Key Technologies and Development Trends of 5G Optical Networks

With the development of 5G, 5G optical networks have gradually received increasing attention from scholars. However, most studies have focused on discussing the technical or market aspect. Furthermore, their findings have not provided a panorama of the technologies in the 5G domain, nor have they provided a detailed understanding of the key technologies and development trends. An optical network is an indispensable type of infrastructure for the development of 5G. Therefore, defining key technologies in this domain is particularly crucial. The present study used patents for 5G optical networks as the basis of its analysis and constructed a technology network using a network analysis method. Research results indicated that the key technologies provided by 5G optical networks include wireless communication network facilities and local resource management (H04W88 and H04W72), selection arrangements for multiplex systems (H04Q11), and arrangements enabling multiple uses of the transmission path (H04L5). The maturation of optical component technology has paved the way for multiplex communication system technology to flourish and made it one of the key technologies in the development of 5G. Additionally, an analysis of top patentees revealed that information technology companies are the main force in developing 5G optical network technologies. Thus, driven by the market, 5G optical communication has become the technical focus of the private sector. In this study, the researchers constructed a technology network model to explore the technology development trends, and the results may serve as a reference for the government in observing emerging technologies.