2016 International Conference on Internet of Things and Applications (IOTA)
Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune, India 22 Jan - 24 Jan, 2016
Application of 5G Next Generation Network to
Internet of Things
Suresh Borkar
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL 60616, USA
Email: borkar@iit.edu
Abstract— Some of the key services for 2020+
timeframe involve smart city applications requiring smart
grid, smart transportation, smart medicine with connected
cars, connected homes, moving robots, and sensors
creating the environment of Internet of Things. 5G is the
foundation access technology for IoT applications. It is
being defined to handle extremely high capacity, high
bandwidth, robust integrity, and low latency. It
incorporates a range of innovative and disruptive
technological advances. Radio and antenna system
innovations include improvement in spectral efficiency,
evolution of access schemes, utilization of carrier
aggregation, and advances in antenna techniques.
Spectrum support will not be the traditional static
allocation based approach but will involve dynamic
spectrum sharing and operations in the centimeter and
millimeter frequency range. 5G network enhancements
include ultra-lean design, separation between control and
user planes, flexible duplex method, adaptable resource
management, small cells, Coordinated Multi Point
networking, and Heterogeneous Networks.
Keywords— 5G; IoT; MIMO; NOMA
I. INTRODUCTION
The upcoming service and application environment during
the next decade will entail smart city and related applications,
wearable computing, multiple personal devices, smart and
remote health care and education, and safety and lifeline
systems. Internet of things (IoT) will be the foundation on
which these services will be built [1]. It is estimated that over
50 billion devices will be connected to the internet by 2020
[2]. IoT devices will account for over 75% of the traffic. 90%
of cars will be connected to the Internet. The access devices
will involve biometrics, sensors, and built-in Geo-positioning
capabilities. The access network needs to handle effectively
and efficiently the dominant Machine to Machine (M2M)
traffic requiring massive connectivity, extremely high
bandwidth, high integrity, cross domain integration, and multi
Radio Access Technologies (RATs). This paper deals with the
applicability of and enhancements in the upcoming 5G Next
Generation Network (NGN) as the access technology for IoT.
978-1-5090-0044-9/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE
Himangi Pande
Maharashtra Institute of Technology
Pune, 411038, India
Email: himangi.pande@mitpune.edu.in
Section II summarizes the requirements that need to be
met by the IoT access network. The 5G NGN is introduced in
Section III followed by the specific enhancements and
architectural constructs in the 5G technology which address
the access requirements. Advances in the areas of radio and
antenna, spectrum, and the network are covered. This is
followed by concluding remarks.
II. KEY IOT REQUIREMENTS ON ACCESS
IoT requires the confluence of technologies and standards,
such as sensors and actuators, wearable computing,
communications and protocols, network, storage and
computing infrastructure, and varying data and analytics.
Integration and automation of everything from home
appliances to entire factories entail moving predominantly
small bursty packets of data to and from large number of end
devices as well as large data packet transfers. The key
requirements resulting from M2M communications on the
access network are summarized below.
x Adaptable Quality of Service (QoS) support
x Significant increase in spectral and network
efficiencies
x High system capacity, massive device connectivity,
along with handling of small to large devices with
varying traffic characteristics
x Range of low to high communications bandwidth
x Typically, equal bandwidth in both uplink and
downlink directions
x Significantly reduced latency
x High integrity
x Energy saving
III. WIRELESS NEXT GENERATION NETWORK SOLUTION
The proposed 5G NGN [3] to be introduced in the 2020
timeframe is uniquely placed to meet the IoT related
requirements stated above. It supports the need of high density
of devices based on use of small cell configurations and access
based on varying types of technologies. It provides not only
communications via a centralized architectural approach but
also direct communications between devices especially at cell
edges. The challenging objectives as compared to 4G LTE
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include 100x data rates especially for high mobility, massive
connectivity in crowded areas, 1000x higher system
capacity/km2, < 1ms reduced latency, and energy saving and
cost reduction especially for terminals. What was achieved in
four generations of cellular systems is being attempted in one
generation from 4G to 5G.
The basic architecture of 5G is summarized in Figure 1.
Fig. 1 5G Architecture
The 5G Solution is based on a flat architecture with a
combined base station and base station controller called the
Cloud - Radio Access Network (C-RAN). The virtual
Enhanced Packet Core (vEPC) is essentially a software
upgrade based 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) packet core.
The management and service creation is based on cloud based
platform. Unlike 3G wireless, there is no circuit core.
To support predominant M2M communications, 5G
implementation utilizes disruptive rather than evolutionary
approaches in various areas including air access, duplexing
schemes, extremely wide range of spectrum, cloud based
management and application creation, and multi-RAT support
among others [3], [4]. These enhancements are summarized in
the following sections.
IV. RADIO AND ANTENNA SUPPORT
The primary approach for handling bandwidth and
capacity requirements in the radio is via significant
improvement in spectral efficiency, evolution of access
schemes, utilization of carrier aggregation, and advances in
antenna techniques.
Spectral Efficiency:
Spectral efficiency refers to the bandwidth (bps) realized
by a technology for a given channel bandwidth (Hz) and is
measured as bps/Hz. Improvements in spectrum efficiency are
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primarily dependent on advances in modulation schemes. The
3G/4G systems rely on Phase Shift Keying (PSK) for weak
signal areas near the cell edges and high order Quadrature
Amplitude Modulation (e.g., 64 QAM) closer to the cell
station. This is in order to maintain a consistent bit error rate
in the presence of noise but results in lower data bandwidth
and lower spectral efficiency near the cell edge. Another
disadvantage of these schemes is high Peak To Average Power
Ratio (PAPR). 5G is proposing to include another option of
using Amplitude and Phase Shift keying (APSK) based on
adjustment of both amplitude and phase changes utilized as a
dynamic choice during certain noise conditions. The collection
of a range of modulation schemes allows the system to
optimize spectral efficiency.
Evolution of Access Schemes:
The 5G access scheme involves a new waveform
technology called Filtered-Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiplexing (Filtered-OFDM) [5]. It can facilitate the co-
existence of different waveforms with different OFDM
parameters as shown in Fig. 2 [6].
Fig. 2 Access Schemes for Different Generations
Carrier Aggregation:
Carrier aggregation refers to combining multiple channels
to create adaptable higher bandwidths. For example, two 5
MHz channels can be combined into a logical 10 MHz
channel, thus dynamically providing double bandwidth. The
channels can be contiguous or non-contiguous, from the same
or different bands of operation as shown in Fig. 3.
.
Fig. 3 Carrier Aggregation
Advanced Antenna (Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output
(MIMO)
Although MIMO antenna configurations have been used
in 4G LTE technology as well, 5G exploits its benefits to the
fullest extent. The major characteristics of MIMO include
spatial diversity, tractable 3D beamforming, spatial
multiplexing, and interference cancellation.
Spatial diversity allows the system to increase system
reliability, i.e., decrease bit or packet error rate. This is based
on use of multiple independent channels between transmitter
and receiver.
Tractable 3D beamforming decreases interference and
required transmit power. In this approach, narrow beams are
transmitted based on the specific direction of the receiver and
the receiving antenna capture is also made directional (Fig.
4).
Fig. 4 3D Tractable Beam Forming using MIMO
Figure 4 shows distribution of electromagnetic radiation
within coverage area by 3D beamforming method. This allows
electrical steering, which steers antenna beam according to the
subscriber distribution, enables dynamic sectorization which
increases capacity through multi-beam transmission/reception,
and provides adaptive beamforming, which minimizes
interference to the direction of terminal belonging to other
cells by antenna nulling. Spatial multiplexing increases
achievable data rate and hence increase in the system capacity.
This is enabled by creating additional spatial channels by
using space-time coding. Lastly, interference cancellation
allows increase in the coverage area based on use of advanced
processing techniques for managing low Signal to Interference
and Noise Ratio (SINR)
V. SPECTRUM SUPPORT
Generally, the range of 700 MHz to 6 GHz spectrum has
been assigned to wireless systems with continued emphasis to
displace TV stations from the white space in the frequencies
below 700 MHz. 5G is envisaged to operate not only in this
frequency spectrum but also extend operations through the
centimeter (cm) and millimeter (mm) bands up to 100 GHz as
shown in Fig. 5 [8].
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Fig. 5 The 5G Operating Frequencies
Below 6 GHz, the 5G systems will interwork and co-exist
with 4G systems. The 6 – 100 GHZ range offers greater
bandwidth but results in smaller coverage due to significant
path loss at such high frequencies. In this challenging
spectrum, contiguous coverage will be provided using mesh
networked small cells, multi-carrier techniques, and provision
of very wide channel bandwidth, as high as 1960 MHz. Hence
5G is eminently suited for high density device communication
in IoT application. Use will be made of unified air interface
and a hierarchical scheduling for both radio access and
backhaul which enable flexible backhauling and low-cost
Ultra Dense Networking (UDN).
VI. NETWORK SUPPORT
Network support is provided in areas of ultra-lean design,
separation between control and user planes, duplex method,
adaptable resource management, small cells, Coordinated
Multi Point (CoMP) networking, and Heterogeneous
Networks (HetNets).
Ultra-Lean Design
The 5G access, similar to the 4G LTE system, combines
base station and controller into one entity to reduce
communication and protocol overheads. The design also
minimizes any transmissions not directly related to the
delivery of user data. Use is made of lighter Layer 2 Media
Access Control (MAC) protocols and integrated and adaptable
resource allocation for Uplink (UL) and Downlink (DL)
allowing efficient routing.
Separation between Control and User Planes
Fundamental change in traffic management is effected
with a greater separation between the network's control and
user planes. Control plane handles control signaling on how
sessions will be set up and data will move through a network.
Data plane supports user traffic and does the data moving. The
control plane and the user plane traffic can be provided by
different RANs, and even different base stations from different
wireless generations. The small cells can be turned on and off,
while keeping the control anchor on in order that new calls are
not missed. Separate scaling of user-plane capacity and basic
system control functionality enables significant reduction in
control signaling overhead.
Duplex Method (In-Band Full Duplex – IBFD)
The previous generations defined distinct duplexing
methods – Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time
Division Duplexing (TDD). In FDD, different frequency
bands are allocated for UL and DL which does not allow
resource sharing between the uplink and the downlink. TDD
uses common frequency band for both UL and DL traffic and
hence the corresponding bandwidths can be dynamically
allocated based on the traffic in the two directions. 5G
“exploits” the characteristics of efficient TDD Mode in the
FDD environment as shown in Fig. 6. UL/DL
[6].Transmissions can occur simultaneously at the same time
on the same frequency.
Fig. 6 The 5G Duplex Scheme
Adaptable Resource Management
Use is made of software defined flexible air interface to
support versatile application scenarios and IoT requirements.
Advanced scheduling algorithms are implemented. 5G also
uses priority based admission control and user bearer
assignment using the foundation set in 4G LTE [9].
Small Cells
Use of high frequencies clearly entails using small cells.
However, the resulting increase in bandwidth is used as basis
for handling only data. In case a subscriber is being handed
over between different small cells too frequently, they are put
back onto the macrocell. Small cells result in dense
deployments which can handle a large number of network
nodes as envisaged in IoT applications. Also, this allows high
spatial and frequency reuse. The architecture uses the
principles of Self Organizing Networks (SONs) and supports
radio resource coordination
The short distances between the RANs also enable mesh
networking and effective direct communications between
them for resource management and handovers. In order to
save power, RANs are switched on/off depending on the
traffic load.
Coordinated Multi Point (CoMP)
Instead of “minimizing” the ill effects of interference
between user devices, the Inter Cell “Interference” is exploited
for data transmission [10]. This allows synchronous exchange
of user data, joint processing, radio resource sharing, and
power scheduling. CoMP ensures efficient spectrum reuse and
additional power gains. Dynamic power control is optimally
coordinated among the users and with surrounding cells. The
result is consistent proportionality between the traffic and the
energy consumption at PHY Layer 1. CoMP is particularly
relevant at the cell edges.
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Multi Tiered Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets)
5G supports co-existence of multiple cellular and Local
Area Network (LAN) Technologies. The necessary
communication and protocol support is provided for Inter-
RAT handover. In addition the HetNets allow using different
technologies efficiently for control and user traffic as
mentioned earlier. An example of an anchor booster based
Control Plane and off-loading of User Plane to another RAT is
illustrated in Fig. 7 [7].
Fig. 7 Control Plane and User Plane Separation
VII. CONCLUDING REMARKS
Wireless technologies have come a long way from
supporting the basic “best effort” internet to support for tactile
internet with extremely low latency and high integrity in the
5G technology. IoT is an imperative for upcoming service and
applications environment and requires massive capacity, large
number of device nodes, bursty traffic with adaptable and
wide range of bandwidth from narrow band to broadband,
extremely low latencies, and energy efficient designs. 5G is a
major enabler for IoT because of the disruptive enhancements
in the radio and antenna systems, spectrum, and network
architecture. At present, in some of the advanced countries
like South Korea, 38 IoT devices are supported online per 100
inhabitants. The corresponding figure for India is 0.6. India
needs to define a concerted strategy for introduction of 3G,
4G, and 5G technologies to advance in the IoT arena.
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