Sustainable Communication Technologies for the 2020s: Fifth Generation (5G) and Beyond

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Next-generation telecommunication networks, envisioned under the 5G umbrella and beyond, are expected to create a paradigm shift over current LTE/LTE-A systems by supporting at least a 1000-fold increase in data traffic, driven by a diverse set of new applications. The emerging Internet-of-Things (IoT), which promises to connect people to almost anything remotely, is expected to play a major role in this increase. In supporting these requirements, sustainability will become a critical concern, as the energy consumed by the communications sector already leaves a significant carbon footprint. ******We propose to develop sustainable communication technologies for the 2020s by leveraging 5G technology enablers, such as massive-MIMO, full-duplex, millimeter-wave, cognitive and energy-harvesting radio, under a cloud-based radio access network (C-RAN) architecture with software-defined network capabilities. The motivation is to interconnect 5G technologies with cloud computing and smart grid functionalities in order to meet the service requirements of 5G and beyond. Although these technologies are very promising, their operation in unison poses many unexplored challenges from the sustainability perspective, namely flexibility, cross-compatibility, energy-efficiency, and system complexity.******This research program will make fundamental contributions to the design of sustainable technologies for 5G and beyond, by developing novel architectural enhancements, network protocols, analytical models, and optimization techniques. A sustainable hybrid C-RAN architecture with smart energy management and cooperation techniques will be designed, incorporating suitable energy-efficient resource allocation strategies and spectrum management techniques. Appropriate duplex modes, signal waveforms, and multiple access schemes will also be developed to address flexibility concerns. The sustainability concerns posed by 5G and beyond will thereby be directly addressed.******The novelty of this research program lies in its focus on developing long-term sustainable communication technologies. Its outcome will have a significant impact on the future of the telecommunications industry by supporting the service expectations of 5G systems and beyond, while minimizing their global carbon footprint. The research program will also provide an invaluable training opportunity for graduate students in cutting-edge communications technologies.***********