5G Mobile: Spectrum Broadening to Higher-Frequency Bands to Support High Data Rates

Next-generation [fifth-generation (5G)] mobile systems are broadening their spectrum to higher-frequency bands (above 6 GHz) to support a high data rate up to multigigabits per second. In this article, we have two main contributions to higher-frequency communications. First, we summarize the candidate frequency bands that are promising for 5G research, including licensed and unlicensed frequency bands. Second, a new network architecture for higher-frequency communications is proposed, which is featured with load-centric backhauling (LCB), multiple-frequency transmission, and intelligent control techniques.