access network (C-RAN) to meet the aforementioned trends. Furthermore, we pay close attention to the specific design challenges of data center networks and revisit our switchless arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) based network with efficient support of east-west flows and enhanced scalability.