Resilient optical backbone for robust and disaster-tolerant 5G networks: a critical review and solution
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Harpreet Kaur
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Rajinder Singh Kaler
Abstract
5G communication networks rely heavily on optical fiber backbones for high capacity and low latency. Natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and fires pose severe threats to infrastructure, causing fiber cuts, power outages, and equipment failures that can disrupt services when they are needed most. This paper presents comprehensive study of resilient optical network design for disaster-resistant 5G infrastructure. We review various disasters and their impacts on 5G networks, and we analyze resilient optical architectures (mesh topologies, ring networks, dual-homing of nodes, software-defined networking) that enhance survivability. We explore fault protection mechanisms like Automatic Protection Switching (APS) for fast failover, dynamic rerouting through intelligent control planes, and geographic route diversity to prevent single points of failure. Real-world case studies, including global and Indian examples, show both successes and shortcomings during disasters. To address these challenges, we propose a 5G optical transport network design with hybrid mesh-ring topology, dual-homed links, and SDN-based adaptive restoration for resilient recovery. Key challenges like cost, complexity, and operational constraints are examined, and future directions are outlined, including AI-driven network management, Beyond 5G (B5G) integration of satellite/FSO (Free Space Optics) links, and quantum-safe communications for secure and resilient networks. The goal is to guide the development of 5G and beyond communication infrastructures to maintain essential connectivity even amid large-scale disasters.
Acknowledgments
The authors are greatly thankful to the optical research lab provided by the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology for carrying out our research.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: The authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Data availability: Not applicable.
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