Integrated Access Backhauled Networks

TL;DR

This paper reviews the 3GPP standard for multi-hop Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) networks, which use wireless spectrum for backhaul to enable cost-effective dense 5G deployments.

Contribution

It provides an overview of the 3GPP rel-16 IAB standard and explains the design decisions behind multi-hop wireless backhaul for 5G networks.

Findings

Highlights the potential of IAB to reduce deployment costs.

Describes the key features of the 3GPP rel-16 IAB standard.

Explains the rationale for design choices in multi-hop IAB networks.

Abstract

5G is finally here. Initial deployments are already operational in several major cities and first 5G-capable devices are being released. Though it is not limited only to millimeter wave deployments, the main promise of 5G lies in the utilization of the high bandwidth available at high frequencies. However, high-frequency deployments are coverage-limited and require denser placement of base stations, which can increase the cost significantly. One of the main contributing factors to the cost is fiber deployment. Integrated access backhauling (IAB), where part of the wireless spectrum is used for the backhaul connection of base stations instead of fiber, is an attractive solution that could make dense deployments economically viable. With this main objective, 3GPP is in the process of standardizing multi-hop IAB networks. This paper provides an overview of the main features of the multi-hop IAB 3GPP rel-16 standard and the rationale behind the design choices.