Bridging the Urban-Rural Broadband Connectivity Gap using 5G Enabled HAPs Communication Exploiting TVWS Spectrum

Abstract

As with previous generations of mobile cellular networks, rural regions are projected to face financial and technological challenges in deploying 5G services. At the time, researchers all around the world are investigating the feasibility of utilizing TV White Spaces (TVWS). TVWS is an underutilized/unused section of television spectrum that might be used as a low-cost alternative to typical licensed wired/wireless broadband networks, as well as to bridge the broadband service availability gap between rural and urban regions. A feasible alternative is to deliver TVWS services via High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) for many developed and developing nations to deliver broadband services to a large proportion of their rural and low-income populations. This article examines the advantages of utilizing TVWS spectrum from HAPs as well as the challenges connected with this type of communication architecture. This article examines the advantages of leveraging TVWS spectrum from HAPs as well as the challenges that come with this type of communication architecture. They distribute messages across a large region while monitoring and optimizing radio resource allocation, owing to their position in the sky and the centralized design of the communication system. The article assesses the performance of such a system using the IEEE 802.22 standard and the ITU-R P.452 free space path-loss model. Moreover, this article pointed out the main challenge of using TVWS spectrum from HAP system.

Performance Optimization of High-Altitude Platform Wireless Communication Network Exploiting TVWS Spectrums Based on Modified PSO

“…Ethiopian wireless telecommunications coverage is now centered mostly in urban and suburban areas. In Ethiopia, rural regions account for more than 80% of the population [9]. Unfortunately, in rural areas, terrestrial communication systems are commercially unviable due to unreasonably high deployment costs and low user density.…”

“…It is critical to provide a robust and cheap internet infrastructure capable of connecting such a vast number of individuals and assisting them in improving their economic situation. In this context, developing technologies such as TVWS, the Global System for Mobile White Spaces (GSMWS), visible light communication [11], adoption of open/virtualized/cloud-native systems [12], and HAP [9], [10] and [13] may open up new options. According to studies [9], [10], and [13], using HAPs to supply telecommunications services is a financially feasible option.…”

“…In this context, developing technologies such as TVWS, the Global System for Mobile White Spaces (GSMWS), visible light communication [11], adoption of open/virtualized/cloud-native systems [12], and HAP [9], [10] and [13] may open up new options. According to studies [9], [10], and [13], using HAPs to supply telecommunications services is a financially feasible option.…”

“…HAPs are manned or unmanned aeronautical platforms that are used for wireless applications and are normally located between 17 and 22 kilometers in altitude. The authors of [9], [10], and [13] stress that better delivery of healthcare and educational services, community growth and small business expansion, prevention of rural-urban migration, and the interaction of communication infrastructure with different services are all common advantages of broadband penetration in rural nations. The literature referenced in [9], [10], and [13] proved the benefits of HAPs for overcoming specific wireless communication challenges over terrestrial wireless and satellite systems.…”

“…The estimates appropriately represent the cost advantage of HAPs over terrestrial systems. A macrocell with a radius of 1 km is projected to cost about 168 000 euros (9.744 million Birr) to build, run, and maintain [9] and [10]. For a 30km radius of continuous coverage, at least 900 of these macrocells are needed.…”