According to the project – called 5G XHaul – its goal is to find solutions to the growing demand for broadband. It will have a particular focus on establishing dynamically adaptive communication for transport hubs and at major events.
5G XHaul – part of the 5G Infrastructure Public Private Partnership (5G-PPP) – will be co-ordinated by Innovations for High Performance Microelectronics (IHP).Dr Eckhard Grass from IHP said: “5G-XHaul will help to ensure that every smart phone owner can rely on an uninterrupted network connection with a high data rate.” Initially, the project is proposing a converged optical and wireless network solution that can connect small cells to the core network flexibly. “Exploiting user mobility,” Dr Grass continued, “our solution allows the dynamic allocation of network resources to predicted and actual hotspots.”
Field trials are already underway, including the Open project in Bristol, where Blu Wireless Technology is trialling the use of its 60GHz modules to provide wireless backhaul. Mark Barrett, CMO of Blu Wireless Technology, said of the project, “XHaul is an exciting collaboration set up to establish the ways that networks of the future will operate. For Bristol is Open, Blu Wireless is deploying its mm wave technology to extend the fibre network.Millimetre wave wireless technology will form a key aspect of 5G and we are very pleased to be involved with this important project”.
