MAC, RRM and RAN management

The aim of this research is to optimise the use of resources within a resource limited network and to orchestrate resources from different networks while satisfying the quality of experience requirements of each user. We also apply advanced technologies such as ambient sensing and Artificial Intelligence to manage the complexity of future radio access networks such as 5G+ and 6G.

Overview

We investigate better radio resource management to achieve higher spatial reuse through dense small cell deployment and flexible access. Our research scope includes medium access control (MAC) protocol design for small cells, multiple radio access technologies (multi-RATs), spectrum sharing in heterogeneous networks (HetNets), and radio access network (RAN) architecture design for efficient operation. We also pay attention to the energy efficiency of the network operations.

While the solutions will introduce more sophisticated and organised management of radio resource, we seek self-configuration and automation in network operation to address complexity as RANs evolve towards 6G. Our research work also explores advanced techniques such as ambient sensing and Artificial Intelligence to deal with the increasing complexity in radio resource and network management for the existing and emerging radio access technologies such as new HetNet structure, cell-less massive MIMO, Reflecting Intelligent Surface (RIS aka LIS), THz communications, integrated terrestrial/satellite access, geolocation and others.

Our target is to design solutions that give:

  • Higher overall network capacity and flexibility
  • Lower energy consumption with better energy efficiency
  • Zero touch in network configuration and management.

Get in contact

If you are interested in this research or have a query then please contact the project lead.

Chuan Foh profile image

Dr Chuan Foh

Project lead for MAC, RRM and RAN management