An intelligent SDN framework for 5G heterogeneous networks

TLDR

5G mobile networks face the challenge of improving system capacity while meeting dynamic service demands, and heterogeneous networks (HetNets) with many low‑power nodes offer a promising solution. The study proposes an SDN‑based intelligent model to efficiently manage HetNet infrastructure and resources. The authors review current SDN standards and extensions, highlight SDN’s advantages for dynamic 5G services, and design schemes for traffic control, subscriber management, and resource allocation. Performance analysis demonstrates that the proposed system is reliable, scalable, and implementable.

Abstract

In fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks, a major challenge is to effectively improve system capacity and meet dynamic service demands. One promising technology to solve this problem is heterogeneous networks (HetNets), which involve a large number of densified low power nodes (LPNs). This article proposes a software defined network (SDN) based intelligent model that can efficiently manage the heterogeneous infrastructure and resources. In particular, we first review the latest SDN standards and discuss the possible extensions. We then discuss the advantages of SDN in meeting the dynamic nature of services and requirements in 5G HetNets. Finally, we develop a variety of schemes to improve traffic control, subscriber management, and resource allocation. Performance analysis shows that our proposed system is reliable, scalable, and implementable.