Multi-hop Relays for High Frequency Next Generation Wireless Systems

Recent development of wireless communication systems and standards is characterized by constant increase of allocated spectrum resources. Since lower frequency ranges cannot provide sufficient amount of bandwidth, new bands are allocated at higher frequencies, for which operators might resort to deploy more base stations to ensure the same coverage. Connecting increased number of base stations to the backhaul network with wired connections becomes a non-trivial task and requires more capital investments. To overcome this challenge, it is possible to consider relaying technologies. However, as the operating frequency range increases, so the relay communication range shrinks, which in turn calls for multi-hop relays.