Abstract

The development of reliable smart cities falls under the functionalities 5G implementations offer: Wi-Fi, video surveillance, and sensor operations require the low-latency, rapid connections 5G offers. But cities require a wireless backhaul to support the desired functions. Evenly distributed, the city has a network of hidden cables within base stations and edge nodes, connecting to the core. In tested, dense, urban settings, we work to find an optimal balance of low space/heat/cost with data demand to maximize output within the wireless backhaul. The links' performance of three tested candidates, mmWave, sub-6 GHz, and free space optical, is analyzed to find optimal performance and trade-offs. Complex, real-time features constructed from the three candidates increase output data for requests and reduce latency, improving service under high demand. The simulations demonstrate the efficacy of the flexible, planned backhaul in minimizing latency and dropout rates and increasing data for high-demand applications such as smart grids, autonomous vehicles, and augmented/virtual reality displays. Taken as a whole, our work highlights a flexible, robust backhaul as the unseen backbone that will truly enable 5G-built smart cities to stand out and shine.