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

在5G保护伞下及以后设想的下一代电信网络，预计将在一系列不同的新应用的推动下，通过支持至少1000倍的数据流量来实现对当前LTE/LTE-A系统的范式转变。新兴的物联网(IoT)承诺将人们与几乎任何东西远程连接，预计将在这一增长中发挥重要作用。在支持这些要求时，可持续性将成为一个关键问题，因为通信部门消耗的能源已经留下了巨大的碳足迹。*我们建议在具有软件定义网络能力的基于云的无线电接入网络(C-RAN)架构下，利用大规模MIMO、全双工、毫米波、认知和能量收集无线电等5G技术推动者，为2020年代开发可持续的通信技术。其动机是将5G技术与云计算和智能电网功能互联，以满足5G及更高的服务需求。尽管这些技术前景看好，但从可持续发展的角度来看，它们的运行带来了许多未知的挑战，即灵活性、交叉兼容性、能效和系统复杂性。*该研究计划将通过开发新的架构增强、网络协议、分析模型和优化技术，为5G及以后可持续技术的设计做出基础性贡献。将设计一种具有智能能源管理和协作技术的可持续混合C-RAN架构，将适当的节能资源分配策略和频谱管理技术结合在一起。还将开发适当的双工模式、信号波形和多路访问方案，以解决灵活性问题。因此，5G及以上带来的可持续性问题将直接得到解决。*这项研究计划的新颖性在于它专注于开发长期可持续的通信技术。其结果将对电信行业的未来产生重大影响，因为它支持5G系统及更高级别的服务预期，同时将其全球碳足迹降至最低。该研究计划还将为研究生提供一个宝贵的尖端通信技术培训机会。

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.***********