FSO-based Vertical Backhaul/Fronthaul Framework for 5G+ Wireless Networks

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel FSO-based vertical backhaul/fronthaul framework utilizing networked flying platforms for 5G+ networks, demonstrating high data rates and scalability under various weather conditions through simulation.

Contribution

It introduces a new vertical backhaul/fronthaul architecture using NFPs and FSO links, addressing 5G+ requirements with performance analysis and discussion of associated challenges.

Findings

FSO links provide higher data rates than traditional methods.

The framework is effective under different weather conditions.

Simulation confirms scalability for dense small cell deployments.

Abstract

The presence of a super high rate, but also cost-efficient, easy-to-deploy, and scalable, backhaul/fronthaul framework is essential in the upcoming fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks \& beyond. Motivated by the mounting interest in the unmanned flying platforms of various types including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, balloons, and high-altitude/medium-altitude/low-altitude platforms (HAPs/MAPs/LAPs), which we refer to as the networked flying platforms (NFPs), for providing communications services and the recent advances in free-space optics (FSO), this article investigates the feasibility of a novel vertical backhaul/fronthaul framework where the NFPs transport the backhaul/fronthaul traffic between the access and core networks via point-to-point FSO links. The performance of the proposed innovative approach is investigated under different weather conditions and a broad range of system parameters. Simulation results demonstrate that the FSO-based vertical backhaul/fronthaul framework can offer data rates higher than the baseline alternatives, and thus can be considered as a promising solution to the emerging backhaul/fronthaul requirements of the 5G+ wireless networks, particularly in the presence of ultra-dense heterogeneous small cells. The paper also presents the challenges that accompany such a novel framework and provides some key ideas towards overcoming these challenges.