Keywords | 5G, Internet of Things, Multiaccess edge computing, Slicing, Software Define Networking, Wireless Communications |
Background | The emerging 5G standard has the potential to revolutionize wireless communications. 5G is expected to enable a quantum leap in performance. The focus of 5G is on enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC). 5G also specifies improved solutions for Verticals, e.g. for Public Safety and Automotive (enhanced V2X).
The underlying improvement of performance in 5G includes the support of data rates of 10 to 20 Gbps, increased spectral efficiency, orders of magnitude more users and high Internet-of-Things (IoT) device densities. 5G will also support low-latency communication (sub-millisecond), energy efficiency, high availability and reliability and nearly universal coverage via 5G-SatCom integration. The first release of the 3GPP 5G standard (release 15) was approved in December 2017 and initial deployments are expected in 2019-2020. Further 5G work is going on for 3GPP Release 16 and 17.
Key technologies underlying 5G include 5G New Radio - with use of sub-6 GHz frequencies and the use of higher frequencies above 24 GHz (known as millimetre wave, mmWave), massive Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) approaches, multi-access edge computing, spectral aggregation, and separation of the control and data planes. The access technologies for 5G are numerous from terrestrial wireless connectivity, high altitude platforms, and satellite communications.
Security has been a concern as the move towards reliance on software logic to management network operation and the introduction of edge computing to realise latency reduction increases the attack surface. Also the use of open source software is prominent in the management of 5G networks. Security concerns include edge security, cloud radio access network, SDN controller, Hypervisor, proactive security analytics, network slicing security and others. The idea of zero trust security models could offer solution to vulnerability, but at potential cost in complexity.
Finally, 5G also has the potential to introduce another level of network management complexity that could require the provisioning of resources within military deployed communications units to effective provision military owned 5G networks. The need to address, with technological innovation, the self-provisioning and management of networks is a field that requires examination.
This RTG is a follow-up of IST-ET-096. This report provides an analysis of the relevance of next generation 5G technologies to defence scenarios and the communication systems in mission area: 1) enhanced services in deployed tactical communications; 2) overlaid commercial communication systems; and 3) strategic wireless and Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) communications. In 5G Release 16 and beyond, the following scenarios and functionalities were identified as relevant: 1) Extreme coverage (for IoT); 2) SatCom/HAP integration; 3) Mission Critical Services over 5G; 4) massive IoT; 5) Access network sharing on a multi-national base using 5G; 6) MoD as an operator to provide slices to different forces, for example, navy, army, military police etc. over the same 5G infrastructure; 7) potential for address the mitigating the complexity of network management introduced by 5G technologies. |
Objectives | Amongst the diverse range of 5G technologies, the focus of this RTG would be to investigate the ones that have desired applications with respect to the Military domain, like:
1. Network Slicing/Software Defined Networking: Higher virtualization of networks providing flexibility to simultaneously run different applications over the same hardware resources. Proper segmentation of the slices and robust protocols to make them secure and safe for military applications.
2. Massive multi-Input multi-Output (MIMO) / Full Duplex: Improved spatial diversity and efficient spectral utilization. Efficient interference and noise cancellation techniques.
3. Extreme long-range coverage in low-density areas: Effective beamforming and optimal power division techniques. Robust HARQ and channel codes to establish more reliable long-range connections.
4. Diverse mobility management for edge scenarios: Improve distributed networks by better edge based computing. Powerful edge nodes to provide connectivity over long-range communications. Utilization of multi-access edge computing and the ability to make machine speed decisions based on policy rules
5. Joint Effects System: Connectivity with sensors of different types to aid in decision-making. The ability of the network to issue commands to effectors (e.g. IoT) devices to provide a physical effect through 5G and beyond 5G standards. Efficient multiplexing and inter-operability amongst the eMBB, uRLLC and mMTC channels.
6. Security Mechanisms: Military security mitigation measures to address security vulnerabilities. Efficient Jamming mitigation techniques. Clandestine waveforms in the mmWave domain for sensitive military communications
In all the aforementioned technologies, the focus would be to:
a) Develop or identify military scenarios that are likely to benefit from this 5G capability.
b) Perform a 5G technology gap analysis from current industry mechanisms and identify additional countermeasure requirements for further research that are specific to military scenarios.
c) Track and follow 5G standardization and introduce any requirements, if appropriate and possible.
d). Develop military simulation models and perform simulations. |
Topics | The focus will be on the applicability of 5G functionality in military scenarios with use of 5G technology in operations include deployed/tactical areas:
1) Technologies such as Network Slicing, massive multi-input/multi-output (MIMO), software defined networking;
2) Extreme long-range coverage in low-density areas;
3) Diverse mobility management for traffic offloading of the core network in case of edge (computing) scenarios.
4) Joint Effects Network
5) Potential security measures to provide mitigation to threats not normally present in civilian applications.
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