Relay Technology in Cellular Networks

Relay technology has been explored and studied for decades, ranging from generic multi-hop mobile ad hoc networks to most recent collaborative multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) cellular networks. Deploying low cost relays reduces the infrastructure cost of establishing new base stations in order to improve the cell coverage and system capacity of next generation cellular networks. For efficient heterogeneous network planning, fixed relays are considered as one of the main enhancing technologies in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A). The function of the relay station can be described simply as a device which assists in transmissions between the local base station and the mobile station. Since the performance of relay transmissions is strongly affected by the collaborative strategy in dense wireless networks, the relay selection always attracts research attentions. In this thesis, the symbol error probability of the selective decode-and-forward (DF) relaying strategy is derived to explore the selection diversity. Furthermore, an effective joint beamforming vector design and relay selection scheme for a MIMO relay system are proposed. In addition, two main relay deployment scenarios are addressed in this thesis: the fixed relay and the mobile relay. The LTE relay is a fixed relay which is located near the cell edge. A dynamic system level simulator is developed to evaluate the downlink transmission performance of fixed relay-enhanced LTE-A systems. With deployment of a high number of relay nodes inter-cell interference and resource management problems increase. An adaptive beamforming strategy with limited feedback is proposed to reduce inter-cell interference. The proposed algorithm has been applied in relay-enhanced LTE-A cellular networks to show its advantage. Furthermore, we study the concept of shared relays, in which a relay station is deployed at the intersection of neighboring macro cells. An efficient resource allocation and scheduling scheme based on the sub-frame structure of LTE-A is proposed to maximize the benefit of shared relays. As the penetration rate of mobile phones, especially smart phones keeps increasing, users in public transportation expect high speed wireless services. Recently, the mobile relay for high speed railways has gained significant interest. A system level simulator is developed to investigate the capacity and handover performance of the mobile relay in a high speed railway scenario. Furthermore, a coordinated mobile relay node (MRN) strategy is proposed to combat co-channel interference and handover delay problems in a conventional mobile relay system.Die Relaistechnik für Funksysteme wurde seit Jahrzehnten erforscht und untersucht, angefangen von generischen mobilen Multi-Hop Ad-hoc-Netzwerken bis hin zu kollaborativen multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Mobilfunknetzen. Das Aufstellen kostengünstiger Relais reduziert die Infrastrukturkosten für den Aufbau neuer Basisstationen, um die Zellabdeckung und die Systemkapazität von Mobilfunknetzen der nächsten Generation zu verbessern. Für eine effiziente heterogene Netzwerkplanung werden ''fixed relays'' (Festrelais) als eine der Technologien in 3GPP LTE-Advanced betrachtet, welche die größten Verbesserungen aufweisen. Die Funktion der Relaisstation kann beschrieben werden als eine Vorrichtung, welche bei der Übertragung zwischen der lokalen Basisstation und der Mobilstation unterstützend wirkt. Da die Leistung von Relaisübertragungen stark von der Kooperationsstragie in dichten Funknetzwerken abhängt, erregt die Relaisauswahl stets die Aufmerksamkeit der Forschung. In dieser Arbeit wird die Symbolfehlerwahrscheinlichkeit der selektiven decode-and-forward (DF) Relais-Strategie abgeleitet, um den Diversitätsgewinn Auswahldiversität zu untersuchen. Weiterhin wurde ein gemeinsames Strahlformungsvektor-Design und Relais-auswahlschema für ein MIMO-Relais-System vorgestellt. Des Weiteren werden in dieser Arbeit zwei wesentliche Relais-Verteilungsszenarien untersucht: das Festrelais-Szenario und das Mobilrelais-Szenario. Das LTE Relais ist ein Festrelais, welches nah an dem Zellenrand liegt. Ein dynamischer System-Level-Simulator wurde entwickelt, um die Downlink-Übertragungsleistung von mit Festrelais erweiterten LTE-A-Systemen zu evaluieren. Bei der Verwendung einer hohen Anzahl von Relaisknoten steigt zum einem die Interzellinterferenz und zum anderen die Problematik des Ressourcenmanagements. Es wird eine adaptive Strahlformungsstrategie mit wenig zurückgekoppelte Information vorgestellt, um Zellinterferenzprobleme zu reduzieren. Der vorgestellte Algorithmus wird auf ein mit Relaisstationen erweitertes LTE-A-Mobilfunknetz angewendet, um seine Vorteile aufzuzeigen. Weiterhin wird das Konzept eines gemeinsam genutzten Relais untersucht, in welchem eine Relaisstation an der Grenze von benachbarten Makrozellen aufgestellt wird. Es wird ein effizientes Ressourcenzuweisungs- und Zeitplanungsschema, basierend auf der Sub-Rahmenstruktur, vorgestellt, um den Vorteil von gemeinsam genutzten Relais zu maximieren. Da die Verbreitungsrate von Mobiltelefonen, besonders von Smartphones, weiter ansteigt, werden Benutzer auch in öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln drahtlose Hochgeschwindigkeitsdienste erwarten. In letzter Zeit hat das Mobilrelais für Hochgeschwindigkeitszüge große Bedeutung gewonnen. Es wurde daher ein System-Level-Simulator entwickelt, um die Kapazität und Übergabgeleistungsfähigkeit von Mobilrelais in Hochgeschwindigkeitszug-Szenarios zu untersuchen. Zusätzlich wird eine koordinierte Mobilrelais-Strategie zur Bekämpfung von Gleichkanalinterferenz und Übergabeverzögerungsproblemen in herkömmlichen Mobilrelaissystemen vorgestellt

Energy Efficiency Optimization by Spectral Efficiency Maximization in 5G Networks

Energy and spectral efficiency are the mainchallenges in 5th generation of mobile cellular networks.In this paper, we propose an optimization algorithmto optimize the energy efficiency by maximizing thespectral efficiency. Our simulation results show a significantincrease in terms of spectral efficiency as well asenergy efficiency whenever the mobile user is connectedto a low power indoor base station. By applying theproposed algorithm, we show the network performanceimprovements up to 9 bit/s/Hz in spectral efficiency and20 Gbit/Joule increase in energy efficiency for the mobileuser served by the indoor base station rather than by theoutdoor base station

Radio Communications

In the last decades the restless evolution of information and communication technologies (ICT) brought to a deep transformation of our habits. The growth of the Internet and the advances in hardware and software implementations modified our way to communicate and to share information. In this book, an overview of the major issues faced today by researchers in the field of radio communications is given through 35 high quality chapters written by specialists working in universities and research centers all over the world. Various aspects will be deeply discussed: channel modeling, beamforming, multiple antennas, cooperative networks, opportunistic scheduling, advanced admission control, handover management, systems performance assessment, routing issues in mobility conditions, localization, web security. Advanced techniques for the radio resource management will be discussed both in single and multiple radio technologies; either in infrastructure, mesh or ad hoc networks

Energy Efficiency

This book is one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date books written on Energy Efficiency. The readers will learn about different technologies for energy efficiency policies and programs to reduce the amount of energy. The book provides some studies and specific sets of policies and programs that are implemented in order to maximize the potential for energy efficiency improvement. It contains unique insights from scientists with academic and industrial expertise in the field of energy efficiency collected in this multi-disciplinary forum

Integration of hybrid networks, AI, Ultra Massive-MIMO, THz frequency, and FBMC modulation toward 6g requirements : A Review

The fifth-generation (5G) wireless communications have been deployed in many countries with the following features: wireless networks at 20 Gbps as peak data rate, a latency of 1-ms, reliability of 99.999%, maximum mobility of 500 km/h, a bandwidth of 1-GHz, and a capacity of 106 up to Mbps/m2. Nonetheless, the rapid growth of applications, such as extended/virtual reality (XR/VR), online gaming, telemedicine, cloud computing, smart cities, the Internet of Everything (IoE), and others, demand lower latency, higher data rates, ubiquitous coverage, and better reliability. These higher requirements are the main problems that have challenged 5G while concurrently encouraging researchers and practitioners to introduce viable solutions. In this review paper, the sixth-generation (6G) technology could solve the 5G limitations, achieve higher requirements, and support future applications. The integration of multiple access techniques, terahertz (THz), visible light communications (VLC), ultra-massive multiple-input multiple-output ( μm -MIMO), hybrid networks, cell-free massive MIMO, and artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) have been proposed for 6G. The main contributions of this paper are a comprehensive review of the 6G vision, KPIs (key performance indicators), and advanced potential technologies proposed with operation principles. Besides, this paper reviewed multiple access and modulation techniques, concentrating on Filter-Bank Multicarrier (FBMC) as a potential technology for 6G. This paper ends by discussing potential applications with challenges and lessons identified from prior studies to pave the path for future research

Optical Wireless Data Center Networks

Bandwidth and computation-intensive Big Data applications in disciplines like social media, bio- and nano-informatics, Internet-of-Things (IoT), and real-time analytics, are pushing existing access and core (backbone) networks as well as Data Center Networks (DCNs) to their limits. Next generation DCNs must support continuously increasing network traffic while satisfying minimum performance requirements of latency, reliability, flexibility and scalability. Therefore, a larger number of cables (i.e., copper-cables and fiber optics) may be required in conventional wired DCNs. In addition to limiting the possible topologies, large number of cables may result into design and development problems related to wire ducting and maintenance, heat dissipation, and power consumption. To address the cabling complexity in wired DCNs, we propose OWCells, a class of optical wireless cellular data center network architectures in which fixed line of sight (LOS) optical wireless communication (OWC) links are used to connect the racks arranged in regular polygonal topologies. We present the OWCell DCN architecture, develop its theoretical underpinnings, and investigate routing protocols and OWC transceiver design. To realize a fully wireless DCN, servers in racks must also be connected using OWC links. There is, however, a difficulty of connecting multiple adjacent network components, such as servers in a rack, using point-to-point LOS links. To overcome this problem, we propose and validate the feasibility of an FSO-Bus to connect multiple adjacent network components using NLOS point-to-point OWC links. Finally, to complete the design of the OWC transceiver, we develop a new class of strictly and rearrangeably non-blocking multicast optical switches in which multicast is performed efficiently at the physical optical (lower) layer rather than upper layers (e.g., application layer). Advisors: Jitender S. Deogun and Dennis R. Alexande

Intelligent-Reflecting-Surface-Assisted UAV Communications for 6G Networks

In 6th-Generation (6G) mobile networks, Intelligent Reflective Surfaces (IRSs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as promising technologies to address the coverage difficulties and resource constraints faced by terrestrial networks. UAVs, with their mobility and low costs, offer diverse connectivity options for mobile users and a novel deployment paradigm for 6G networks. However, the limited battery capacity of UAVs, dynamic and unpredictable channel environments, and communication resource constraints result in poor performance of traditional UAV-based networks. IRSs can not only reconstruct the wireless environment in a unique way, but also achieve wireless network relay in a cost-effective manner. Hence, it receives significant attention as a promising solution to solve the above challenges. In this article, we conduct a comprehensive survey on IRS-assisted UAV communications for 6G networks. First, primary issues, key technologies, and application scenarios of IRS-assisted UAV communications for 6G networks are introduced. Then, we put forward specific solutions to the issues of IRS-assisted UAV communications. Finally, we discuss some open issues and future research directions to guide researchers in related fields

Seamless Mobility under a Dedicated Distributed Antenna System for High-Speed Rail Networks

High-speed railway (HSR) has demonstrated a tremendous growth worldwide, and currently is attaining a maximum velocity of 575 km/h. Such a high speed makes the mobile wireless communications a challenging task for HSR to sustain since the handover (HO) rate increases with speed which might result in a high loss of link connectivity. By employing a dedicated distributed antenna system (DAS) along with the two-hop network architecture for HSR wireless communications, this thesis aims to attain a high system capacity, a more transmission reliability, and consequently a superior mobile wireless communication quality-of-service (QoS) for commuters on HSR. First, this thesis proposes a frequency switch (FSW) scheme to mitigate the persistent HO issue in conventional HSR wireless communication systems. The proposed scheme significantly alleviates the interruption time and the dense signalling overhead associated with the traditional HO process, providing a much more convenient scheme, i.e. fast and soft which suits the remote antenna unit (RAU) small coverage area and the train's high moving speed. Therefore, FSW scheme provides mobility robustness signalling process that guarantees a more successful frequency switch instead of HO, thereby, reduces the probability of a radio link failure (RLF) compared with HO process in traditional HSR systems. Second, an enhanced fast predictive HO mechanism is proposed by starting the HO process earlier, when moving from one RAU coverage area to the next where these two RAUs are controlled by different central units (CUs). It shows that the proposed fast HO scheme achieves a lower HO command failure probability than the traditional HO. This leads to a lower HO failure probability which consequently can considerably enhance the end-users' quality-of-service (QoS) experience. Analytical results verify that the proposed schemes can improve the system performance substantially by delivering ultra-reliable low-latency communications. Finally, with the aim of providing an ultra-reliable low-latency wireless communications, this thesis also proposes an onboard frequency switch scheme to further simplify our previously proposed FSW scheme