Abstract: The caching method for F-RAN based communications in a mmWave communication system includes receiving a request for a network function generated from a requesting mobile station at a layer-two fog node closest to the requesting mobile station. In a clustered caching method, the network functions a cached on a layer-three cluster fog node servicing a cluster or layer two fog nodes. In a distributed caching method, a single, unique network function is cached on each of the layer-two fog nodes in the cluster, which are serially polled until the requested network function. The requested network function is executed at the layer-two or layer three fog node having the network function cached thereon in order to reduce fronthaul communications with layer four cloud nodes for greater efficiency.

Abstract: The initial beam access method for a mobile station in a mmWave cellular network having a base station and multiple mobile stations includes a method having steps of probing a channel for information about the base station from the multiple mobile stations; receiving information from the multiple mobile stations on the direction of the base station in relation to a reference point; and adjusting the direction of the base station based on the received information and the reference point using a digital compass.