Decoupled U/C plane architecture for HetNets and high speed mobility: research directions & challenges

The goal of this paper is to explore the evolution of Heterogeneous Networks (HetN ets) and their move towards SG in robust high speed mobile wireless networks. The recent advent of SG provides concepts for low-latency and high capacity network solutions that can be integrated into fast moving architectures. However, the challenges in deploying and utilizing the conventional HetNets have led to new architectures that address the disparate needs of user and control traffic, particularly the concept of decoupling user and control plane operations. The aim of this design goal is to enhance the reliability in narrowband low frequency channels used for high-priority control traffic, while allocating the high-volume user traffic burden into wideband high frequency channels. Inherent in this paradigm shift, however, there exists a wide range of unique design challenges. Thus, in this paper we explore the advantages of User/Control Decoupled Architectures (UCDA) compared to Software Defined Networks (SDN), Cognitive Radio (CR), and the Long Term Evolution (LTE) architecture, as well as their respective disadvantages in high speed mobility scenario.