On Design and Engineering of Radio Access Networks for Beyond 5G Wireless

移动电话、传感器、智能电表、可穿戴设备等数十亿台设备连接到互联网，形成物联网（IoT）的新时代正在到来。第五代（5G）无线通信技术被认为是物联网的前景。带来大量新技术选项的5G新无线电（NR）第15版规范已经完成，5G第二阶段第16版规范的制定正在进行中。虽然5G技术预计将在2020年推出，但将有许多机会对其进行优化，并进一步推进其开发超越5G （B5G）系统，以实现万物互联（IoE）的最终愿景。网络元素的超致密化和地面蜂窝系统与非地面无线通信基础设施（如空中基站或无人机）的集成，以实现动态、灵活和敏捷的无线电接入，5G通信与边缘缓存、计算和软件定义网络技术的和谐融合，无线和移动网络运营的数据驱动优化和控制，最后但并非最不重要的是，无线网络和设备的能源可持续运营将是B5G技术的关键特征之一。本研究的长期目标是利用来自无线通信、随机几何、排队、机器学习、博弈和决策理论、优化和经济理论的工具和见解，为B5G蜂窝网络的建模、优化和控制技术的发展做出贡献。为了实现长期目标，将追求以下短期目标：(i)主题1：考虑空间和时间参数的超密集和异构蜂窝网络的建模、分析和优化，并设计其控制机制；（ii）主题2:B5G网络无线边缘缓存、计算和网络虚拟化方法的开发；（iii）议题3：制定降低B5G网络能耗和可持续性的方法；（iv）主题4:B5G网络中资源管理机器学习技术的发展。该研究将为B5G蜂窝网络的超密集和异构（如陆地和非陆地）性质以及内在不确定性提供一些理论基础、基本结果和优化方法。这些将是了解网络运行、识别瓶颈、获得性能保证、基准性能、优化网络控制参数、评估新技术以及为进一步增强这些技术提供见解的基础。该项目将培训20名不同级别的hqp。它将加强加拿大在无线技术研究创新方面的世界领先地位。

The world is pacing toward a new era where billions of devices such as mobile phones, sensor devices, smart meters, and wearables will be connected to the Internet to create the Internet-of-Things (IoT). The fifth generation (5G) wireless communications technology is considered as a promising enabler for IoT. The 5G New Radio (NR) Release-15 specifications, which bring a large number of new technology options, have been completed and the development of the specifications for Release-16, the second phase of 5G, is underway. While 5G technologies are expected to be rolled out by 2020, there will be numerous opportunities to optimize them and further advance them toward developing the beyond 5G (B5G) systems in order to achieve the ultimate vision of Internet-of-Everything (IoE).  The ultra-densification of network elements and integration of terrestrial cellular systems with non-terrestrial wireless communications infrastructures (e.g. aerial base stations or drones) for dynamic, flexible, and agile radio access, harmonious convergence of 5G communications with edge caching, computing, and software-defined networking technologies, data-driven optimization and control of wireless and mobile network operations, and last but not the least, energy sustainable operations of wireless networks and devices will be among the key features of B5G technology. The long-term objective of this research is to contribute to the development of modeling, optimization, and control techniques for B5G cellular networks by using tools and insights from wireless communications, stochastic geometry, queueing, machine learning, game and decision theory, optimization, and economic theory. To address the long-term goal, the following short-term objectives will be pursued: (i) Topic 1: Modeling, analysis, and optimization of ultra-dense and heterogeneous cellular networks considering both spatial and temporal parameters, and also designing their control mechanisms, (ii) Topic 2: Development of methods for wireless edge caching, computing, and network virtualization for B5G networks; (iii) Topic 3: Development of methods to reduce energy consumption and sustainability of B5G networks; and (iv) Topic 4: Development of machine learning techniques for resource management in B5G networks.  The proposed research will develop some theoretical foundations, fundamental results, and optimization methods for B5G cellular networks that account for their ultra-dense and heterogeneous (e.g. terrestrial and non-terrestrial) nature as well as intrinsic uncertainties. These will be elementary to understand network operation, identify bottlenecks, obtain performance guarantees, benchmark performance, optimize network control parameters, assess new technologies, and provide insights into further enhancing these technologies. The program will train 20 HQPs at the different levels.  It is poised to enhance Canada's position as a world leader in research innovations in wireless technologies.