Optimization of Mixed Numerology Profiles for 5G Wireless Communication Scenarios

The management of 5G resources is a demanding task, requiring proper planning of operating numerology indexes and spectrum allocation according to current traffic needs. In addition, any reconfigurations to adapt to the current traffic pattern should be minimized to reduce signaling overhead. In this article, the pre-planning of numerology profiles is proposed to address this problem, and a mathematical optimization model for their planning is developed. The idea is to explore requirements and impairments usually present in a given wireless communication scenario to build numerology profiles and then adopt one of the profiles according to the current users/traffic pattern. The model allows the optimization of mixed numerologies in future 5G systems under any wireless communication scenario, with specific service requirements and impairments, and under any traffic scenario. Results show that, depending on the granularity of the profiles, the proposed optimization model is able to provide satisfaction levels of 60–100%, whereas a non-optimized approach provides 40–65%, while minimizing the total number of numerology indexes in operation.Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Programme (COMPETE 2020), the Regional Operational Program of the Algarve (2020), and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia; i-Five: Extensão do acesso de espectro dinâmico para rádio 5G, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030500. This work is also supported by Fundação para a ciência e Tecnologia within CEOT (Center for Electronic, Optoelectronic and Telecommunications) and the UID/MULTI/00631/2020 projectinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implementação de redes 5G baseadas em código aberto

Recently, a growth of mobile networks, from a huge connection of only a few devices, to the need for constant maintenance with support even with different technological needs. This requires increasing the capacity of networks to respond to user needs, increasing connection speeds and decreasing latencies. In many cases, the demand for the capabilities offered by the new generation of mobile networks, 5G, remains unanswered with conventional structures, especially in urban areas. As a viable option for these needs, the use of small cells emerged. The use of this equipment is facilitated due to the flexibility offered by the architecture of 5G mobile networks that facilitate the division of the same into functional units with a virtual implementation, thus helping to spread the coverage area. The growing interest in 5G mobile networks and the immense possibilities they offer have given rise to projects focused on the development of 5G mobile networks that are made available for consultation and use by the interested community. These networks are mostly implemented in a virtual way, with the exception of the component responsible for the emission of the radio signal, where some options will be presented for this purpose during the course of the dissertation. As a target of study and evaluation of the state of development and usefulness throughout this dissertation, OpenAirInterface was chosen from among these open-source projects. The complete implementation of the same is presented and described, as well as the tests carried out in order to determine which are the functional bandwidths and which are the options for optimizing its operation. To conclude the work carried out, the results and balance of these tests are presented in the form of speed and latency tests in various bandwidths, verification of occupancy of the same, flexibility in modifying the emission frequency, as well as the result of a test of connecting elements of mobile networks developed by different open-source projects as a way of evaluating the flexibility of these networks.Recentemente temos assistido a um crescimento enorme de redes móveis, desde a conexão de apenas alguns dispositivos, até à necessidade de manter ligação constante com múltiplos equipamentos com necessidades tecnológicas diferentes. Isto requer o aumento da capacidade das redes para dar resposta às necessidades dos utilizadores, aumentar velocidades de conexão e diminuir latências. Em muitos casos, a procura pelas capacidades oferecidas pela nova geração de redes móveis, o 5G, continua sem resposta com as estruturas convencionais, especialmente em áreas urbanas. Como opção viável para essas necessidades, surgiu o uso de small cells. O uso desse equipamento é facilitado devido à flexibilidade oferecida pela arquitetura de redes móveis 5G que facilitam a divisão da mesma em unidades funcionais com uma implementação virtual ajudando assim à propagação da área de cobertura. O interesse crescente de redes móveis 5G e as imensas possibilidades que as mesmas oferecem, fizeram surgir projetos focados no desenvolvimento de redes móveis 5G que são colocados disponíveis para consulta e uso da comunidade interessada. Estes redes são maioritariamente implementadas de forma virtual à exceção do componente responsável pela emissão do sinal rádio, onde serão apresentadas algumas opções para o efeito no decorrer da dissertação. Como alvo de estudo e avaliação do estado de desenvolvimento e utilidade ao longo desta dissertação, foi escolhida a OpenAirInterface de entre esses projetos open-source. É apresentada e descrita a implementação completa da mesma, assim como os testes efetuados no sentido de apurar quais as larguras de banda funcionais e quais as opções de otimização de funcionamento da mesma. Para concluir o trabalho realizado, é apresentado o resultado e balanço desses testes na forma de testes de velocidade e latência em várias larguras de banda, verificação de ocupação da mesma, flexibilidade em modificar a frequência de emissão, assim como o resultado de um teste de conexão de elementos de redes móveis desenvolvidos por projetos open-source diferentes como forma de avaliar a flexibilidade destas redes.Mestrado em Engenharia Eletrónica e Telecomunicaçõe

On feasibility of the UE power saving signal for the 5G new radio

Abstract. The objective of this thesis is to study and evaluate physical layer signals and channels to achieve the user equipment (UE) power saving in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) new radio (NR). The fifth generation (5G) mobile network has strict objectives regarding power consumption and performance. The UE power consumption also has a big impact on the end user’s quality of experience (QoE) and future deployment of NR devices. Therefore, it is very important to study ways to reduce UE power consumption. One feasible power saving technique is the usage of so-called power saving signal or channel, which triggers the UE to transition to the active mode from the power saving mode. The first part of this work provides an overview of general properties of the NR and its physical downlink signals and channels, as well as the UE operation and power consumption in the connected mode. Then, examples of existing power saving techniques are discussed and a new scheme of the wake-up mechanism and the UE power saving signal/wake-up signal (WUS) is described. Lastly, different design options for the power saving signal are described and their detection performance is studied. The power saving signal options of this thesis can be divided into physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) based and sequence-based signals/channels. In the PDCCH based option, the power saving indication is carried as a payload of the PDCCH. Studied sequence-based options are the secondary synchronization signal (SSS), the PDCCH demodulation reference signal (DMRS), the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) and a UE-specific sequence that is mapped to all radio resources allocated for the PDCCH. The detection of the latter is done in time domain, and the detection of the other sequences is done in frequency domain. The detection performance of these signals/channels is compared based on link-level simulation results. Simulations were done with a Matlab-based simulator. They show the impact of the frequency- and time-selectivity and implementation impairments. Based on the numerical results, the impact of the UE speed up to 120 km/h and the carrier frequency offset (CFO) up to 400 Hz can be neglected with all the options except CSI-RS. It was shown that the sequence-based WUS options tend to suffer from the frequency-selective radio channel. By making decisions within the channel’s coherence bandwidth and using precoder cycling, the negative impact of the channel can be reduced. With these techniques, PDCCH DMRS outperforms all the other sequence-based options. However, in terms of detection performance, the PDCCH based power saving signal/channel is the most robust option of this set of candidates.Päätelaitteen virransäästösignaalin soveltuvuus 5G:n uuteen radiorajapintaan. Tiivistelmä. Tämän diplomityön tavoitteena on tutkia ja verrata fyysisen kerroksen signaaleja, päätelaitteen (user equipment, UE) virransäästön toteuttamiseksi 3GPP:n uudessa radiorajapinnassa (New Radio, NR). Viidennen sukupolven (5th generation, 5G) mobiiliverkolla on tiukat tavoitteet virransäästön ja suorituskyvyn osalta. Päätelaitteen virrankulutuksella on myös suuri vaikutus loppukäyttäjän kokemukseen ja tulevien NR-laitteiden käyttöönottoon. Siksi onkin erittäin tärkeää tutkia mahdollisia tapoja vähentää päätelaitteen virrankulutusta. Yksi mahdollinen virransäästötekniikka on niin sanottu virransäästösignaali, joka herättää päätelaitteen virransäästötilasta verkkoyhteyteen. Työn ensimmäinen osa käsittelee NR:n yleisiä ominaisuuksia, alalinkin fyysisiä signaaleja ja kanavia, sekä päätelaitteen virrankulutusta verkkoyhteydessä. Seuraavaksi käsitellään olemassa olevia virransäästötekniikoita, sekä käydään läpi uutta herätys-tyyppistä mekanismia ja päätelaitteen virransäästösignaalin/herätyssignaalin (wake-up signal, WUS) toimintaa. Lopuksi kuvataan erilaisia virransäästösignaalivaihtoehtoja ja tutkitaan niiden havaitsemisen suorituskykyä. Työn virransäästösignaalivaihtoehdot voidaan jakaa alalinkin kontrollikanava- (physical downlink control channel, PDCCH) ja sekvenssipohjaisiin signaaleihin/kanaviin. PDCCH-pohjaisessa vaihtoehdossa virransäästösignaali siirretään PDCCH:n hyötykuormana. Tutkitut sekvenssipohjaiset vaihtoehdot ovat toissijainen synkronointisignaali (secondary synchronization signal, SSS), PDCCH-demodulaatio-referenssisignaali (demodulation reference signal, DMRS), kanavan tilatieto-referenssisignaali (channel-state information reference signal, CSI-RS), sekä UE-spesifinen sekvenssi, joka asetetaan PDCCH:n jokaiseen alikantoaaltoon. Jälkimmäisen havaitseminen tehdään aikatasossa ja muiden sekvenssien havaitseminen tehdään taajuustasossa. Näiden signaalien/kanavien havaitsemisen suorituskykyä vertaillaan linkkitason simulointitulosten perusteella. Simulaatiot tehtiin Matlab-pohjaisella simulaattorilla. Ne esittävät aika- ja taajuusselektiivisyyden, sekä toteutuksen epäideaalisuuksien vaikutusta. Numeeristen tulosten perusteella, UE:n nopeus arvoon 120 km/h ja kantoaaltotaajuussiirto (carrier frequency offset, CFO) 400 Hz:iin asti voidaan jättää huomioimatta, kaikkien muiden paitsi CSI-RS:n tapauksessa. Työssä osoitettiin, että sekvenssipohjaiset WUS-vaihtoehdot kärsivät taajuusselektiivisestä radiokanavasta. Kanavan negatiivista vaikutusta voidaan pienentää tekemällä päätöksiä kanavan koherenssikaistanleveyttä pienemmissä osissa, sekä käyttämällä syklistä esikooderia. Näillä tekniikoilla PDCCH DMRS suoriutuu kaikkia muita sekvenssipohjaisia vaihtoehtoja paremmin. Kuitenkin, havaitsemisen suorituskyvyn perusteella PDCCH-pohjainen virransäästösignaali/kanava on vahvin ehdokas näistä vaihtoehdoista

Bandwidth Allocation and Service Differentiation in D2D Wireless Networks

International audienceInspired by a new feature in 5G NR called bandwidth part (BWP), this paper presents a bandwidth allocation (BA) model that allows one to adapt the bandwidth allocated to users depending on their data rate needs. Specifically, in adaptive BA, a wide bandwidth is divided into chunks of smaller bandwidths and the number of bandwidth chunks allocated to a user depends on its needs or type. Although BWP in 5G NR mandates allocation of a set of contiguous bandwidth chunks, our BA model also allows other assumptions on chunk allocation such as the allocation of any set of bandwidth chunks, as in, e.g., LTE resource allocation, where chunks are selected uniformly at random. The BA model studied here is probabilistic in that the user locations are assumed to form a realization of a Poisson point process and each user decides independently to be of a certain type with some probability. This model allows one to quantify spectrum sharing and service differentiation in this context, namely to predict what performance a user gets depending on its type as well as the overall performance. This is based on exact representations of key performance metrics for each user type, namely its success probability, the meta distribution of its signal-to-interference ratio, and its Shannon throughput. We show that, surprisingly, the higher traffic variability stemming from adaptive BA is beneficial: when comparing two networks using adaptive BA and having the same mean signal and the same mean interference powers, the network with higher traffic variability performs better for all these performance metrics. With respect to Shannon throughput, we observe that our BA model is roughly egalitarian per Hertz and leads to a linear service differentiation in aggregated throughput value

Técnicas de gestão de feixe de onda para sistemas Massive MIMO nas redes 5G NR

The use of Millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum frequencies is seen as a key enabler technology for the future wireless communication systems to overcome the bandwidth shortage of the sub 6GHz microwave spectrum band, enabling high speed data transmissions in the 5G/6G systems. Nevertheless, mmWave propagation characteristics are associated to significant free-path losses and many more attenuations that become even more harsher as the frequency increases, rendering the communication challenging at this frequencies. To overcome these distinct disadvantages, multiple antenna arrays are employed to allow beamforming techniques for the transmission of narrower concentrated beams in more precise directions and less interference levels between them, consequently improving the link budget. Thus, to constantly assure that the communication with each device is done using the beam pair that allows the best possible connectivity, a set of Beam Management control procedures is necessary to assure an efficient beamformed connection establishment and its continuous maintenance between the device and the network. This dissertation will address the description of the Initial Beam Establishment (IBE) BM procedure, focusing the selection of the most suitable transmit-receive beam pair available after completed beam sweeping techniques to measure the different power levels of the received signal. The main goal is to design a new 3GPP-standard compliant beam pair selection algorithm based on SSS angle estimation (BSAE), that makes use of multiple Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs) to maximize the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) value at the receiver, through the selected beam pair. This optimization is done using the Secondary Synchronization Signals (SSSs) present in each SSB to perform channel estimation in the digital domain (comprising the effects of the analog processing). Afterwards, the combination of those estimations were used to perform the equivalent channel propagation matrix estimation without the analog processing effects. Finally, through the channel propagation matrix, the angle that maximizes the RSRP was determined to compute the most suitable beam through the aggregated response vector. The obtained results show that the proposed algorithm achieves better performance levels compared to a conventional beam pair selection algorithm. Furthermore, a comparison with an optimal case is also done, i.e., the situation where the channel is known, and the optimal beam pair angle can be determined. Therefore, the similar performance results compared to the optimal case indicates that the proposed algorithm is interesting for practical 5G mmWave mMIMO implementations, according to 3GPP-compliant standards.O uso de frequências na banda das ondas milimétricas é visto como uma tecnologia chave para os futuros sistemas de comunicação móveis, tendo em vista a ultrapassar o problema da escassez de banda a sub-6 GHz, e por permitir as elevadas taxas de dados requeridas para sistemas 5G/6G. Contudo, a propagação deste tipo de ondas está associado a perdas acentuadas em espaço livre e várias atenuações que se tornam cada vez mais significativas com o aumento do valor da frequência, impondo obstáculos à comunicação. Para ultrapassar estas adversidades, agregados constituídos por múltiplos elementos de antena são implementados por forma a permitir técnicas de formação de feixe e possibilitar a transmissão de feixes mais estreitos e altamente direcionais, diminuindo os níveis de interferência e melhorando consequentemente o link budget. Deste modo, para assegurar constantemente que a comunicação efetuada em cada dispositivo ocorre utilizando o conjunto de feixes que proporciona o melhor nível de conectividade, é então necessário um conjunto de procedimentos de controlo de gestão de feixe, assegurando um estabelecimento eficiente da comunicação e a sua contínua manutenção entre um dispositivo e a rede. Esta dissertação descreve o procedimento de gestão de feixe conhecido como estabelecimento inicial de feixe, focando o processo de seleção do melhor par de feixe de transmissão-receção disponível após o uso de técnicas de varrimento de feixe por fim a efetuar medições dos diferentes níveis de potência do sinal recebido. O principal objetivo passa pela conceção de um novo algoritmo de estabelecimento de par de feixes baseado em estimações de ângulo (BSAE), que explora o uso de múltiplos SSBs definidos pelo 3GPP, por forma a maximizar o RSRP no recetor, através do feixe selecionado. Esta otimização é feita usando os sinais de sincronização secundários (SSSs) presentes em cada SSB para efetuar uma estimação de canal no domínio digital (que contém o efeito do processamento analógico). Depois, combinando essas estimações, foi feita uma estimação da matriz do canal de propagação, sem o efeito desse processamento analógico. Finalmente, através da matriz do canal de propagação, foi determinado o ângulo que maximiza o RSRP, e calculado o feixe através do vetor de resposta do agregado. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o algoritmo proposto atinge melhor desempenho quando comparado com o algoritmo convencional de seleção de par de feixes. Foi feita ainda uma comparação com o caso ótimo, isto é, com o caso em que se conhece completamente o canal e se obtém um ângulo ótimo. Os resultados obtidos pelo algoritmo proposto foram muito próximos do caso ótimo, pelo que é bastante interessante para sistemas práticos 5G mmWave mMIMO, que estejam de acordo com o padrão 3GPP.Mestrado em Engenharia Eletrónica e Telecomunicaçõe

Beam Tracking Strategies for 5G New Radio Networks Operating in the Millimetre Wave Bands

[ES] La llegada de la próxima generación del estándar de comunicaciones móviles, la llamada quinta generación (5G), es prácticamente una realidad. Las primeras redes comerciales han comenzado a ser desplegadas, centrándose en ofrecer altas velocidades de transferencia de datos. Sin embargo, el estándar 5G va mucho más allá y prevé dar soporte a nuevos servicios que pretenden revolucionar la sociedad. Estos nuevos servicios imponen un nivel alto de requisitos en no solo en cuanto a velocidad del tráfico de datos, sino en cuanto a latencia o número de dispositivos conectados simultáneamente. La amplia variedad de requisitos no puede ser soportada por las redes de cuarta generación (4G), por lo que se hizo necesario plantear un nuevo paradigma para las redes inalámbricas. Con la promesa de grandes cantidades de ancho de banda sin utilizar, el estándar 5G contempla utilizar frecuencias en la comúnmente conocida como banda de milimétricas (mmWave). Esta banda presenta grandes pérdidas de propagación, que se acentúan si existen bloqueos de señal. Actividades regulatorias del uso de las bandas de milimétricas atrajo el interés tanto de la industria como de la academia en plantear soluciones para dar servicio en estas bandas. En los últimos años se han presentado infinidad de trabajos basados en sistemas con múltiples antenas o MIMO, para conformar las señales transmitidas o recibidas en haces apuntando en determinadas direcciones. La ganancia que aportan los sistemas MIMO pueden compensar las altas pérdidas de propagación, asegurando la viabilidad de las comunicaciones mmWave. Se ha detectado una evidente falta de estudios sobre la viabilidad de sistemas MIMO en entornos móviles y dinámicos con bloqueos que hagan necesario que el sistema se reconfigure. Esta Tesis pretende cubrir este espacio desde un enfoque práctico y propone mecanismos de gestión de los haces para hacerles un seguimiento utilizando los recursos y mecanismos del nuevo estándar 5G. Las soluciones aportadas se basan en el uso eficiente de los reportes de medidas de las señales de referencia estandarizadas en enlace descendente. En primer lugar, esta Tesis recoge un análisis minucioso del estado del arte, donde se corrobora la necesidad de aportar soluciones de seguimiento de haces en sistemas de comunicaciones en la banda de milimétricas. Además, se estudian los diferentes mecanismos definidos en el estándar 5G y que posibilitan el seguimiento. Cabe destacar que el estándar no define un mecanismo único a seguir, permitiendo presentar propuestas. Una vez conocidas las tecnologías, se centra el estudio en el impacto del seguimiento sobre las prestaciones a nivel de red y de enlace. Dicho estudio se realiza sobre un sistema punto a punto, donde el terminal móvil se desplaza por un entorno urbano. En base a simulaciones de red, se cuantifica el índice de seguimiento de haz y de cómo dicho seguimiento afecta a la relación señal a ruido más interferencia (SINR) y la tasa de transmisión del usuario. Las soluciones de seguimiento propuestas en esta Tesis se pueden clasificar en dos categorías. En una primera categoría, se realiza el seguimiento en base a reportes de medidas de las señales de referencia. Independientemente de la velocidad, se alcanza un seguimiento del 91% con poca penalización en la tasa de transmisión si se monitorizan los haces de interés con una periodicidad menor de 20 ms. En la segunda categoría caben mecanismos de seguimiento que hacen uso de fuentes externas de información. Dentro de esta categoría, se propone un fingerprinting que relacione haces con la localización reportada y un modelo de machine learning (ML) que prediga los haces a utilizar. El fingerprinting proporciona los mismos niveles de rendimiento. Sin embargo, esta solución es muy sensible a errores y requiere considerar todos los casos posibles, lo que la hace tecnológicamente inviable. En cambio, el modelo de ML, que hace p[CA] L'arribada de la següent generació de l'estàndard de comunicacions mòbils, l'anomenada cinquena generació (5G), es pràcticament una realitat. Les primeres xarxes comercials han començat a desplegar-se i s'han centrat en oferir altes velocitats de transferència de dades. No obstant, l'estàndard 5G va molt mes allà y preveu donar suport a nous serveis que pretenen revolucionar la societat. Estos nous serveis imposen un alt nivell de requisits no sols en quant a velocitat de tràfic de dades, si no també en quant a latència o número de connexions simultànies. L'ampla varietat de requisits no es suportada per les xarxes de quarta generació (4G) actuals, per el qual es va fer necessari un nou paradigma de xarxes sense fil. Amb la promesa de amplies quantitats d'ample de banda, l'estàndard 5G contempla utilitzar freqüències a la banda de mil·limètriques. Esta banda presenta l'inconvenient d'experimentar grans pèrdues de propagació, que s'accentuen en cas de bloqueigs. L'apertura de les bandes de mil·limètriques va atraure l'interès tant de l'industria com de l'acadèmia en plantejar solucions per a donar servei en estes bandes. En els últims anys s'han presentat infinitat de treballs basats en sistemes amb múltiples antenes o MIMO, per a conformar els senyals transmesos o rebuts en feixos apuntant en determinades direccions d'interès. El guany de feix es pot utilitzar per a compensar les pèrdues de propagació, assegurant la viabilitat de les comunicacions en la banda de mil·limètriques. No obstant això, s'ha detectat una preocupant manca d'estudis sobre la viabilitat d'estos sistemes en entorns mòbils i dinàmics, amb obstacles que bloquejen els feixos i facen necessari que el sistema es reconfigure. El present treball de Tesi pretén cobrir este espai buit i des d'un punt de vista pràctic, es proposen mecanismes de gestió dels feixos per a ser el seguiment utilitzant els recursos i mecanismes dels que disposa l'estàndard 5G. D'esta manera, les solucions aportades es basen en la utilització eficient dels reports de mesures dels senyals de referència del enllaç descendent. En primer lloc, esta Tesi recull una anàlisi minuciosa de l'estat de l'art on es corrobora la necessitat de aportar solucions de seguiment de feixos per a comunicacions en la banda de freqüències mil·limètriques. A més a més, s'estudien els diferents mecanismes definits a l'estàndard 5G i que possibiliten el seguiment. Cap destacar que l'estàndard no defineix un mecanisme únic, si no que deixa la porta oberta a presentar propostes. Una vegada conegudes les tecnologies, l'estudi es centra en l'impacte del seguiment sobre les prestacions a nivell de xarxa i d'enllaç. Este estudi es realitza sobre un sistema MIMO punt a punt, en una única estació base i un terminal mòbil desplaçant-se en un entorn urbà. En base a simulacions d'extrem a extrem, es quantifica l'índex de seguiment de feix i com l'anomenat seguiment afecta a la relació senyal a soroll més interferència (SINR) i a la taxa instantània de transmissió de l'usuari. Les solucions de seguiment de feixos propostes a la Tesi es poden classificar en dos categories. A la primera categoria, el seguiment de feixos es realitza en base als reports de mesures dels senyals de referència. Independentment de la velocitat, s'arriba a una taxa de seguiment del 91% amb poca penalització de taxa de transmissió si els feixos d'interès es mesuren amb una periodicitat menor a 20 ms. A la segona categoria pertanyen els algoritmes que utilitzen fonts d'informació externes. Dins d'aquesta categoria es proposa un fingerprinting que relaciona un parell de feixos amb la ubicació de l'usuari, i a banda un model d'intel·ligència artificial (IA) que preveu el feix a utilitzar. El fingerprinting ofereix el mateix rendiment. Però, esta solució es molt sensible a errors i requereix considerar tots els casos possibles, fent-la tecnològicament inviable. En canvi, el[EN] The arrival of the next generation of mobile communication standards, the so-called Fifth Generation (5G), is already a reality. The first commercial networks have begun to be deployed, and they focus on providing higher data rates. However, the 5G standard goes much further from that and aims at providing support to new services which will revolutionise the society. These new services impose a high level of requirements not only in terms of the data traffic speed, but also in terms of very low latency or incredibly large number of simultaneous connections. This wide variety of requirements cannot be technologically supported by the current Fourth Generation (4G) networks, so it became necessary to move forward with a new paradigm for wireless networks. With the promise of large amounts of bandwidth, in the order of GHz, the 5G standard contemplates the use of frequencies in the commonly known Millimetre Wave (mmWave) band. The mmWave band experiences large propagation losses, which are accentuated in blockage events. Regulatory activities worldwide in the mmWave bands attracted the interest of both the industry and the academia. In the last few years, a tremendous number of contributions on mmWave propagation studies and networks have appeared, most of them based on Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) solutions. MIMO architectures allow to beamform, which focuses the radiated energy on certain directions of interest called beams. The additional beam gain compensates the high propagation losses, ensuring the viability of the communications in the mmWave band. There is an evident lack of viability studies of mmWave MIMO systems in mobile and highly-dynamic environments, where obstacles may block beams and forcing frequent re-configurations. This Thesis work aims to fill this gap from a practical approach. This Thesis proposes beam management mechanisms utilising the mechanisms and resources offered by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G radio access standard: 5G New Radio (NR). The practical solutions are based on the efficient use of measurement reports of standardised downlink Reference Signals (RS). In first place, this Thesis provides a thorough state-of-the-art analysis and corroborates the need of adopting beam tracking solutions for mmWave networks. Then, a complete overview of the 5G standard mechanisms that enable beam tracking is given. The NR standard does not define a standardised mechanism for beam tracking, leaving the door open to proposals to carry out such monitoring. Once the technologies have been identified, the Thesis continues with assessing the impact of the beam tracking strategies on the network and link-level performance. The study is focused on individual point-to-point mmWave links in a realistic urban environment. Based on end-to-end network simulations, the Thesis is interested in assessing the beam tracking success ratio and how beam misalignment affects the perceived Signal to Noise plus Interference Ratio (SINR) and user throughput at pedestrian and vehicular speeds. The beam tracking solutions proposed in this Thesis fall into two categories. The first category monitors beams based on measuring and reporting beamformed RS. Regardless of the speed, this beam tracking category provides up to 91 % tracking performance, with little throughput reduction if the beams of interest are measured with a periodicity below 20 ms. Beam tracking in the second category relies on external information sources. Within this category, this Thesis proposes a fingerprinting database relating beams to the user position and a machine learning (ML) model. Fingerprinting beam tracking is technologically viable and provides similar performance levels. However, this solution is very sensitive to errors and requires considering all possible situations. The ML beam tracking, which makes predictions with a 16 % of estimation error for the reference data set.I want to thank the Spanish Ministry of Education and Professional Formation for funding this Thesis work with an official pre-doctoral contract grant.Herranz Claveras, C. (2019). Beam Tracking Strategies for 5G New Radio Networks Operating in the Millimetre Wave Bands [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/130845TESI

Study, Measurements and Characterisation of a 5G system using a Mobile Network Operator Testbed

The goals for 5G are aggressive. It promises to deliver enhanced end-user experience by offering new applications and services through gigabit speeds, and significantly improved performance and reliability. The enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) 5G use case, for instance, targets peak data rates as high as 20 Gbps in the downlink (DL) and 10 Gbps in the uplink (UL). While there are different ways to improve data rates, spectrum is at the core of enabling higher mobile broadband data rates. 5G New Radio (NR) specifies new frequency bands below 6 GHz and also extends into mmWave frequencies where more contiguous bandwidth is available for sending lots of data. However, at mmWave frequencies, signals are more susceptible to impairments. Hence, extra consideration is needed to determine test approaches that provide the precision required to accurately evaluate 5G components and devices. Therefore, the aim of the thesis is to provide a deep dive into 5G technology, explore its testing and validation, and thereafter present the OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) 5G testbed, including measurement results obtained and its characterisation based on key performance indicators (KPIs)