Enhanced C-RAN Using D2D Network

With the surge in smartphone sensing, wireless networking, and mobile social networking techniques, mobile crowdsensing (MCS) has become a promising paradigm for 5G networks. An MCS system's service quality heavily depends on the platform, which brings the users under a common cloud with very low delay. Therefore, MCS needs a new platform that brings the best not only from the user's perspective, but also from the operator's perspective. In this article, we propose a novel architecture for MCS by combining two technologies, those being C-RAN and D2D. C-RAN is a promising enabling technology that can at the same time cope with the ever increasing mobile traffic demand and reduce the surging costs experienced by service operators. In spite of the many advantages offered by C-RAN, one of the main concerns for operators is its associated fronthaul delay. To handle such delay, we come across this D2D solution in C-RAN networks. D2D is adopted as an effective candidate for very low delay between links and has already provided evidence of its potential for novel business opportunities. This article shows, together with standardization aspects, how combining C-RAN and D2D technologies can help to solve the delay issue and fulfill most of the targets specified for 5G networks in terms of delay, capacity, energy efficiency, mobility, and cost.