Data-driven antenna selection and distributed processing for cell-free architectures

5G mobile networks will be soon available to handle all types of applications and to provide service to massive numbers of users. In this complex and dynamic network ecosystem, an end-to-end performance analysis and optimization will be key features, in order to effectively manage the diverse requirements imposed by multiple vertical industries over the same shared infrastructure. At the network design domain, this PhD targets the development of novel cell-free based solutions that allows the significant scaling of wireless APs in a cost-effective manner by exploiting the application of the distributed cell-free concept and of the serial fronthaul approach, while contributing innovative functionalities to the O-RAN project. At the network and service management domain, this PhD aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the management of the entire set of communication and computational network resources by exploiting novel ML-based algorithms of both edge and midhaul data centers.