Millimeter Wave “5G” Wireless Networks to Drive New Research Agenda

Abstract

The next generation of wireless telecommunications (“5G”) promises to revolutionize how the world communicates. Autonomous vehicles, robots, virtual reality, drones, the “Internet-of-Things” (IoT), and all mobile communications will be enabled by new radio spectrum between 6 and 300-Gigahertz (Ghz). Physical network infrastructure will be separated from the logical or “virtual” infrastructure. Software defined networks (SDNs) will be set up and torn down according to demand. Network management will be aided by artificial intelligence. Emerging standards being worked on at the International Telecommunication Union will allow network control and circuit provisioning to be opened up to outsiders, including competitors and users. This complexity of the emerging 5G architecture will present an abundance of opportunities for practitioners and open up exciting new vistas of research.