EUROPEAN COMMISSIONDirectorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology

Net FuturesNetwork Technologies

Future Networks 11th FP7 ConcertationPlenary Meeting

Panel Session – 5G: Challenges ahead

February 28th, 2013 – 12:45 to 14:15Av. de Beaulieu 25, room S1

Brussels 1160

Chair: Bernard Barani, European Commission, Deputy Head of Unit

Panellists:

- Hugo Tulleberg, Ericsson: “The METIS view of 5G networks” [METIS project] - Peter Rost, NEC: “Benefits and challenges of cloud technologies for 5G” [iJOIN project] - Gerhard Wunder, Fraunhofer: “Why do we need a new waveform for 5G?” [5GNOW project] - Mariana Goldhamer, 4GCelleX: “Standardisation path towards 5G: LTE Release 12 and integration of FP7 projects into 3GPP process" [TROPIC project]

PANEL REPORTThe panellist were invited to give their own perspective on 5G and next generation cellular networks, since this is one of the most important areas of Network Technologies in Horizon 2020 2013-2014 Workprogramme and beyond.

Presentations

"The METIS view of 5G networks": 5G Wireless Access key challenges were presented including avalanche of Traffic, explosion of number of devices and diversity of requirements, such as latency, reliability and low cost and energy consumption. This multiplicity of requirements is in turn stretching the limits of available technologies. METIS vision is "anywhere and anytime to anyone and anything". Scenarios, user requirements and KPIs will be identified during the lifecycle of METIS project. In order to improve spectrum utilization, METIS will investigate ways to enable and secure sufficient access to spectrum for the future wireless communications. Horizontal topics include Device-to-Device communication, Machine Communications, moving Networks, ultra-dense Networks and ultra-reliable communications. The possible 5G concept refers possibly not to a new Air I/F but to multiple integrated wireless/access solutions and this is identified as a potential major differentiation from the previous generations.

“Benefits and challenges of cloud technologies for 5G”: Due to the exponential growth of data rates on one side and the increase of processing power and storage capabilities on the other, standard IT platforms become more important for mobile networks, which

shows the need for convergence of Communications and IT technologies in 5G. Cloud changes the pictures as there is a trend towards virtualization/cloudification, service-driven optimization and usage of standard IT platforms. Low-latency requirement becomes critical in 5G, even more than bandwidth. iJOIN Project key concepts and objectives are presented in this context, aiming primarily at joint optimisation of RAN and backhaul. One of the major innovative objectives is utilization efficiency, which has to do not only with spectrum efficiency, but also with computational efficiency. The exposed concept calls for a differentiation between traffic with low latency/real time requirement and traffic with more relaxed characteristics. These different types of traffic may be conveyed over different bearers, which calls for more links between the network and application levels.

“Why do we need a new waveform for 5G?”: 5G Challenges in the context of FP7 ICT Project 5GNOW were presented. Application challenges for 5G include gigabit wireless connectivity, fragmented and underutilised spectrum, IoT/M2M and delay-sensitive communications. OFDM waveform seems not suitable to deal with all upcoming wireless access requirements. To deal with these requirements LTE will be redesigned in terms of a new physical layer based on non-orthogonal waveforms. Three reference scenarios are identified towards the proposed physical layer evolution, namely M2M delay-critical communication, uplink/Downlink CoMP Collaborative Schemes and fragmented spectrum. There will be a strong effort to initiate a new standardisation process for non-orthogonal wave forms and transmission schemes towards 5G.“Standardisation path towards 5G: LTE Release 12 and integration of FP7 projects into 3GPP process": LTE Release 12 standardisation process is presented. The gap between ideal standardization interval and Call 8 Projects timing schedule is mentioned, which may lead to missing of relevant study items in LTE Rel. 12. There is a need for strong collaboration within RAS Cluster in this context. TROPIC Activity in LTE standardisation is also presented. Another standardisation issue that was mentioned is that, after the end of the projects, large enterprises will continue their presence in LTE standardisation, but Universities and SMEs will stop investing funds. Therefore, they should receive some assistance from EC and active projects in this area. SMEs will be taken into consideration in Horizon 2020 under the Innovation instrument. FP7 projects which do not have the opportunity of a suitable Work Item or Study Item in LTE should evaluate the possibility of pre-standardisation in ETSI (e.g. through ISG's).

Discussions and Conclusions

A few different perspectives were presented during the above presentations on what 5G could be in terms of capacity, use cases and scenarios, spectrum efficiency, resource management and virtualisation of access networks. 5G is one of the focal points for future research in Horizon 2020 and will gain in amplitude in the next years. The following questions were addressed to the panellists:

- It was mentioned that there is a need in 5G to move to higher frequency bands for densification of network. What are these frequency bands and the sharing scenarios that are envisaged?

METIS view is that we could move above 6GHz band, which is a good section in the mm-wave band. Upper limit considered so far could go as high as 60 GHz, for some indoor scenarios. Licenced spectrum is always preferable as it gives the required quality assurance. Since sharing constraints and policy planning in general are very important, METIS has a goal to influence WRC 15 and ambitions to impact regulatory bodies.

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WRC 15 will try to find suitable bands for future wireless broadband communications and RSPG is trying at the moment to identify the agenda items of the WRC 15 that will take place in June. METIS will take into account all activities in the area of spectrum policy. EC welcomes all research projects to participate in policy groups which are chaired by Spectrum Policy Unit.

- To have or not to have a new waveform and a new type of Radio I/F in 5G? Is there a real need to have a new waveform or is it a pure research topic with little chances to succeed?

In LTE there is not any concern at the moment about waveform compatibility, so there is a possibility to introduce in the future new types of waveform. 5GNOW view is that new waveforms can deal with the physical layer problems that will be more severe in the GHz band. METIS view is that a redesign of the channel characteristics is required rather than a completely new waveform. From EC side, it is important to have a clear visibility if there is a move of the industry towards a new waveform, as not only research but also policy and standardisation people need to be involved and mobilised. Relevant patents and standards need to be addressed by strategic research projects in that area.

- 5G research area is not exclusively European as relevant research is carried out in different world regions. Is Europe behind or beyond on 5G research? Do we have the same research priorities with the other regions?

In Europe we have a strong position on Wireless Communications and cellular systems, however in the area of internet and cloud applications US is a stronger player. Taking into account the need for convergence and integration of wireless communication and IT in 5G, it is perceived that Europe needs to try harder to be in the lead. Another issue is that in LTE standardisation meetings there are a lot of Asian organisations, unlike European research centres. Being involved in the standardisation process is a big advantage for moving things forward towards 5G. This is sometimes the case as there is a decoupling between research and standardisation, since companies participate in relevant meetings as individual companies and not as research projects. Therefore, it is difficult to assess how research projects are materialised to product development and innovation. On the other hand, one of the things that are going to rebalance the equilibrium of the 5G ecosystem is the virtualisation and integration of IT with the network and this is going to shift the 5G definition towards the IT industry and software oriented players. Big European players are willing to change and adapt to the new environment as 5G is going to push to change the European telecommunication stakeholder area.

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