Editorial

Mobile Networks and Applications -     

Dynamic periodic location area update in mobile networks

In mobile communications networks, periodic location area update (PLAU) is utilized to detect the presence of a mobile station (MS). In the 3GPP Technical Specifications 23.012 and 24.008, a fixed PLAU scheme was proposed for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), where the interval between two PLAUs is of fixed length. We observe that MS presence can also be detected through call activities and normal location area update (NLAU). Therefore, we propose a dynamic PLAU scheme where the PLAU interval is dynamically adjusted based on the call traffic and NLAU rate. An analytic model is developed to investigate the performance of dynamic and fixed PLAU schemes. This paper provides guidelines to select parameters for dynamic PLAU.     

A Model with Generalized Holding and Cell Residence Times for Evaluating Handoff Rates and Channel Occupancy Times in PCS Networks

This paper presents a performance model for apersonal communications services (PCS) system whichgeneralizes results obtained by the authors, allowingfor a more realistic computation of basic PCS network parameters. In particular, this modelgeneralizes the call holding time and the cell residencetime distributions. On the basis of this model, wederive the handoff rates and the channel occupationtimes, and show how these can be applied to computethe call blocking probabilities in these networks. Asimplified numerical example is presented to demonstratethe application of the presented approach.     

A Prioritized Real-Time Wireless Call Degradation Framework for Optimal Call Mix Selection

This paper describes a framework for selecting the optimal call mix to be admitted while employing a bandwidth degradation policy in a wireless cellular network. The optimal property is achieved by maximizing the revenue generated by different calls in a cell for the service provider. By degradation, we mean that: (1) some channels can be taken away from ongoing calls that are assigned multiple channels, and/or (2) newly admitted calls that require multiple channels get fewer than what they requested. To avoid removing more channels from calls than they could tolerate, we incorporate a new call attribute: the degradation tolerance, i.e., the number of channels a call can be degraded without sacrificing the acceptable level of quality. We also consider priorities over calls to influence the admission and/or degradation decision. Our analytical framework includes both static and dynamic scenarios. The dynamic case is enhanced with the ability to select the optimal call mix using incoming and departing handoffs, new calls, and call terminations in a recursive way, thus, resulting in a call admission policy. We also discuss how to accommodate non-real-time calls into our system. To evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme, a discrete event simulation tool has been developed that models our dynamic framework built on a customized simulated annealing optimization function. Simulation results demonstrate that not only does the proposed degradation framework maximize the total revenue generated by the admitted calls in the cells, but also reduce the handoff and new call blocking probabilities.     

An optical switch architecture for Manhattan networks

An electronically controlled optical packet deflection switch that is based on space and time switching at intermediate nodes is described. The switch uses optical delay lines to store and switch packets in the optical domain so that optical bandwidth can be achieved across the network. The optical switch is controlled by an associated electronic mechanism that provides the necessary versatility and processing power. This approach combines the advantages of the optics and the electronics. The use and performance of the switch are demonstrated in the context of the Manhattan deflection network     

Toward alternative high-speed network concepts: the SWIFTarchitecture

An approach to communication architectures for high-speed networks which provides efficient, adaptive communication for any traffic distribution is presented. It is based on a concept of dynamic sharing of communication resources which is obtained from the following three-tier SWIFT architecture. At the physical layer the high-speed communication system is based on the use of several lower speed channels or frequencies. At the data link layer, driven by hardware simplicity considerations, the SWIFT architecture uses a fixed time-slotted allocation of subchannels, in which each node is required to transmit or receive over only a single, predetermined, subchannel at a time. To provide adaptive channel access control, while preserving the data link hardware simplicity, a network layer is added. This layer introduces multihop adaptive channel (frequency) routing on the inherently broadcast communication medium. The routing concept provides dynamic sharing of communication channels and buffers, leading to a fully distributed adaptive bandwidth control. An analytic model for analyzing the performance of the multilayered architecture is developed. It shows that for homogeneous or heterogeneous traffic requirements the approach provides throughput/delay performance superior to that found in existing communication systems     

An integrated protocol stack for efficient resources management in wireless networks

The area of ATM multihop radio networks has recently become an issue of interest especially with the growing interest in portable multimedia units. Multimedia communication requires a deterministic delivery of isochronous traffic with predefined QoS requirements. In this paper we propose an integrated protocol stack which provides deterministic delivery bounds and efficiently utilizes channel backwidth. By integrating the access, routing and congestion control protocols, a solution is provided which improves bandwidth utilization, maintains shortest route packet delivery and leads to congestion avoidance. A tractable approximate analytical model is developed and verified for networks with finite storage capacity. For large multihop networks the analytical solution is complemented by simulation. Evaluation shows that the proposed protocol integration yields a significant reduction in end-to-end delay, which together with bounded access time at the channel access level, provide two essential features for the support of isochronous traffic in multihop wireless environments.     

An evaluation of distributed wavelength provisioning in WDM optical networks with sparse wavelength conversion

Distributed wavelength provisioning is becoming one of the most important technologies for supporting next-generation optical networks. This paper describes the evaluation of the performance of distributed wavelength provisioning in wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) optical networks with sparse wavelength conversion (i.e., where wavelength conversion is available at only a subset of network nodes). Using the well-known destination-initiated reservation method as a case study, a highly accurate analytical model supported by comprehensive simulation validation is proposed. Both analytical and simulation results show that, in optical networks with distributed wavelength provisioning, sparse wavelength conversion still helps to significantly lower the connection-blocking probabilities. However, unlike that in centralized wavelength provisioning, sparse wavelength conversion may not easily achieve nearly the same performance as that of full wavelength conversion, especially under light traffic loads. This paper evaluates how the potential contribution of sparse wavelength conversion depends on different factors, such as the number of wavelength converters, the number of wavelength channels per fiber, the burstiness of traffic loads, and the network size, and discusses the influence of the signaling scheme.     

Heterogeneous personal communications services: integration of PCSsystems

Personal communications services (PCS) are being introduced to offer ubiquitous communication. In its first phase PCS consists of a plethora of systems that address cellular, vehicular, cordless phone, and a variety of other services. The integration of these different systems is referred to as “heterogeneous PCS (HPCS)”. We describe the various PCS systems available and address in detail the issue of PCS systems integration. Key implementation issues for integrating PCS systems are defined and discussed