Hybrid Wired-Wireless Backhaul Solutions for Heterogeneous Ultra-Dense Networks

TL;DR

This paper explores hybrid wired-wireless backhaul solutions for ultra-dense networks, analyzing potential technologies, challenges, and optimal traffic management strategies to support increasing network demands.

Contribution

It provides an overview of backhaul technologies and evaluates a hybrid wired-wireless scenario with traffic splitting and routing solutions for ultra-dense networks.

Findings

Hybrid backhaul can effectively support ultra-dense networks.

Optimal traffic splitting improves network capacity.

Technical challenges vary with topology and traffic profiles.

Abstract

Wireless networks are becoming extremely pervasive while traffic demand is ever increasing. In order to cope with the forecast increase in traffic volume for the upcoming years, as well as the number of connected devices, new technologies, practices and spectrum rearrangements are required. In this context, a key question arises: how to provide extensive backhaul connectivity and capacity for pervasive ultra dense networks? The answer is rather complex, if feasible. To shed some light into this issue we overview potential technologies, either wired or wireless, and identify technical challenges. Moreover, we evaluate an illustrative scenario of a ultra-dense network that operates with hybrid wired-wireless backhaul. We assume multiple radio access technologies at small and macro base stations (BSs), and we discuss optimal traffic splitting and routing solutions for different topologies and traffic profiles.