Integrated Transport Networks

With the significant increase in RAN capacity, diversification of frequencies and access options, the use of third-party undependable transport networks, and higher demands for end-to-end time-sensitive networks, the traditionally well-dimensioned and statically allocated transport networks are replaced by dynamic, flexible networks, becoming a bottleneck. Because of this, inefficiencies and reliability issues now extend beyond radio, affecting the backhaul across multiple transport networks.

Integrated 6G Data Path and Transport Networks
Integrated 6G Data Path and Transport Networks Fraunhofer FOKUS

With multiple wired, wireless and space options available, transport networks are not anymore fixed. Instead, they are providing different types of services, with potential momentary abnormal exceptional behaviors.

Still with the developments towards eXtended Reality (XR), the 6G connectivity services must be made dependable on top of undependable backhauls.

  • Data flows should be transmitted with the expected delay and capacity over the “flexible” backhauls
  • Procedures should function no matter of the packet loss or delay across the backhaul
  • Secure connectivity across the backhauls

For this, we need to define a new 6G interface between the 6G control plane and the control of the various transport networks enabling the cross-layer adaptation and optimization:

  • Data path events: availability, capacity, congestion
  • 6G core network resources reservation not only in the RAN but also in the transport network
  • Transport network aware data flow routing policies, steering, switching, splitting
  • Enabling end-to-end deterministic communication