Energy efficient 5G RAN topologies for autonomous vehicles on highways: Research landscape and future prospects

Abstract

This study explores energy-efficient 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) topologies tailored to support high-mobility autonomous vehicle (AV) operations on highways. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted on 50 peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2024. The review focused on identifying strategies for optimizing energy usage in 5G RAN deployments, particularly under high-speed vehicular conditions. The review identified four dominant approaches: dynamic gNodeB deployment, advanced sleep mode techniques, energy-aware routing, and heterogeneous network integration. Additionally, it highlighted key limitations in the literature, including minimal use of renewable energy models, lack of cross-layer coordination, and limited real-world implementation. To address the identified gaps, the study proposes a Dynamic Energy-Aware Framework integrating AI-based traffic prediction, adaptive resource control, and sustainability-aware design principles. The proposed framework offers practical insights for researchers, engineers, and policymakers aiming to develop scalable, energy-efficient, and resilient mobile network infrastructures aligned with net-zero emission goals and next-generation AV connectivity requirements.