Design framework and suitability assessment proposal for 5G air interface candidates

摘要

This paper proposes a unified way of describing 5G air interface (AI) design proposals using a 5G service/frequency map based on work carried out as part of 5G-PPP/H2020 project “METIS-II”. It then crucially proposes a design framework and suitability assessment process for 5G AI candidates. The proposed assessment methodology focuses on “harmonization Key Performance Indicators, or KPIs” and how to measure them (qualitatively / quantitatively). The paper proposes that evaluation of 5G AI candidates should, in addition to performance, include the “extent of harmonization”, which is defined in this paper. The case is argued that these harmonization KPIs are essential when assessing new 5G AI technologies. Additionally, an initial overview of different User Plane aggregation approaches is provided. We then discuss the types of Application Program Interfaces (APIs) which may need to be offered to higher layers, as well as a broad set of 5G Control Plane features and how AI considerations could take these into account.