Rate Optimal design of a Wireless Backhaul Network using TV White Space

TL;DR

This paper explores the design of cost-effective, multi-hop wireless backhaul networks using TV white space channels, optimizing power, scheduling, and routing to maximize minimum data rates in rural areas.

Contribution

It introduces a novel joint optimization framework for power control, scheduling, and routing in TV white space-based backhaul networks, tailored for different population densities and traffic demands.

Findings

Joint optimization improves minimum data rates significantly.

TV white space channels are effective for rural backhaul connectivity.

Numerical examples demonstrate practical network design in Wichita, Kansas.

Abstract

The penetration of wireless broadband services in remote areas has primarily been limited due to the lack of economic incentives that service providers encounter in sparsely populated areas. Besides, wireless backhaul links like satellite and microwave are either expensive or require strict line of sight communication making them unattractive. TV white space channels with their desirable radio propagation characteristics can provide an excellent alternative for engineering backhaul networks in areas that lack abundant infrastructure. Specifically, TV white space channels can provide "free wireless backhaul pipes" to transport aggregated traffic from broadband sources to fiber access points. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of multi-hop wireless backhaul in the available white space channels by using noncontiguous Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (NC-OFDMA) transmissions between fixed backhaul towers. Specifically, we consider joint power control, scheduling and routing strategies to maximize the minimum rate across broadband towers in the network. Depending on the population density and traffic demands of the location under consideration, we discuss the suitable choice of cell size for the backhaul network. Using the example of available TV white space channels in Wichita, Kansas (a small city located in central USA), we provide illustrative numerical examples for designing such wireless backhaul network.