Applications of self-interference cancellation in 5G and beyond

TLDR

Self‑interference cancellation overturns the long‑held assumption that radios must operate in half‑duplex on a channel, and its fundamental nature promises a profound impact on 5G and future networks. The study aims to explore how self‑interference cancellation can support 5G’s evolution toward denser heterogeneous networks by enabling higher link capacity, spectrum virtualization, ADD, novel relays, and improved interference coordination. Self‑interference cancellation not only enables true in‑band full duplex, effectively doubling spectral efficiency, but also simplifies spectrum management, renders legacy ecosystems such as TD‑LTE obsolete, and allows future networks to exploit fragmented spectrum.

Abstract

Self-interference cancellation invalidates a long-held fundamental assumption in wireless network design that radios can only operate in half duplex mode on the same channel. Beyond enabling true in-band full duplex, which effectively doubles spectral efficiency, self-interference cancellation tremendously simplifies spectrum management. Not only does it render entire ecosystems like TD-LTE obsolete, it enables future networks to leverage fragmented spectrum, a pressing global issue that will continue to worsen in 5G networks. Self-interference cancellation offers the potential to complement and sustain the evolution of 5G technologies toward denser heterogeneous networks and can be utilized in wireless communication systems in multiple ways, including increased link capacity, spectrum virtualization, any-division duplexing (ADD), novel relay solutions, and enhanced interference coordination. By virtue of its fundamental nature, self-interference cancellation will have a tremendous impact on 5G networks and beyond.