Software-defined wireless transport networks for flexible mobile backhaul in 5G systems Articles uri icon

publication date

  • December 2015

start page

  • 793

end page

  • 801

issue

  • 6

volume

  • 20

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1383-469X

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1572-8153

abstract

  • Traditionally microwave backhaul has been configured and operated in a static manner by means of vendor specific management systems. This mode of operation will be difficult to adapt to the new challenges originated by 5G networks. New mechanisms for adaptation and flexibility are required also in this network segment. The usage of a signaled control plane solution (based on OpenFlow) will facilitate the operation and will provide means for automation of actions on the wireless transport network segment. In addition to that, a standard control plane helps to reach the multi-vendor approach reducing complexity and variety of current per-vendor operation. This paper presents the motivation for the introduction of programmability concepts in wireless transport networks and illustrate the applicability of such control plane with two relevant use cases for dynamically controlling wireless transport nodes in 5G networks. Extensions to OpenFlow protocol are also introduced for building Software Defined Wireless Transport Networks (SDWTNs).

subjects

  • Telecommunications

keywords

  • wireless transport networks; microwave; software defined networking; mobile backhaul; architecture