| Network densification, and the use of millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequency bands for wireless communication are the most promising means to meet the huge data-rate requirement for future generation cellular networks. A Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN), where low-power, low-complexity remote radio heads (RRHs) coordinated by a central unit (CU) are deployed over a target area to serve many users, provides a cost-effective way to achieve network densification. In CRAN, the RRHs are connected to the CU via limited-capacity links termed the fronthaul. However, in practice, the large amount of information transferred between each RRH and the CU for centralized processing can easily exceed its fronthaul capacity, especially in dense networks. In this thesis, we consider several novel architectures for CRAN in order to address the practical issue of fronthaul data rate limitation by leveraging mmWave communication, content caching at the RRHs, and RRHs with hybrid processing capability and advanced antenna equipment. We propose efficient algorithms for optimized resource allocation for these novel CRAN architectures. |
