Millimeter-Wave (mm-Wave) Radio Access Networks (RANs) are a promising solution to tackle the overcrowding of the sub-6 GHz spectrum, offering wider and underutilized bands. However, they are characterized by inherent technical challenges, such as a limited propagation range and blockage losses caused by obstacles. Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) are two technologies devised to face these challenges. This work analyzes the optimal network layout of RANs equipped with IAB and RIS in real urban scenarios using MILP formulations to derive practical design guidelines. In particular, it shows how optimizing the peak user throughput of such networks improves the achievable peak throughput, compared to the traditional mean-throughput maximization approaches, without actually sacrificing mean throughputs. In addition, it indicates star-like topologies as the best network layout to achieve the highest peak throughputs.

翻译：毫米波无线接入网是解决6 GHz以下频谱拥塞问题的有前景方案，能提供更宽且未充分利用的频段。然而，这类网络存在固有技术挑战，例如传播距离有限以及障碍物造成的链路阻断损失。集成接入与回程（IAB）与可重构智能超表面（RIS）是应对这些挑战的两项技术。本研究采用混合整数线性规划（MILP）模型，基于真实城市场景分析配备IAB与RIS的无线接入网最优网络布局，以推导实用设计准则。研究特别表明：相比传统平均吞吐量最大化方法，优化此类网络的峰值用户吞吐量能在不牺牲平均吞吐量的前提下提升可达峰值吞吐量。此外，研究指出星形拓扑是实现最高峰值吞吐量的最优网络布局。