Title :
Future Evolution in Wireless Network Architectures: Towards a ´Cloud of Antennas´
Author :
Webb, Matthew ; Li, Zhaojun ; Bucknell, Paul ; Moulsley, Timothy ; Vadgama, Sunil
Author_Institution :
Fujitsu Labs. of Eur. Ltd., London, UK
Abstract :
This paper highlights the significant evolutionary potential in wireless communication networks, taking account of falling costs of RF hardware and increasing availability of powerful centralized signal processing. This so-called ´cloud of antennas´ allows a central radio controller to manage a large number of remote antennas (RAs) with increasing control over their radio and radio access network behavior. By introducing autonomous terminal reporting and coordination of broadcast signaling over many RAs, the concepts of a self-organizing, and terminal-centric network are described. These could lead to significantly improved flexibility in the network deployment, reduced downlink transmit power, and reduced control signaling load for the ordinary management of the terminals. The CoA is also compared with other approaches currently being researched.
Keywords :
antennas; radio access networks; signal processing; telecommunication network management; telecommunication signalling; CoA; RA; RF hardware cost; autonomous terminal reporting; broadcast signaling coordination; central radio controller; centralized signal processing; cloud of antennas; radio access network behavior; reduced control signaling load; reduced downlink transmit power; remote antennas; self-organizing network; terminal-centric network; wireless communication networks; wireless network architectures; Antenna arrays; Computer architecture; Interference; Mobile communication; Radio access networks; Wireless communication;
Conference_Titel :
Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Fall), 2012 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Quebec City, QC
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4673-1880-8
Electronic_ISBN :
1090-3038
DOI :
10.1109/VTCFall.2012.6399319