Small cell base stations (SBSs) in 5G and beyond networks will play multiple roles in addition to radio access, and will be deployed in a very high density. They can facilitate mobile edge computing (MEC), such that SBSs can store, process, and control network data signals, becoming important elements in ultra-dense networks (UDNs). However, intercell interference may jeopardize the gains from network densification, and thus coordinated multi-point (CoMP) transmission is important in UDNs. MEC and CoMP are different technologies, but they can work jointly to benefit UDNs. In this article, we aim to bridge the gap between MEC and CoMP based on three MEC functions. We will show that CoMP transmission reduces UDN complexity and transmission delay with collaboration among MEC servers in UNDs. In return, MEC-enabled UDNs can alleviate the backhaul pressure on CoMP transmission and make it possible to implement scalable CoMP.

中文翻译：

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具有移动边缘计算的超密集网络下行链路协调多点传输


5G 及更高版本网络中的小蜂窝基站 (SBS) 除无线接入外还将发挥多种作用，并将以非常高的密度部署。它们可以促进移动边缘计算（MEC），使SBS可以存储、处理和控制网络数据信号，成为超密集网络（UDN）中的重要元素。然而，小区间干扰可能会损害网络致密化带来的收益，因此协调多点（CoMP）传输在 UDN 中非常重要。 MEC 和 CoMP 是不同的技术，但它们可以共同工作以使 UDN 受益。在本文中，我们的目标是基于三个 MEC 功能弥合 MEC 和 CoMP 之间的差距。我们将展示 CoMP 传输通过 UND 中的 MEC 服务器之间的协作降低 UDN 复杂性和传输延迟。反过来，支持MEC的UDN可以减轻CoMP传输的回程压力，并使得实现可扩展的CoMP成为可能。