An Efficient Resource Allocation Mechanism for LTE–GEPON Converged Networks

Optical–wireless convergence is becoming popular as one of the most efficient access network designs that provides quality of service (QoS) guaranteed, uninterrupted, and ubiquitous access to end users. The integration of passive optical networks (PONs) with next-generation wireless access networks is not only a promising integration option but also a cost-effective way of backhauling the next generation wireless access networks. The QoS performance of the PON–wireless converged network can be improved by taking the advantages of the features in both network segments for bandwidth resources management. In this paper, we propose a novel resource allocation mechanism for long term evolution–Gigabit Ethernet PON (LTE–GEPON) converged networks that improves the QoS performance of the converged network. The proposed resource allocation mechanism takes the advantage of the ability to forecast near future packet arrivals in the converged networks. Moreover, it also strategically leverages the inherited features and the frame structures of both the LTE network and GEPON, to manage the available bandwidth resources more efficiently. Using extensive simulations, we show that our proposed resource allocation mechanism improves the delay and jitter performance in the converged network while guarantying the QoS for various next generation broadband services provisioned for both wireless and wired end users. Moreover, we also analyze the dependency between different parameters and the performance of our proposed resource allocations scheme.     

Immune optimization algorithm for solving joint call admission control problem in next-generation wireless network

The integration of radio access networks with different radio access technologies (RATs) is one of the remarkable characteristics of the next-generation wireless networks (NGWNs). In NGWN, the users with multi-network interface terminals should be able to select independently radio access network to obtain the best service. Therefore, joint call admission control (JCAC) schemes are required to select the most appropriate radio access network (RAN) for incoming calls. We propose an immune algorithm-based JCAC (IA-JCAC) scheme with users centric in order to enhance user's satisfaction. However, JCAC algorithms with users centric can lead to highly unbalanced traffic load among the available RANs in NGWN because users act independently, and most of them may prefer to be connected through a particular RAN. Highly unbalanced traffic load in NGWN will result in high overall call blocking/dropping probability and poor radio result utilization. To solve this problem, we employ dynamic pricing for balancing traffic load among available RANs in heterogeneous wireless networks where users' preferences are considered in decision-making on RAT selection. The proposed IA-based JCAC scheme is compared with another scheme that does not use the dynamic pricing on the performance. The simulation result shows the effectiveness of the proposed IA-JCAC scheme is improved significantly.     

组合网--第三代网络之上的一个台阶

由于当今技术的发展 ,形形色色基于数据通信的服务也相应而出。例如 ,基于多媒体的远程教育或影视节目、可视电话以及基于网络的交互式电子游戏。然而目前所有的无线网络都是针对某种特定的服务而设计及优化的 ,各个无线网络有着不同的特性。例如 ,不同的无线网支持的带宽不同 ,对应用软件提供的服务质量不同 ,对终端移动性支持的程度不同 ,以及为传输每比特所花费的代价不同。每一个无线网可有效地支持一种或几种数据服务。然而 ,没有一个无线网络可有效地支持所有基于数据通信的服务。不仅如此 ,在欧洲、美洲及亚洲即将推出的第三代无线网络也不能满足所有数据通信的要求。因此 ,如今科技发展的方向是 :将各种用于不同服务的无线网络融合成一体来支持形形色色的数据服务[1～ 3 ] 。将阐述组合网的概念 ,描述组合网的结构 ,并且提出一个基于第三代无线网络之上的组合网。     

Link-level traffic scheduling for providing predictive QoS in wireless multimedia networks

A set of centralized burst-level cell scheduling schemes, namely, First Come First Served with Frame Reservation (FCFS-FR), FCFR-FR+, Earliest Deadline First with Frame Reservation (EDF-FR), EDF-FR+, and Multitraffic Dynamic Reservation (MTDR), are investigated for transmission of multiservice traffic over time division multiple access (TDMA)/time division duplex (TDD) channels in wireless ATM (WATM) networks. In these schemes, the number of time slots allocated to a virtual circuit (VC) during a frame-time is changed dynamically depending on the traffic type, system traffic load, the time of arrival (TOA)/time of expiry (TOE) value of the data burst and data burst length. The performances of these schemes are evaluated by computer simulation for realistic voice, video and data traffic models and their quality-of-service (QoS) requirements in a wireless mobile multimedia network. Both the error-free and the correlated fading channel conditions are considered. Simulation results show that the EDF-FR+ and MTDR schemes outperform the other schemes and can provide high channel utilization with predictive QoS guarantee in a multiservice traffic environment even in the presence of bursty channel errors. The EDF-FR+ scheme is found to provide better cell multiplexing performance than the MTDR scheme, Such a scheme would be easy to implement and would also result in a power conservative TDMA/TDD medium access control (MAC) protocol for broadband wireless access. Burst-level cell scheduling schemes such as EDF-FR+ can be easily adapted as MAC protocols in the emerging differentiated services (DS) enhanced wireless Internet protocol (IP) networks.     

Adaptive IPTV services based on a novel IP Multimedia Subsystem

Heterogeneous communication devices are emerging and changing the way of communication. Innovative multimedia applications are now accessible through these embedded systems. The 3GPP IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) provides a basic architecture framework for the Next Generation Network (NGN) supporting the convergence platform for service provisioning in heterogeneous networks. ETSI TISPAN standardization effort focuses on delivering IPTV services on such platform. Nevertheless, IPTV on IMS standardization suffers from a lack of efficient user-centric network management mechanisms as the end-user may consume IPTV service from different access networks, on different mobile devices, at anytime. User’s Perceived Quality of Service (PQoS) or Quality of Experience (QoE) of IPTV service may also suffer from wireless access network impairments. This paper introduces new functionalities in IPTV over IMS architecture which optimize satisfaction of the end-user and resource utilization of the operator’s networks. A context-sensitive User Profile (UP) model is used to deliver IPTV streams adapted to the user’s environment. In order to optimize the operator network usage, the impact of spatiotemporal dynamics of the video content on the deduced perceptual quality is considered. A Multimedia Content Management System (MCMS) is proposed to perform dynamic cross-layer adaptation of the IPTV stream based on PQoS measurements at the end-user side.     

Above packet level admission control and bandwidth allocation for IEEE 802.16 wireless MAN

IEEE 802.16 wireless Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is expected to revolutionize the broadband wireless access technology. Efficient resource management is essential in providing scalability in such large IEEE 802.16-based wireless network and Quality of Service (QoS) for multimedia applications (VoIP, MPEG, FTP, WWW) is usually achieved by appropriate classification of scheduling services and grant/request mechanism. In this paper, we firstly discuss the QoS issue in IEEE 802.16 wireless MANs and propose a dynamic admission control scheme for scheduling services defined in the 802.16 specification. The proposed scheme provides the highest priority for Unsolicited Grant Service (UGS) connections and maximizes the bandwidth utilization by employing bandwidth borrowing and degradation. We develop an approximate analytical model to evaluate the system performance by assuming that the traffic processes of all scheduling services are Poisson processes. In fact, the self-similarity of non-voice traffic makes its traffic process far from Poisson process and should be modeled by Poisson Pareto Burst Process (PPBP). Therefore, in the later part of the paper, we analyze upper bound blocking probabilities of all scheduling services above the packet level using PPBP model for fractal traffic and Gaussian model for aggregated traffic in large wireless network as well as using the Chernoff bound method. Based on the analytical results, we give another admission control and bandwidth allocation mechanism above the packet level so as to minimize the blocking probability of each type of service in IEEE 802.16 wireless MAN. Analytical and simulation results are obtained and compared to demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed schemes and validate our analytical models.     

Optimization of QoS parameters using scheduling techniques in heterogeneous network

Multimedia applications in wireless communication have been increased in recent years. A variety of wireless access technologies is introduced for various needs. The abundant increase in mobile computing devices and different networking systems leads to the support of user’s mobility on heterogeneous network. In general, the roaming users migrate between two different wireless technologies and their service must be supported by vertical handover (HO). Since the roaming users expect a rapid handover experience while switching from one wireless network to another, the handover operation must be enhanced by the networks. Various wireless technologies such as wireless LAN, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and the 3G Partnership Project (3GPP) are interlaced to support many wireless services in rural, urban, and global scenarios. Moreover, quality of service (QoS) has become more significant in many applications where wireless network resources are utilized. In this paper, a handover management scheme is proposed for QoS enhancement in roaming users between WiMAX and WLAN by subscribers of networks belonging to the 3GPP standards. The proposed algorithms genetic queuing, proportionally fair queuing, and WiMAX aware load balancing are analyzed in the scheduling process during handover. The simulation is implemented using NS–2 and the experimental results are obtained for the proposed algorithms and compared with the standard scheme.     

Reinforcement learning for context awareness and intelligence in wireless networks: Review, new features and open issues

In wireless networks, context awareness and intelligence are capabilities that enable each host to observe, learn, and respond to its complex and dynamic operating environment in an efficient manner. These capabilities contrast with traditional approaches where each host adheres to a predefined set of rules, and responds accordingly. In recent years, context awareness and intelligence have gained tremendous popularity due to the substantial network-wide performance enhancement they have to offer. In this article, we advocate the use of reinforcement learning (RL) to achieve context awareness and intelligence. The RL approach has been applied in a variety of schemes such as routing, resource management and dynamic channel selection in wireless networks. Examples of wireless networks are mobile ad hoc networks, wireless sensor networks, cellular networks and cognitive radio networks. This article presents an overview of classical RL and three extensions, including events, rules and agent interaction and coordination, to wireless networks. We discuss how several wireless network schemes have been approached using RL to provide network performance enhancement, and also open issues associated with this approach. Throughout the paper, discussions are presented in a tutorial manner, and are related to existing work in order to establish a foundation for further research in this field, specifically, for the improvement of the RL approach in the context of wireless networking, for the improvement of the RL approach through the use of the extensions in existing schemes, as well as for the design and implementation of RL in new schemes.     

Service level agreements (SLAs) parameter negotiation between heterogeneous 4G wireless network operators

We are currently witnessing a growing interest of network operators to migrate their existing 2G/3G networks to 4G technologies such as long-term evolution (LTE) to enhance the user experience and service opportunities in terms of providing multi-megabit bandwidth, more efficient use of radio networks, latency reduction, and improved mobility. Along with this, there is a strong deployment of packet data networks such as those based on IEEE 802.11 and 802.16 standards. Mobile devices are having increased capabilities to access many of these wireless networks types at the same time. Reinforcing quality of service (QoS) in 4G wireless networks will be a major challenge because of varying bit rates, channel characteristics, bandwidth allocation and global roaming support among heterogeneous wireless networks. As a mobile user moves across access networks, to the issue of mapping resource reservations between different networks to maintain QoS behavior becomes crucial. To support global roaming and interoperability across heterogeneous wireless networks, it is important for wireless network operators to negotiate service level agreement (SLA) contracts relevant to the QoS requirements. Wireless IP traffic modeling (in terms of providing assured QoS) is still immature because the majority of the existing work is merely based on the characterization of wireless IP traffic without investigating the behavior of queueing systems for such traffic. To overcome such limitations, we investigate SLA parameter negotiation among heterogeneous wireless network operators by focusing on traffic engineering and QoS together for 4G wireless networks. We present a novel mechanism that achieves service continuity through SLA parameter negotiation by using a translation matrix, which maps QoS parameters between different access networks. The SLA matrix composition is modeled analytically based on the G/M/1 queueing system. We evaluate the model using two different scheduling schemes and we derive closed form expressions for different QoS parameters for performance metrics such as packet delay and packet loss rate. We also develop a discrete event simulator and conduct a series of simulation experiments in order to understand the QoS behavior of corresponding traffic classes.     

Bandwidth Aggregation-Aware Dynamic QoS Negotiation for Real-Time Video Streaming in Next-Generation Wireless Networks

In next generation wireless networks, Internet service providers (ISPs) are expected to offer services through several wireless technologies (e.g., WLAN, 3G, WiFi, and WiMAX). Thus, mobile computers equipped with multiple interfaces will be able to maintain simultaneous connections with different networks and increase their data communication rates by aggregating the bandwidth available at these networks. To guarantee quality-of-service (QoS) for these applications, this paper proposes a dynamic QoS negotiation scheme that allows users to dynamically negotiate the service levels required for their traffic and to reach them through one or more wireless interfaces. Such bandwidth aggregation (BAG) scheme implies transmission of data belonging to a single application via multiple paths with different characteristics, which may result in an out-of-order delivery of data packets to the receiver and introduce additional delays for packets reordering. The proposed QoS negotiation system aims to ensure the continuity of QoS perceived by mobile users while they are on the move between different access points, and also, a fair use of the network resources. The performance of the proposed dynamic QoS negotiation system is investigated and compared against other schemes. The obtained results demonstrate the outstanding performance of the proposed scheme as it enhances the scalability of the system and minimizes the reordering delay and the associated packet loss rate.     

Access and service convergence over the mobile internet – A survey

Next generation heterogeneous wireless networks are expected to interwork with Internet Protocol (IP)-based infrastructures. Conventional network services operate like silos in that a specific set of services are offered over a specific type of access network. It is desirable for users to be able to roam between fixed and mobile networks that employ different access technologies. Therefore, mobility management with quality of service (QoS) support is of particular importance and one of the driving forces of convergence. Since service providers often provide more than one service to their subscribers, it is important to facilitate convergence of network charging architecture through a common charging framework. One of the main issues of IP-based convergence is security and privacy. This requires coordination of different security policies in diverse networks that have different security levels and capabilities. The business case for migration to an IP-based platform motivates operators to deliver more powerful services for customers as well as a better user experience. This paper provides an overview of converged mobile Internet architectures and their implications on QoS, charging/billing and security, as well as emerging business models for telecommunication services.     

Modeling and analysis of mobility management state of packet-switched (PS) services in GPRS

There has been an increasing demand for wireless data services due to the popularity of Internet services and circuit-switched (CS) systems are not appropriate for accommodating bursty data traffic. The wireless data services can be efficiently supported in the packet-switched (PS) system and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a representative PS system which is being serviced widely. In GPRS, three mobile station (MS) mobility management states, i.e., idle, ready, and standby are defined in order to accommodate bursty traffic characteristics of data services, and thus, GPRS results in efficient management of radio resources and signaling networks. In order to analyze the performance of GPRS mobility management, we develop an analytical model to derive the steady-state probability of the MS states, which is essential in the performance analysis. The analytical model is validated by using a simulation model. The effect of various input parameters on the steady-state probability and the effect of variances of cell residence time, RA residence time, and packet transmission time are analyzed. Then, location update signaling and paging signaling loads are investigated based on the steady-state probability. Our study provides guideline for proper selection of PS system parameters and can be used to analyze the performance of mobility management schemes for PS systems.     

基于二分图的两级动态异构网络选择方案

通信技术的发展,使多种接入技术并存的异构网络成为未来通信网络的发展趋势,随着用户业务QoS需求的提高和传输带宽的增加,现有的网络选择算法已经不能满足用户高质量的通信需求。针对异构无线网络频谱资源日益紧缺的问题,提出了由用户端和网络端共同参与的两级动态网络选择方案。该方案包括灰度关联分析法和二分图联合优化匹配算法,通过用户端和网络端的共同决策,算法在有效满足移动用户业务服务质量需求的前提下,优化了系统吞吐量,均衡了网络负载。仿真实验表明,相对传统算法,该方案极大地提高了异构网络频谱资源利用率并降低了用户在无线网络间的切换概率,实现了用户需求和网络资源的合理配置。     

Fuzzy based multi-criteria vertical handover decision modeling in heterogeneous wireless networks

Vertical handover gain significant importance due to the enhancements in mobility models by the Fourth Generation (4G) technologies. However, these enhancements are limited to specific scenarios and hence do not provide support for generic mobility. Similarly, various schemes are proposed based on these mobility models but most of them are suffered from the high packet loss, frequent handovers, too early and late handovers, inappropriate network selection, etc. To address these challenges, a generic vertical handover management scheme for heterogeneous wireless networks is proposed in this article. The proposed scheme works in three phases. In the first phase, a handover triggering approach is designed to identify the appropriate place for initiating handover based on the estimated coverage area of a WLAN access point or cellular base station. In the second phase, fuzzy rule based system is designed to eliminate the inappropriate networks before deciding an optimal network for handover. In the third phase, a network selection scheme is developed based on the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) decision mechanism. Various parameters such as delay, jitter, Bit Error Rate (BER), packet loss, communication cost, response time, and network load are considered for selecting an optimal network. The proposed scheme is tested in a mobility scenario with different speeds of a mobile node ranging from very low to very high. The simulation results are compared with the existing decision models used for network selection and handover triggering approaches. The proposed scheme outperforms these schemes in terms of energy consumption, handover delay and time, packet loss, good put, etc.     

Energy efficiency of femtocell deployment in combined wireless/optical access networks

Optical/wireless convergence has become of particular interest recently because a combined radio wireless and optical wired network has the potential to provide both mobility and high bandwidth in an efficient way. Recent developments of new radio access technologies such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) and introduction of femtocell base stations open new perspectives in providing broadband services and applications to everyone and everywhere, but the instantaneous quality of radio channel varies in time, space and frequency and radio communication is inherently energy inefficient and susceptible to reflections and interference. On the other hand, optical fiber-based networks do not provide mobility, but they are robust, energy efficient, and able to provide both an almost unlimited bandwidth and high availability.In this paper, we analyze the energy efficiency of combined wireless/optical access networks, in which LTE technology provides ubiquitous broadband Internet access, while optical fiber-based technologies serve as wireless backhaul and offer high-bandwidth wired Internet access to business and residential customers. In this contest, we pay a particular attention to femtocell deployment for increasing both access data rates and area coverage. The paper presents a novel model for evaluating the energy efficiency of combined optical/wireless networks that takes into account the main architectural and implementational aspects of both RF wireless and optical parts of the access network. Several hypothetical network deployment scenarios are defined and used to study effects of femtocell deployment and power saving techniques on network’s energy efficiency in urban, suburban and rural areas and for different traffic conditions.     

A MIH-based approach for best network selection in heterogeneous wireless networks

In the next generation wireless networks, different technologies belonging to one or more operators should be integrated to form a heterogeneous environment based on an IP core network infrastructure. This ensures user mobility and service continuity by maintaining connections when switching between various technologies and it introduces new resources and possibilities for applications. In this context, an automatic interface selection based on instantaneous and practical constraints and user preferences (Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, available resources, security, power consumption, etc.) is therefore required. The different network selection and handover schemes proposed in the literature can be classified into three approaches according to who is responsible for making the handover decision: the terminal, the network or by a cooperation between both of them. However, these approaches keep presenting some drawbacks; namely the problem of resources management and network load balancing whenever the selection is controlled by the mobile terminal (MT) and the problem of scalability and unknown operator's management policy whenever the selection is rather controlled by the network.In this article, first we propose a MIH based approach for handover initiation and preparation for heterogeneous wireless network. The proposed framework is based on the principals of IEEE 802.21 for context information gathering and optimized handover decision making. Second, we propose a new architecture and new network selection scheme that explicitly take into account the current resource usage and the user preferences. Furthermore, our solution ensures the selection of the most suitable network for each flow while taking into consideration its expectations in terms of QoS. A feasibility study of implementing a new architecture on a single MT is evaluated by using typical scenarios and using various algorithms. Thanks to the introduced function entities and modules in the proposed architecture, network utilization balancing and user and application expectations, which are successfully assured without operator intervention. Performance analysis shows that the proposed algorithm best meets the common quality requirements.     

Design of a Web-Based Decision Support System for Service Portfolios in Heterogeneous Radio Access Network Environments

Newly emerging radio access technologies have produced a novel heterogeneous network environment. Wireless service operators should build the best service portfolio strategy for each user by focusing on the co-existence of multiple access networks and complex service combinations, while maximizing the overall network utilization. Web-based Decision Support System (web-based DSS) is one of the best ways of making service portfolios available to every user in a multiple access network environment. Service designers, customer relationship managers, and network engineers can build the best match relationship between services and networks to enhance user utilization. In addition, the easily accessible web-based DSS in an optimal heterogeneous network operation framework provides opportunities for designing new services. The network load and financial effect of newly designed services could also be analyzed and reshaped easily by testing the DSS functionality. Various mathematical tools have been developed for DSS to integrate different network domains. To demonstrate its applicability to the integration of network domains, we tested various service scenarios in a heterogeneous network environment and evaluated the versatile functions of web-based DSS.     

Interworking wireless mesh networks: Problems,performance characterization,and perspectives

Wireless broadband networks based on the IEEE 802.11 technology are being increasingly deployed as mesh networks to provide users with extended coverage for wireless Internet access. These wireless mesh networks, however, may be deployed by different authorities without any coordination a priori, and hence it is possible that they overlap partially or even entirely in service area, resulting in contention of radio resources among them. In this paper, we investigate the artifacts that result from the uncoordinated deployment of wireless mesh networks. We use a network optimization approach to model the problem as resource sharing among nodes belonging to one or different networks. Based on the proposed LP formulation, we then conduct simulations to characterize the performance of overlaying wireless mesh networks, with the goal to provide perspectives for addressing the problems. We find that in a system with multiple overlaying wireless mesh networks, if no form of inter-domain coordination is present, individual mesh networks could suffer from capacity degradation due to increased network contention. One solution toward addressing the performance degradation is to “interwork” these wireless mesh networks by allowing inter-domain traffic relay through provisioning of “bridge” nodes. However, if such bridge nodes are chosen arbitrarily, the problems of throughput sub-optimality and unfairness may arise. We profile the impact of bridge node selection and show the importance in controlling network unfairness for wireless mesh network interworking. We conclude that mesh network interworking is a promising direction to address the artifacts due to uncoordinated deployment of wireless mesh networks if it is supplemented with appropriate mechanisms.     

面向用户的异构网接入选择算法

无线通信网络的发展趋势之一是将各种不同无线接入技术进行融合。多接入选择作为无线资源管理中的关键技术是目前异构网融合的研究热点之一。从用户的利益出发,充分考虑预接入网络的费用、QoS和稳定性;假定不同的网络运营商之间是彼此竞争的,即没有达成统一的协议,提出了一种结合目标代价函数与层次分析法的动态多接入选择算法。通过对影响因素进行分析和二次判断,建立了网络选择决策模型,仿真结果验证了该算法的正确性与有效性。