The European project trust—reconfigurable terminals and supporting networks

To date, research into reconfigurable mobile communications has predominantly focussed on the software radio concept, and specifically on the hardware technologies required to move physical layer processing into a programmable environment [1, 2, 3]. Although an interesting and necessary challenge, this only represents a fraction of the overall support and technology required to realise the potential of the concept. Other necessary developments include network/terminal cooperation for seamless inter-standard handoff, QoS management for software download and reconfiguration, a secure software download mechanism, terminal software and mobile radio network architecture supporting terminal reconfiguration, management for software downloads, configuration management, capability negotiation, radio resource management and spectrum allocation policies etc… This paper describes results from the EuropeanIst Trust (Transparently Reconfigurable UbiquitouS Terminal) [4] project concerning user and operator requirements, the proposed overall system environment, security issues, concerted radio resource management, and expected time frame for the development of reconfigurable terminals.     

Evolution toward reconfigurable user equipment

To date, research into reconfigurable mobile communications has predominantly focused on the software radio concept, and specifically on the hardware technologies required to move physical layer processing into a programmable environment. Although an interesting and necessary challenge, this only represents a fraction of the overall support and technology required to realize the potential of the concept. Other necessary developments include network/terminal cooperation for seamless interstandard handoff, QoS management, a secure software download mechanism, terminal software architecture supporting reconfiguration, configuration management, capability negotiation, and so on. Summarizing results from early project deliverables from a European Research project, IST-TRUST (Transparently Reconfigurable Ubiquitous Terminal), this article describes the likely overall system environment and the key technical challenges to be researched for realizing a reconfigurable terminal to meet the needs of users within that environment     

端到端重配置技术研究

端到端重配置技术起源于软件无线电,软件无线电技术实现了终端的多模式支持功能,并实现了软件从空中接口的下载.端到端重配置技术利用软件无线电提供的重配置能力,构建起以可重配置的终端、基站等网元为主体的体系结构,结合先进的动态网络规划、灵活频谱管理和联合无线资源管理技术,实现对重配置能力和异构无线资源的有效利用,保证用户的无缝业务体验.本文论述了端到端重配置技术的产生背景、基本概念和研究现状,对重配置研究中的主要问题和关键技术(包括架构、规划和管理等方面的内容)进行了系统的总结,最后就重配置未来研究的重点提出了自己的看法.     

基于分层模型的终端调制解调重构研究

相比于传统单一接入功能终端以及多模终端,异构无线网络中的重构终端基于一个通用可重配置的软件无线电（SDR）平台实现不同接入功能,有效减少资源的利用。基于SDR分层设计思想,对终端调制解调重构实现建模进行研究。通过对四相相移键控信号（QPSK）和16QAM两种典型调制方式的调制解调重构仿真,并与传统终端进行比较,验证了所构建的终端调制解调重构模型的正确性,为终端重构实现技术的研究打下了基础。     

基于动态频谱接入的应急移动通信系统

新兴的动态频谱接入(DSA)技术可以解决频谱稀缺问题.本文在研究荷兰典型的下一代应急网络xGEN的基础上,分析了DSA在应急通信网络中的应用需求,设计了分级混合网络架构的DSA应急移动专用通信网络及其基于软件无线电(SDR)平台的快速可重配置的应急终端结构,并探讨了DSA设备特有的动态频谱管理功能实现的关键技术.     

A software radio architecture for linear multiuser detection

The integration of multimedia services over wireless channels calls for provision of variable quality of service (QoS) requirements. While radio resource management algorithms (such as power control and call admission control) can provide certain levels of variability in QoS, an alternate approach is to use reconfigurable radio architectures to provide diverse QoS guarantees. We outline a novel reconfigurable architecture for linear multiuser detection, thereby providing a wide range of bit error rate (BER) requirements amongst the constituent receivers of the reconfigurable architecture. Specifically, we focus on achieving this dynamic reconfiguration via a software radio implementation of linear multiuser receivers. Using a unified framework for achieving this reconfiguration, we partition functionality into two core technologies [field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) and digital signal processor (DSP) devices] based on processing speed requirements. We present experimental results on the performance and reconfigurability of the software radio architecture as well as the impact of fixed point arithmetic (due to hardware constraints)     

The NGI ONRAMP test bed: reconfigurable WDM technology for nextgeneration regional access networks

Next generation internet optical network for regional access using multi-wavelength protocols (NGI ONRAMP) is a pre-competitive consortium sponsored by DARPA. Its mission is to develop architectures, protocols, and algorithms for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)-based regional access networks that will effectively support the NGI. A reconfigurable WDM test bed is being built to demonstrate some of the key thrusts of the consortium, including dynamic service provisioning and optical flow switching, service protection in the optical domain, medium access control protocols, and network control and management geared for the efficient transport of Internet traffic over WDM networks. The ONRAMP test bed will consist of a feeder network connecting via access nodes to distribution networks on which the end users reside. ONRAMP network reconfiguration is enabled by access nodes that contain both optical and electronic switching components, allowing data traffic to be routed all-optically through the network or to be switched and aggregated by electronic Internet protocol (IP) routers. This paper describes the goals and basic architecture of the ONRAMP test bed, as well as the design, construction, and characterization of the network access nodes. To illustrate test bed operation, we demonstrate optical flow switching over the test bed that achieves Gb/s throughput of TCP data between end user workstations     

Middleware Architecture for Next Generation Heterogeneous Networks

In this paper we present a framework, called Futon, which provides a platform to integrate heterogeneous radio access networks. Futon is a hybrid fibre-radio network that replaces legacy base stations with simple remote antenna units, which are connected to a central unit. As a part of the Futon framework, a generic middleware architecture is discussed in detail, which provides interoperability, cooperative management and service provisioning to both underlying radio access networks (RANs) and IP layer for a heterogeneous network scenario. One of the middleware??s functionality is to provide vertical handover between heterogeneous IP-based radio access technologies and to ensure seamless mobility and service continuity, which is implemented on top of an IPv4/IPv6 Mobile IP (MIP) core. In this paper, the Futon framework and a generic middleware architecture as a part of Futon framework for heterogeneous RANs is discussed. The main modules of the middleware, namely common radio resource management (CRRM), media independent handover, Service/Connection Manager and link selection are explained in detail. Radio over fibre (RoF) Manager is an important part of Central unit, which does performance, fault and security management of network elements. RoF manager helps middleware during handoff, by providing the status of fibre optic links. The implementation of Security management module as a part of RoF manager, and results of authentication with AAA protocol are explained. The CRRM as part of middleware is simulated and the results of experimental evaluation are presented.     

Evaluation of the Potentials of the Business Case of Deploying Reconfigurable Segments in Wireless B3G Infrastructures

The B3G concept can be realized in two complementary ways. The first solution is the integration of the diverse radio access technologies into one composite radio environment. The alternative solution is provided by the concept of reconfigurable (adaptive) networks. Composite radio networks, sometimes also referred to as cooperative networks, jointly handle a difficult condition. Reconfigurable networks on the other hand, support B3G Systems by providing technologies that enable network elements and terminals to dynamically adapt to the environment requirements and conditions, in principle, by means of self-management. This paper provides proof on the business advantages of reconfigurable networks. In this context the paper performs an evaluation of the investment in both composite radio and reconfigurable networks, presenting a methodology that can be used for the financial assessment of such networks by applying investment appraisal techniques. Concrete results for both cases are presented and analyzed. The analysis clearly proves that reconfigurable networks can provide significant business benefits for network operators.     

Architecture and enablers for optimized radio resource usage in heterogeneous wireless access networks: The IEEE 1900.4 Working Group

Over the past decade or so, the wireless industry has undergone many significant changes. Radio systems have moved toward forming heterogeneous wireless networks: collaborations of multiple radio access networks, which in some cases operate different radio access technologies, such as second- and third-generation cellular RATs, IEEE 802.x wireless standards, and so on. On the other hand, multimode reconfigurable user devices with the ability to choose among various supported RATs have become a reality, and devices and networks with dynamic spectrum access capabilities, allowing real-time sharing of spectrum resource usage among different systems, are expected to be a part of the future radio eco-space. As a result of these changes, there is a need to develop a standard that addresses the requirements and leverages the opportunities posed by such a versatile radio environment. To this end, IEEE 1900.4 aims to standardize the overall system architecture and information exchange between the network and mobile devices, which will allow these elements to optimally choose from available radio resources. In other words, the standard facilitates the distributed dynamic optimization of the usage of spectrum offered by the heterogeneous wireless network, relying on a collaborative information exchange between networks and mobile devices, thereby acting as a common means to improve overall composite capacity and quality of service for the served networks. This article provides a snapshot of IEEE P1900.4 in its current form, covering the scope and purpose of the standard, reference use cases for which the standard is applicable, its system and functional architectures, and finally, the information model for its main interfaces.     

Ambient Networks项目及其关键技术

随着无线通信技术的不断发展，多接入技术、不同运营商和多样化终端共存的局面使得传统的无线通信格局面临困境，异构网络融合成为未来网络发展的必然趋势。欧盟项目Ambient Networks对异构网络融合进行了深入的研究。Ambient Networks提出了Ambient控制平面（ACS）来支持动态的、分布式的、自管理和自维护的异构网络管理；通过多无线接入结构（MRA）充分利用多种接入技术并存带来的优势，为用户提供总是处于最佳连接的服务。     

MIRAI architecture for heterogeneous network

One of the keywords that describe next-generation wireless communications is "seamless." As part of the e-Japan Plan promoted by the Japanese Government, the Multimedia Integrated Network by Radio Access Innovation project has as its goal the development of new technologies to enable seamless integration of various wireless access systems for practical use by 2005. This article describes a heterogeneous network architecture including a common tool, a common platform, and a common access. In particular, software-defined radio technologies are used to develop a multiservice user terminal to access different wireless networks. The common platform for various wireless networks is based on a wireless-supporting IPv6 network. A basic access network, separated from other wireless access networks, is used as a means for wireless system discovery, signaling, and paging. A proof-of-concept experimental demonstration system is available     

移动泛在环境中的分布式终端技术

未来的无线接入技术的异构性使得终端向着可重构的方向发展,而个人周边的智能设备逐渐增多,成为未来移动业务不可忽视的一部分,两者的结合将引出一种新的重构方式,通过个人周边智能设备的协同工作,构成一个分布式的终端系统,不仅能够适应不同接入网的变化,而且能更充分地利用个人周边智能设备的业务能力,为用户提供更佳业务体验。     

Evaluation of signalling loads in a cognitive network management architecture

Future networks will need to accommodate a significantly augmented user demand, mainly stemming from the wireless and mobile domains. In general, the emerging radio landscape will comprise multiple, collaborating radio access networks (RANs) able to operate a plethora of diverse radio access technologies (RATs), variant types of mobile terminals (MTs), with the ability to choose among various supported RANs/RATs and, in addition, both devices and networks with dynamic spectrum access capabilities that allow the sharing and/or optimization of spectrum usage among different systems. The above will stress network operators for developing mechanisms to confront the challenges and to leverage the opportunities posed by such a versatile radio environment. In particular, the situation calls for adaptive and flexible management paradigms that are able to dynamically manage network elements and terminals, thus ensuring the great availability and efficient usage of spectrum and other radio resources. Framed within the above, this paper considers a cognitive network management architecture, which is destined for optimized management of future wireless networks operating in versatile radio environments, and presents a performance evaluation methodology, which was set up for measuring the signalling loads that the operation of the architecture will bring to the managed network. The methodology is analytically described, and useful results with respect to the signalling load produced for management signalling purposes in an indicative scenario are presented and analysed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Service configuration and traffic distribution in composite radio environments

This paper adopts the assumption that cellular, broadband fixed wireless access (BFWA), wireless local area networks (WLAN), and digital video broadcasting (DVB) systems can be co-operating components of a composite-radio infrastructure. It is believed that through the composite radio concept, operators will be enabled to offer efficient, in terms of cost and QoS, wireless access to broadband IP-based services. The exploitation of this infrastructure calls for the application of computational intelligence (CI) technologies for the development of appropriate, sophisticated service and network resource management functionality. In this context, this paper identifies and addresses the important problem of service configuration and distribution in a composite radio environment (SCD-CRE). The problem's objective is to determine the best way to accommodate a demand volume, with which the composite radio infrastructure is faced. The pro finds the QoS levels that can be offered, and the networks that can support the demand at the selected QoS levels. The paper includes a first approach to the definition, mathematical formulation, and solution of a version of the SCD-CRE problem. Results indicating some of the capabilities of the SCD-CRE are also presented. Further application fields for CI technologies are indicated, in the area of the necessary reconfiguration of the managed, radio and fixed, network segments.     

IP/ATM integrated services over broadband access coppertechnologies

A rich set of broadband access copper technologies is available in the market today, and more are coming out of the laboratories, rapidly moving to standardization. The most likely future scenario will be one where many different technologies coexist. This multi-access-technology paradigm poses an interesting internetworking problem where interoperability and capability to support today's and future user services play a major role in the design of a network architecture. This article begins with an overview of current and new xDSL access technologies to continue describing an access network design that harmonizes the interconnection between PON, xDSL, and native ATM transport technologies. The use of ATM technology for the interface to the broadband access and transport networks is then presented and justified. The article continues studying the protocol architectures proposed for access to network service providers, considered a driver application for broadband access deployment. Finally, different protocol architectures that can provide integrated services support at the user equipment are analyzed     

Software-defined radio basics [book review]

The article reviews the book, 'Software Defined Radio: Architectures, Systems and Functions' by Markus Dillinger, Kambiz Madani, and Nancy Alonistioti, published by John Wiley & Sons, 2003. The book thoroughly discusses various aspects of SDR technologies, particularly Europe's extensive Information Society Technologies research programs. The first six chapters give background information on wireless and SDR concepts. Markus Dillinger, Kambiz Madani, and Nancy Alonistioti address service handoff with quality-of-service considerations for heterogeneous wireless networks. They also discuss requirements for networks that can support device reconfiguration, such as mode detection, monitoring, and filtering; handoff decision making; and software downloads. Handoffs can be disruptive; when an SDR device changes modes, the channel and service quality also change. Furthermore, in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, mode negotiation is underdeveloped and handoff management is restricted to the base station. Chapter 7 explores open APIs for flexible service provisioning and reconfiguration management. The next few chapters describe communication profiles for reconfiguration systems and radio resource management and present a framework for charging and billing for reconfigurable service. Chapter 11, which covers spectrum-sharing methods, including additional spectrum pool sharing. The reviewer considers that the book's broad scope, clear writing, and effective organization make it an invaluable reference for researchers and graduate students, as well as wireless manufacturers and operators.     

A mobility toolbox architecture for all-IP networks: an ambient networks approach [architectures and protocols for mobility management in all-IP mobile networks]

The future Internet will need to cater to an increasing number of mobile devices and mobile networks, roaming across different access networks and trust domains. In addition, various limitations imposed by the end user, service provider, or network operator agreements and preferences will need to be considered. A plethora of mobility management protocols have been proposed to handle different and mostly limited sets of these mobility requirements. In this article we make the case for coexistence of mobility protocols in order to support the large range of mobility scenarios possible in future all-IP networks. This coexistence takes the form of a mobility toolbox that enables mobility handling mechanisms to be selected according to the context. We then present a design for the mobility toolbox as a component of the ambient networks architecture, including a simplified mobility tool interface toward protocol modules, and show how it meets the requirements of future all-IP networks. We further demonstrate the feasibility and performance gains of the mobility toolbox architecture with a prototype implementation based on network mobility.     

基于认知的重配置无线网络技术

端到端重配置技术旨在解决异构无线网络融合和无线资源的最优化利用,随着重配置技术研究的发展和认知理论研究的不断深入,使得未来具有认知能力的重配置无线网络的实现成为可能。目前,对端到端重配置技术的研究包括重配置无线网络体系结构及实现向重配置无线网络的演进过程中的关键技术。     

多模可重构终端的无线接入管理

本文给出了多模可重构终端(RT)的概念,并且设计了RT的基本功能结构模型,使其能够与各类异种无线接入网络(RANs)进行通信.文中针对RT如何选择RANs和无线接入技术(RATs)的问题,提出了一种具体的解决方案.该方案由终端和无线接入网络分工合作完成,终端方面是建立或者改变连接的发起方,负责与本地无线环境密切相关的信息处理,向网络传递用户需求等通信参数.文中通过RT接入管理的三层贝叶斯网络运算模型来实现上述功能.网络方面负责解决网络间合作的问题,拥有选择RANs和RATs的最终决策权.文中给出了网络方面为RT选择最佳RATs的流程图和算法.最后,仿真结果验证了上述方案的有效性.