Enabling Adaptable Future Networks: Trade-Offs and Resource Allocation Problems

Abstract

In this thesis, we illuminate the various trade-offs arising from the trend towards customisable networks, and propose resource allocation procedures to balance these trade-offs and facilitate the necessary coexistence of Radio Access Technologies (RATs) required to enable adaptable future networks. The problems we address in this thesis can be stated in the form of the following research questions: 1) What choices do the range of proposed RATs and system-level techniques afford operators in the context of enabling an adaptable network? 2) How can the diverse use cases in future networks be satisfied through the coexistence of multiple waveforms, with each service employing a waveform that is best suited for it? 3) What are the implications of a system comprising tailored virtual networks on radio resource allocation and admission control? 4) How can the twin goals of slice-tailored performance and increased resource utilisation in network slicing be simultaneously realised in future networks? To address these questions we apply a range of analytical tools, including optimisation, matching theory, and stochastic analysis. We verify our results using large-scale system-level simulations where possible.