The central aim of the project is to examine the advantages and challenges of bringing an Ethernet based optical fibre fronthaul to fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks, considering the benefits of such an architecture and its effects on performance on key 5G service aims such as device-to-device (D2D) communications and mobile cloud networking.
Dr Nathan Gomes, the project’s coordinator, said “This is an exciting project which can help build the foundations for much future 5G network research and development. The ideas have already generated considerable interest in the research community – now the partners have to surmount the not inconsiderable challenges involved. It builds on other 5G research projects announced in October, NIRVANA, a £926,417 EPSRC project led by Kent, and RAPID, an EU-Japan H2020 project for which Kent receives €289,500 funding. It underlines our importance as a centre for 5G research.”
A kick-off meeting for iCIRRUS is scheduled in Canterbury on 5th February.