Design considerations for software-defined wireless networking in heterogeneous cloud radio access networks

Abstract

The fifth generation (5G) cellular infrastructure is envisaged as a dense and heterogeneous deployment of small cells overlapping with existing macrocells in the Radio Access Network (RAN). Densification and heterogeneity, however, pose new challenges such as dealing with interference, accommodating massive signaling traffic, and managing increased energy consumption. Heterogeneous Cloud Radio Access Networks (H-CRAN) emerges as a candidate architecture for a sustainable deployment of 5G. In addition, the application of SDN concepts to wireless environments motivated recent research in the so-called Software-Defined Wireless Networking (SDWN). In this article, we discuss how SDWN can support the development of a flexible, programmable, and sustainable infrastructure for 5G. We also present a case study based on SDWN to perform frequency assignment, interference, and handover control in an H-CRAN environment. Results allow the establishment of a tradeoff between wireless communication capacity gains and signaling overhead added by the employment of SDWN concepts to H-CRAN.

Flying to the Clouds: The Evolution of the 5G Radio Access Networks

“…Consequently, the signal reception quality and the physical layer security at receivers are improved (Wang et al 2016). H-CRANs, as well as HetNets, present different types of small cells in their architecture, which are spread along a macro cell coverage area (Marotta et al 2017).…”

Model of dynamics of the grouping states of radio electronic means in the problems of ensuring electromagnetic compatibility

“…So, in works [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] new analytical approaches are considered in the relations of modernization of frequency assignment methods in wireless and mobile communication systems from the point of view of EMC assessment.…”

“…In [4], a fifth-generation (5G) style infrastructure is considered, which is presented in the form of dense and heterogeneous deployment of small cells of cells overlapping with existing macroelements of the Radio Access Network (RAN). Research based on the SDWN Software-Defined Wireless Networking technology for performing frequency assignment, interference, and handover control in a heterogeneous cloud radio access network (H-CRAN -Heterogeneous Cloud Radio Access Networks), which act as Candidate Architecture for 5G Sustainable Deployment.…”

Two-Level Allocation for H-CRAN Architecture Based in Offloading

“…To connect to the network, each user must achieve a minimum QoS, first established by the flow rate of 200 kbps. Given the bit rate value that the user has achieved in a given channel equation (6), to achieve the established QoS, this user will need N channels, established in equations (7) and (8).…”

“…As a result, H-CRAN was recognized as a promising network architecture to 5G networks and has gained much attention by the industry and the academics. In spite of all that, there is a series of challenges to be faced inside H-CRAN, including optimized allocation on the restricted frontier, energy consumption, the development of prior versions compatible patterns, high call blocking events and quality of services (QoS) and so on [7].…”