FSO-Based Vertical Backhaul/Fronthaul Framework for 5G+ Wireless Networks

Mohamed Alzenad, Muhammad Z. Shakir, Halim Yanikomeroglu, Mohamed Slim Alouini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

409 Scopus citations

Abstract

The presence of a super high rate, but also cost-efficient, easy-to-deploy, and scalable, backhaul/ fronthaul framework, is essential in the upcoming 5G wireless networks and beyond. Motivated by the mounting interest in unmanned flying platforms of various types, including UAVs, drones, balloons, and HAPs/MAPs/LAPs, which we refer to as networked flying platforms (NFPs), for providing communications services, and by the recent advances in free space optics (FSO), this article investigates the feasibility of a novel vertical backhaul/fronthaul framework where the NFPs transport the backhaul/fronthaul traffic between the access and core networks via pointto- point FSO links. The performance of the proposed innovative approach is investigated under different weather conditions and a broad range of system parameters. Simulation results demonstrate that the FSO-based vertical backhaul/ fronthaul framework can offer data rates higher than the baseline alternatives, and thus can be considered a promising solution to the emerging backhaul/fronthaul requirements of the 5G+ wireless networks, particularly in the presence of ultra-dense heterogeneous small cells. This article also presents the challenges that accompany such a novel framework and provides some key ideas toward overcoming these challenges.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number8255764
Pages (from-to)218-224
Number of pages7
JournalIEEE Communications Magazine
Volume56
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 1979-2012 IEEE.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Computer Science Applications

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