The emerging 5th generation and beyond wireless systems will experience a significant increase in the number of connected devices and high volume of data traffic. Additionally, high traffic load variations among heterogeneous network cells over time pose an extra challenge, due to the possible asymmetric traffic and dynamics between the uplink and downlink communications. Full-duplex (FD) technology, by which devices transmit and receive simultaneously on the same frequency band, can potentially double the spectral efficiency and allow a more flexible use of the spectrum, therefore making it a promising technology for future wireless networks. However, FD radios suffer from severe self-interference (SI), as well as extra cross interference between the uplink and downlink caused by simultaneous transmissions, which further degrades the overall network performance. To this end, many research groups around the world have proposed new transceiver designs, implemented advanced FD prototypes and have shown that SI can be suppressed almost down to the noise floor. Recently, some realistic field trials have already been completed in order to bring FD technology a step closer to practice. All these accomplishments show the feasibility of FD and its applicability for future wireless networks. Despite these fundamental results and achievements, still there are many challenges and open problems to resolve on FD operation. In order to achieve the full potential of FD transmission, it is necessary to cope with the self-interference and develop new mechanisms and efficient protocols, while reducing the energy consumption due to the required additional hardware.
Continuing the scientific discourse and dialogue with the industry started at IEEE ICC 2017, Paris, the second Workshop on Full-Duplex Communications for Future Wireless Networks at IEEE Globecom 2017, Singapore, will present the latest original research on FD techniques, protocols, and applications exploring all aspects of future wireless network design.