5G physical layer and hardware implementation concepts, e.g.

• waveforms, synchronization, numerology, unified frame structure concepts

• effect of hardware impairments on the PHY design, means for ultra low-latency and ultra high-reliability, native support of D2D V2X and multi-cast

• low-complexity massive MIMO solutions and enablers, solutions for contention-based acces (TDD/FDD, pilot contamination, antenna correlations etc)

MAC, RLC, PDCP and RRC concepts, in particular related to a an efficient integration of multiple novel 5G air interfaces among each other, and with evolved legacy technology.

• Novel resource management concepts for a wider range of service and QoS requirements and novel communication forms such as D2D, or spectrum sharing (LSA, ASA

• Novel initial access and mobility concepts, in particular in the context of the integration and co-location of multiple novel and legacy air interface in 5G

• Novel multi-connectivity approaches and related enablers

Backhaul/fronthaul design and capabilities for multi-tier ultradense heterogeneous small cell networks

• Joint design and optimization of radio access and backhaul/fronthaul networks

• Optimized backhaul/ fronthaul integration (wireline or wireless) and control

• Backhauling and fronthauling options for a split control and data plane

RAN Architecture concepts associated to the overall control plane and user plane design such as:

• E2E Network slicing, in particular its impact to the RAN

• Novel 5G RAN Interfaces, CN/RAN interface, functional placement

• Concepts associated to the impact of SDN/NFV to the 5G RAN design

Energy efficiency assessment of the 5G RAN
Business models and techno-economic assessment