Integrated Access and Backhaul in 5G with Aerial Distributed Unit using OpenAirInterface

Abstract

In this work, we propose an UAV-aided Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) system design offering 5G connectivity to ground users. UAV is integrated with a distributed unit (DU) acting as an aerial DU, which can provide 5G wireless backhaul access to a terrestrial central unit (CU). The CU-DU interface fully complies with the 3GPP defined F1 application protocol (F1AP). Such aerial DU can be instantiated and configured dynamically, tailoring to the network demands. The complete radio and access network solution is based on open-source software from OpenAirInterface (OAI) and off-the-shelf commercial 5G mobile terminals. Experimental results illustrate throughput gains and coverage extension brought by the aerial DU.