• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.4618-4639
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• 2018

One of the most innovative paradigms for the next-generation of wireless cellular networks is the cloud-radio access networks (C-RANs). In C-RANs, base station functions are distributed between the remote radio heads (RHHs) and base band unit (BBU) pool, and a communication link is defined between them which is referred as the fronthaul. This leveraging link is expected to reduce the CAPEX (capital expenditure) and OPEX (operating expense) of envisioned cellular architectures as well as improves the spectral and energy efficiencies, provides the high scalability, and efficient mobility management capabilities. The fronthaul link carries the baseband signals between the RRHs and BBU pool using the digital radio over fiber (RoF) based common public radio interface (CPRI). CPRI based optical links imposed stringent synchronization, latency and throughput requirements on the fronthaul. As a result, fronthaul becomes a hinder in commercial deployments of C-RANs and is seen as one of a major bottleneck for backbone networks. The optimization of fronthaul is still a challenging issue and requires further exploration at industrial and academic levels. This paper comprehensively summarized the current challenges and requirements of fronthaul networks, and discusses the recently proposed system architectures, virtualization techniques, key transport technologies and compression schemes to carry the time-sensitive traffic in fronthaul networks.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.97-106
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• 2017

The introduction of new access technologies in 5G radio networks has had a considerable impact on the design of transport networks. Research activities are underway on new transport technologies in both the wireless and optical domains to support 5G transport. This paper provides an overview of the concept and requirements of a fronthaul. We also discuss the research activities of a new fronthaul interface for future 5G networks, a 5G integrated fronthaul/backhaul transport network (5G-Crosshaul), a next-generation fronthaul interface (NGFI), a mobile xhaul network (MXN), and a next-generation mobile fronthaul architecture with multi-IF carrier transmission scheme.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.3-9
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• 2016

In this paper, we propose a Radio over Fiber system for small cell applications and for mobile fronthaul networks supporting cloud-radio access networks(RAN). We built a system with a downlink employing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) techniques and an uplink using single carrier-frequency multiple access(SC-FDMA). System parameters are evaluated for various subcarrier modulations and the results of link performance measurements are analyzed.

• Journal of Communications and Networks
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.162-172
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• 2016

The placement of the complete baseband processing in a centralized pool results in high data rate requirement and inflexibility of the fronthaul network, which challenges the energy and cost effectiveness of the cloud radio access network (C-RAN). Recently, redesign of the C-RAN through functional split in the baseband processing chain has been proposed to overcome these challenges. This paper evaluates, by mathematical and simulation methods, different splits with respect to network level energy and cost efficiency having in the mind the expected quality of service. The proposed mathematical model quantifies the multiplexing gains and the trade-offs between centralization and decentralization concerning the cost of the pool, fronthaul network capacity and resource utilization. The event-based simulation captures the influence of the traffic load dynamics and traffic type variation on designing an efficient fronthaul network. Based on the obtained results, we derive a principle for fronthaul dimensioning based on the traffic profile. This principle allows for efficient radio access network with respect to multiplexing gains while achieving the expected users' quality of service.

• Journal of Communications and Networks
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.135-149
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• 2016

Cloud radio access network (C-RAN) refers to the virtualization of base station functionalities by means of cloud computing. This results in a novel cellular architecture in which low-cost wireless access points, known as radio units or remote radio heads, are centrally managed by a reconfigurable centralized "cloud", or central, unit. C-RAN allows operators to reduce the capital and operating expenses needed to deploy and maintain dense heterogeneous networks. This critical advantage, along with spectral efficiency, statistical multiplexing and load balancing gains, make C-RAN well positioned to be one of the key technologies in the development of 5G systems. In this paper, a succinct overview is presented regarding the state of the art on the research on C-RAN with emphasis on fronthaul compression, baseband processing, medium access control, resource allocation, system-level considerations and standardization efforts.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.59-69
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• 2016

4G 대비 50배 이상의 최대 전송률, 1Gbps 이상의 사용자 체감 전송율, $10TB/s/km^2$의 단위 면적당 트래픽 용량, 1ms 이내의 전송 지연, $10^7/km^2$ 고연결 밀도 등의 핵심 성능 지표를 목표로 5G 기술 연구개발이 진행되고 있다. 5G 성능 지표의 달성을 위해 스펙트럼 효율을 증가시키는 무선 전송 기술, 유연성 있는 스펙트럼 사용 기술, 초고주파 대역 활용 전송 기술, 밀집 소형셀 기술 등의 신기술이 무선 액세스망에 적용되고 있으나, 백홀, 미드홀 그리고 프론트홀 등의 전달망 구간에도 높은 데이터 전송률과 매우 낮은 지연 시간을 제공할 새로운 해결책이 요구된다. 본고에서는 다양한 링크 전송 기술과 SDN/NFV를 수용하면서 패킷 스위칭 통합 망을 향해 연구되고 있는 5G 전달망 기술동향을 기술한다.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.38-49
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• 2020

In recent years, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assisted mobile free space optical (FSO) communication technique has attracted considerable attention regarding its aims to provide improved communication conditions for fixed-to-fixed FSO network and promising fronthaul and backhaul solutions for 5G+ wireless networks. This can be attributed to its outstanding advantages such as fast deployment and flexible network configuration. The UAV-assisted mobile FSO system can be used to provide cost-effective internet services in rural and remote areas and in hotspot areas that are characterized by increased data traffic. Additionally, it can be used to provide secure communication services under emergency circumstances. In this report, we review recent R&D trends in wireless network technology employing the UAV-assisted mobile FSO technique and key technologies for mobile FSO wireless networks. Furthermore, we introduce drone-based mobile FSO terminals and control systems that we have developed.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.617-623
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• 2023

With the evolution of communication networks, there is a growing demand for stable high-speed data connections to support services relying on large-capacity data. The increasing volume of packet data aggregated from user devices underscores the significance of quality diagnostics for the backhaul network, an intermediate link transmitting data to the core network. This paper conducts empirical research on techniques to diagnose issues within the backhaul network through practical case studies, through diagnosing various factors such as circuit bandwidth, speed disparities within switches, network segment-specific buffer sizes, routing policies, among other factors that could potentially cause RTT (Round Trip Time) delays and performance degradation.