5G cellular networks are coming and they need to cope with major challenges in meeting the demands of large populations.

The rapid increase of mobile devices, wireless connections and the emerging internet services related to applications with very diverse communication requirements (e.g., Smart grid, m-health, Smart cities), raised the need of higher capacity and more energy efficient networks with improved coverage capabilities.

According to the 5G Public-Private Partnership (5GPPP) recently formed by the European Commission (EC), 5G networks should be capable of providing 1000 times higher capacity with 0% downtime, enabling the roll-out of very dense wireless networks that are able to connect over 7 trillion devices amongst 7 billion people.

5G STEP FWD aims at proposing, studying, optimizing, quantitatively assessing and comparing advantages and disadvantages of hybrid fiber – wireless architectures, topologies and technologies, which will significantly shape 5G standards and will enable the requested 1000 times increase of spectral efficiency and 90% reduction of energy consumption.

IQUADRAT INFORMATICA SL, Spain

TU/e will mainly perform research in the domain of convergence of optical fiber communications with mm wave wireless communications for 5G Networks with emphasis on physical layer design, and multiplexing and modulation formats.

Research: The two Early Stage Researchers (ESR) employed within 5G STEP FWD at TU/e will work on:

ESR 11: i) design and optimization of a converged mm wave-UDWDM PON configuration in a dense urban area, by identifying the physical-layer requirements of the fiber-based network for the support of wireless users. ii) design and test the Central Office for the converged network, and iii) generic research in 5G and beyond fiber-wireless convergence.

ESR 12: on i) new modulation/demodulation techniques for the transmission of mm wave signals through the optical network that incorporates ultra-dense wavelength spacing and ii) design the interface between the optical network unit (ONU) and the small-cell antenna, and iii) generic research in 5G and beyond fiber-wireless convergence.