Effective Capacity in Wireless Networks: A Comprehensive Survey

Low latency applications, such as multimedia communications, autonomous vehicles, and Tactile Internet are the emerging applications for next-generation wireless networks, such as 5th generation (5G) mobile networks. Existing physical-layer channel models, however, do not explicitly consider quality-of-service (QoS) aware related parameters under specific delay constraints. To investigate the performance of low-latency applications in future networks, a new mathematical framework is needed. Effective capacity (EC), which is a link-layer channel model with QoS-awareness, can be used to investigate the performance of wireless networks under certain statistical delay constraints. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey on existing works, that use the EC model in various wireless networks. We summarize the work related to EC for different networks such as cognitive radio networks (CRNs), cellular networks, relay networks, adhoc networks, and mesh networks. We explore five case studies encompassing EC operation with different design and architectural requirements. We survey various delay-sensitive applications such as voice and video with their EC analysis under certain delay constraints. We finally present the future research directions with open issues covering EC maximization

Radio Resource Allocation Algorithms for Multi-Service OFDMA Networks: The Uniform Power Loading Scenario

Adaptive Radio Resource Allocation is essential for guaranteeing high bandwidth and power utilization as well as satisfying heterogeneous Quality-of-Service requests regarding next generation broadband multicarrier wireless access networks like LTE and Mobile WiMAX. A downlink OFDMA single-cell scenario is considered where heterogeneous Constant-Bit-Rate and Best-Effort QoS profiles coexist and the power is uniformly spread over the system bandwidth utilizing a Uniform Power Loading (UPL) scenario. We express this particular QoS provision scenario in mathematical terms, as a variation of the well-known generalized assignment problem answered in the combinatorial optimization field. Based on this concept, we propose two heuristic search algorithms for dynamically allocating subchannels to the competing QoS classes and users which are executed under polynomially-bounded cost. We also propose an Integer Linear Programming model for optimally solving and acquiring a performance upper bound for the same problem at reasonable yet high execution times. Through extensive simulation results we show that the proposed algorithms exhibit high close-to-optimal performance, thus comprising attractive candidates for implementation in modern OFDMA-based systems.Comment: accepted for publication at the Springer Telecommunication Systems Journal (TSMJ

Leveraging Synergy of 5G SDWN and Multi-Layer Resource Management for Network Optimization

Fifth-generation (5G) cellular wireless networks are envisioned to predispose service-oriented, flexible, and spectrum/energy-efficient edge-to-core infrastructure, aiming to offer diverse applications. Convergence of software-defined networking (SDN), software-defined radio (SDR) compatible with multiple radio access technologies (RATs), and virtualization on the concept of 5G software-defined wireless networking (5G-SDWN) is a promising approach to provide such a dynamic network. The principal technique behind the 5G-SDWN framework is the separation of the control and data planes, from the deep core entities to edge wireless access points (APs). This separation allows the abstraction of resources as transmission parameters of each user over the 5G-SDWN. In this user-centric and service-oriented environment, resource management plays a critical role to achieve efficiency and reliability. However, it is natural to wonder if 5G-SDWN can be leveraged to enable converged multi-layer resource management over the portfolio of resources, and reciprocally, if CML resource management can effectively provide performance enhancement and reliability for 5G-SDWN. We believe that replying to these questions and investigating this mutual synergy are not trivial, but multidimensional and complex for 5G-SDWN, which consists of different technologies and also inherits legacy generations of wireless networks. In this paper, we propose a flexible protocol structure based on three mentioned pillars for 5G-SDWN, which can handle all the required functionalities in a more crosslayer manner. Based on this, we demonstrate how the general framework of CML resource management can control the end user quality of experience. For two scenarios of 5G-SDWN, we investigate the effects of joint user-association and resource allocation via CML resource management to improve performance in a virtualized network

A Survey on High-Speed Railway Communications: A Radio Resource Management Perspective

High-speed railway (HSR) communications will become a key feature supported by intelligent transportation communication systems. The increasing demand for HSR communications leads to significant attention on the study of radio resource management (RRM), which enables efficient resource utilization and improved system performance. RRM design is a challenging problem due to heterogenous quality of service (QoS) requirements and dynamic characteristics of HSR wireless communications. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview on the key issues that arise in the RRM design for HSR wireless communications. A detailed description of HSR communication systems is first presented, followed by an introduction on HSR channel models and characteristics, which are vital to the cross-layer RRM design. Then we provide a literature survey on state-of-the-art RRM schemes for HSR wireless communications, with an in-depth discussion on various RRM aspects including admission control, mobility management, power control and resource allocation. Finally, this paper outlines the current challenges and open issues in the area of RRM design for HSR wireless communications.Comment: 40 pages, 10 figures. Submitted to Computer Communication

QoS Guaranteed Intelligent Routing Using Hybrid PSO-GA in Wireless Mesh Networks

In Multi-Channel Multi-Radio Wireless Mesh Networks (MCMR-WMN), finding the optimal routing by satisfying the Quality of Service (QoS) constraints is an ambitious task. Multiple paths are available from the source node to the gateway for reliability, and sometimes it is necessary to deal with failures of the link in WMN. A major challenge in a MCMR-WMN is finding the routing with QoS satisfied and an interference free path from the redundant paths, in order to transmit the packets through this path. The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is an optimization technique to find the candidate solution in the search space optimally, and it applies artificial intelligence to solve the routing problem. On the other hand, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) is a population based meta-heuristic optimization algorithm inspired by the natural evolution, such as selection,mutation and crossover. PSO can easily fall into a local optimal solution, at the same time GA is not suitable for dynamic data due to the underlying dynamic network. In this paper we propose an optimal intelligent routing, using a Hybrid PSO-GA, which also meets the QoS constraints. Moreover, it integrates the strength of PSO and GA. The QoS constraints, such as bandwidth, delay, jitter and interference are transformed into penalty functions. The simulation results show that the hybrid approach outperforms PSO and GA individually, and it takes less convergence time comparatively, keeping away from converging prematurely. Keywords: Wireless mesh networks, Multi-radio, Multi-channel, Particle swarm optimization, Genetic algorithm, Quality of service.Comment: 15 pages in Cybernetics and Information Technologies,Volume 15, No 1, 201

Efficient ZF-WF Strategy for Sum-Rate Maximization of MU-MISO Cognitive Radio Networks

This article presents an efficient quasi-optimal sum rate (SR) maximization technique based on zero-forcing water-filling (ZFWF) algorithm directly applied to cognitive radio networks (CRNs). We have defined the non-convexity nature of the optimization problem in the context of CRNs while we have offered all necessary conditions to solve the related SR maximization problem, which considers power limit at cognitive transmitter and interference levels at primary users (PUs) and secondary users (SUs). A general expression capable to determine the optimal number of users as a function of the main system parameters, namely the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) and the number of BS antennas is proposed. Our numerical results for the CRN performance are analyzed in terms of both BER and sum-capacity for the proposed ZF-WF precoding technique, and compared to the classical minimum mean square error (MMSE), corroborating the effectiveness of the proposed technique operating in multi user multiple input single output (MU-MISO) CRNsComment: 23 pages, 9 figures, 2 table

Survey on QoE\QoS Correlation Models For Multimedia Services

This paper presents a brief review of some existing correlation models which attempt to map Quality of Service (QoS) to Quality of Experience (QoE) for multimedia services. The term QoS refers to deterministic network behaviour, so that data can be transported with a minimum of packet loss, delay and maximum bandwidth. QoE is a subjective measure that involves human dimensions; it ties together user perception, expectations, and experience of the application and network performance. The Holy Grail of subjective measurement is to predict it from the objective measurements; in other words predict QoE from a given set of QoS parameters or vice versa. Whilst there are many quality models for multimedia, most of them are only partial solutions to predicting QoE from a given QoS. This contribution analyses a number of previous attempts and optimisation techniquesthat can reliably compute the weighting coefficients for the QoS/QoE mapping.Comment: 20 pages, International Journal of Distributed and Parallel Systems (IJDPS

A Journey from Improper Gaussian Signaling to Asymmetric Signaling

The deviation of continuous and discrete complex random variables from the traditional proper and symmetric assumption to a generalized improper and asymmetric characterization (accounting correlation between a random entity and its complex conjugate), respectively, introduces new design freedom and various potential merits. As such, the theory of impropriety has vast applications in medicine, geology, acoustics, optics, image and pattern recognition, computer vision, and other numerous research fields with our main focus on the communication systems. The journey begins from the design of improper Gaussian signaling in the interference-limited communications and leads to a more elaborate and practically feasible asymmetric discrete modulation design. Such asymmetric shaping bridges the gap between theoretically and practically achievable limits with sophisticated transceiver and detection schemes in both coded/uncoded wireless/optical communication systems. Interestingly, introducing asymmetry and adjusting the transmission parameters according to some design criterion render optimal performance without affecting the bandwidth or power requirements of the systems. This dual-flavored article initially presents the tutorial base content covering the interplay of reality/complexity, propriety/impropriety and circularity/noncircularity and then surveys majority of the contributions in this enormous journey.Comment: IEEE COMST (Early Access

From 4G to 5G: Self-organized Network Management meets Machine Learning

In this paper, we provide an analysis of self-organized network management, with an end-to-end perspective of the network. Self-organization as applied to cellular networks is usually referred to Self-organizing Networks (SONs), and it is a key driver for improving Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) activities. SON aims at reducing the cost of installation and management of 4G and future 5G networks, by simplifying operational tasks through the capability to configure, optimize and heal itself. To satisfy 5G network management requirements, this autonomous management vision has to be extended to the end to end network. In literature and also in some instances of products available in the market, Machine Learning (ML) has been identified as the key tool to implement autonomous adaptability and take advantage of experience when making decisions. In this paper, we survey how network management can significantly benefit from ML solutions. We review and provide the basic concepts and taxonomy for SON, network management and ML. We analyse the available state of the art in the literature, standardization, and in the market. We pay special attention to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) evolution in the area of network management and to the data that can be extracted from 3GPP networks, in order to gain knowledge and experience in how the network is working, and improve network performance in a proactive way. Finally, we go through the main challenges associated with this line of research, in both 4G and in what 5G is getting designed, while identifying new directions for research.Comment: 23 pages, 3 figures, Surve

Machine Learning for Wireless Communications in the Internet of Things: A Comprehensive Survey

The Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to require more effective and efficient wireless communications than ever before. For this reason, techniques such as spectrum sharing, dynamic spectrum access, extraction of signal intelligence and optimized routing will soon become essential components of the IoT wireless communication paradigm. Given that the majority of the IoT will be composed of tiny, mobile, and energy-constrained devices, traditional techniques based on a priori network optimization may not be suitable, since (i) an accurate model of the environment may not be readily available in practical scenarios; (ii) the computational requirements of traditional optimization techniques may prove unbearable for IoT devices. To address the above challenges, much research has been devoted to exploring the use of machine learning to address problems in the IoT wireless communications domain. This work provides a comprehensive survey of the state of the art in the application of machine learning techniques to address key problems in IoT wireless communications with an emphasis on its ad hoc networking aspect. First, we present extensive background notions of machine learning techniques. Then, by adopting a bottom-up approach, we examine existing work on machine learning for the IoT at the physical, data-link and network layer of the protocol stack. Thereafter, we discuss directions taken by the community towards hardware implementation to ensure the feasibility of these techniques. Additionally, before concluding, we also provide a brief discussion of the application of machine learning in IoT beyond wireless communication. Finally, each of these discussions is accompanied by a detailed analysis of the related open problems and challenges.Comment: Ad Hoc Networks Journa