Fog Computing based Radio Access Networks: Issues and Challenges

TL;DR

This paper discusses fog computing based radio access networks (F-RANs) as a promising 5G paradigm, emphasizing local processing, resource management, and distributed storage to improve efficiency and reduce central processing burdens.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of F-RAN architecture, key techniques, and discusses open issues like caching, SDN, and NFV for 5G networks.

Findings

F-RAN enhances spectral and energy efficiency in 5G.

Key techniques include transmission mode selection and interference suppression.

Identifies open challenges in edge caching, SDN, and NFV.

Abstract

A fog computing based radio access network (F-RAN) is presented in this article as a promising paradigm for the fifth generation (5G) wireless communication system to provide high spectral and energy efficiency. The core idea is to take full advantages of local radio signal processing, cooperative radio resource management, and distributed storing capabilities in edge devices, which can decrease the heavy burden on fronthaul and avoid large-scale radio signal processing in the centralized baseband unit pool. This article comprehensively presents the system architecture and key techniques of F-RANs. In particular, key techniques and their corresponding solutions, including transmission mode selection and interference suppression, are discussed. Open issues in terms of edge caching, software-defined networking, and network function virtualization, are also identified.