Toward Energy-Efficient and Ultra-Low Latency Wireless Networks: 5G and Beyond

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Toward Energy-Efficient and Ultra-Low Latency Wireless Networks: 5G and Beyond******The research program of the applicant is in the areas of wireless communications and networking.******In recent years, wireless service providers have deployed Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems to facilitate mobile users in using their smartphones or tablets to connect to the Internet, access social networks, and launch different types of real-time and streaming multimedia applications. With the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications, the next generation of wireless networks, namely the fifth generation (5G) networks, aim to not only provide a higher data rate to the existing mobile users, but also to support the connection of potential billions of IoT devices to the Internet.******Machine-type communications (MTC) is an important enabler of IoT. The International Telecommunications Union classifies MTC into two categories: massive MTC (mMTC) and ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC). mMTC is characterized by high connection density; i.e., a massive number of active low-cost and low-power MTC devices co-exist per cell. Sensor networks and wearables are examples of mMTC. URLLC requires reliable data transmissions with strict latency constraint of 10 milliseconds or less. URLLC is required for applications such as e-health and autonomous driving. To meet these challenging requirements, a true revolution of technologies in the radio access network and core network is needed. ******In this research program, the long-term objective is to support IoT applications with diverse delay and throughput requirements, and to improve the spectral and energy efficiencies of the emerging 5G wireless networks in a scalable manner. Within the five-year time frame, we will focus on the following inter-related short-term objectives: (a) to develop radio access network and core network architecture, incorporating software-defined networking (SDN), mobile edge computing, and dynamic network slicing, to improve the spectral efficiency and flexibility of 5G networks to support different types of devices (e.g., smartphones, MTC devices) and IoT applications; (b) to develop energy-efficient medium access control algorithms for mMTC devices, based on non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), to improve the scalability and connection density within a coverage area; and (c) to develop application-aware scheduling algorithms for URLCC devices, based on SDN, carrier aggregation, and NOMA, to support IoT applications with high reliability and ultra-low delay requirements.******We anticipate that our research will find practical novel solutions and applications for the benefit of the local and the global telecommunications industry for 5G systems and beyond. They are expected to have a lasting impact in contributing towards the long-term competitiveness of Canada's technological innovation.