Resilience of 5G Networks in the Presence of Unlicensed Spectrum and Non-Terrestrial Networks

Abstract

The 5G wireless network is geared to provide greater capacity, increased energy efficiency and lower latency. A critical issue in service delivery is to provide resilience in 5G networks. In this work, we envision an environment where 5G network resilience is addressed in the presence of unlicensed spectrum and non-terrestrial networks. We present a framework for network survivability with network virtualization with multiple providers, and the use of unlicensed spectrum band and non-terrestrial network (NTN); this is done along with a self organizing ad hoc network among the gNBs that may use a secondary provider for network resilience when the aggregation network and the backhaul network fails. In this architecture, we present an optimization model for survivability for a 5G networks provider (primary provider) that may also use a secondary provider in the event of a failure along with unlicensed spectrum and NTN. Our simulations show (1) the trade-off between using a primary providers own network or rely on auxiliary capacity from the secondary provider, and (2) the use of unlicensed spectrum band and NTN enhances resilience of the network.