30 research outputs found
View on 5G Architecture: Version 1.0
The current white paper focuses on the produced results after one year research mainly from 16 projects working on the abovementioned domains. During several months, representatives from these projects have worked together to identify the key findings of their projects and capture the commonalities and also the different approaches and trends. Also they have worked to determine the challenges that remain to be overcome so as to meet the 5G requirements. The goal of 5G Architecture Working Group is to use the results captured in this white paper to assist the participating projects achieve a common reference framework. The work of this working group will continue during the following year so as to capture the latest results to be produced by the projects and further elaborate this reference framework. The 5G networks will be built around people and things and will natively meet the requirements of three groups of use cases: • Massive broadband (xMBB) that delivers gigabytes of bandwidth on demand • Massive machine-type communication (mMTC) that connects billions of sensors and machines • Critical machine-type communication (uMTC) that allows immediate feedback with high reliability and enables for example remote control over robots and autonomous driving. The demand for mobile broadband will continue to increase in the next years, largely driven by the need to deliver ultra-high definition video. However, 5G networks will also be the platform enabling growth in many industries, ranging from the IT industry to the automotive, manufacturing industries entertainment, etc. 5G will enable new applications like for example autonomous driving, remote control of robots and tactile applications, but these also bring a lot of challenges to the network. Some of these are related to provide low latency in the order of few milliseconds and high reliability compared to fixed lines. But the biggest challenge for 5G networks will be that the services to cater for a diverse set of services and their requirements. To achieve this, the goal for 5G networks will be to improve the flexibility in the architecture. The white paper is organized as follows. In section 2 we discuss the key business and technical requirements that drive the evolution of 4G networks into the 5G. In section 3 we provide the key points of the overall 5G architecture where as in section 4 we elaborate on the functional architecture. Different issues related to the physical deployment in the access, metro and core networks of the 5G network are discussed in section 5 while in section 6 we present software network enablers that are expected to play a significant role in the future networks. Section 7 presents potential impacts on standardization and section 8 concludes the white paper
Empowering the 6G Cellular Architecture with Open RAN
Innovation and standardization in 5G have brought advancements to every facet
of the cellular architecture. This ranges from the introduction of new
frequency bands and signaling technologies for the radio access network (RAN),
to a core network underpinned by micro-services and network function
virtualization (NFV). However, like any emerging technology, the pace of
real-world deployments does not instantly match the pace of innovation. To
address this discrepancy, one of the key aspects under continuous development
is the RAN with the aim of making it more open, adaptive, functional, and easy
to manage. In this paper, we highlight the transformative potential of
embracing novel cellular architectures by transitioning from conventional
systems to the progressive principles of Open RAN. This promises to make 6G
networks more agile, cost-effective, energy-efficient, and resilient. It opens
up a plethora of novel use cases, ranging from ubiquitous support for
autonomous devices to cost-effective expansions in regions previously
underserved. The principles of Open RAN encompass: (i) a disaggregated
architecture with modular and standardized interfaces; (ii) cloudification,
programmability and orchestration; and (iii) AI-enabled data-centric
closed-loop control and automation. We first discuss the transformative role
Open RAN principles have played in the 5G era. Then, we adopt a system-level
approach and describe how these Open RAN principles will support 6G RAN and
architecture innovation. We qualitatively discuss potential performance gains
that Open RAN principles yield for specific 6G use cases. For each principle,
we outline the steps that research, development and standardization communities
ought to take to make Open RAN principles central to next-generation cellular
network designs.Comment: This paper is part of the IEEE JSAC SI on Open RAN. Please cite as:
M. Polese, M. Dohler, F. Dressler, M. Erol-Kantarci, R. Jana, R. Knopp, T.
Melodia, "Empowering the 6G Cellular Architecture with Open RAN," in IEEE
Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, doi: 10.1109/JSAC.2023.333461
Will SDN be part of 5G?
For many, this is no longer a valid question and the case is considered
settled with SDN/NFV (Software Defined Networking/Network Function
Virtualization) providing the inevitable innovation enablers solving many
outstanding management issues regarding 5G. However, given the monumental task
of softwarization of radio access network (RAN) while 5G is just around the
corner and some companies have started unveiling their 5G equipment already,
the concern is very realistic that we may only see some point solutions
involving SDN technology instead of a fully SDN-enabled RAN. This survey paper
identifies all important obstacles in the way and looks at the state of the art
of the relevant solutions. This survey is different from the previous surveys
on SDN-based RAN as it focuses on the salient problems and discusses solutions
proposed within and outside SDN literature. Our main focus is on fronthaul,
backward compatibility, supposedly disruptive nature of SDN deployment,
business cases and monetization of SDN related upgrades, latency of general
purpose processors (GPP), and additional security vulnerabilities,
softwarization brings along to the RAN. We have also provided a summary of the
architectural developments in SDN-based RAN landscape as not all work can be
covered under the focused issues. This paper provides a comprehensive survey on
the state of the art of SDN-based RAN and clearly points out the gaps in the
technology.Comment: 33 pages, 10 figure
5G Network Slicing using SDN and NFV: A Survey of Taxonomy, Architectures and Future Challenges
In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review and updated solutions
related to 5G network slicing using SDN and NFV. Firstly, we present 5G service
quality and business requirements followed by a description of 5G network
softwarization and slicing paradigms including essential concepts, history and
different use cases. Secondly, we provide a tutorial of 5G network slicing
technology enablers including SDN, NFV, MEC, cloud/Fog computing, network
hypervisors, virtual machines & containers. Thidly, we comprehensively survey
different industrial initiatives and projects that are pushing forward the
adoption of SDN and NFV in accelerating 5G network slicing. A comparison of
various 5G architectural approaches in terms of practical implementations,
technology adoptions and deployment strategies is presented. Moreover, we
provide a discussion on various open source orchestrators and proof of concepts
representing industrial contribution. The work also investigates the
standardization efforts in 5G networks regarding network slicing and
softwarization. Additionally, the article presents the management and
orchestration of network slices in a single domain followed by a comprehensive
survey of management and orchestration approaches in 5G network slicing across
multiple domains while supporting multiple tenants. Furthermore, we highlight
the future challenges and research directions regarding network softwarization
and slicing using SDN and NFV in 5G networks.Comment: 40 Pages, 22 figures, published in computer networks (Open Access
Understanding O-RAN: Architecture, Interfaces, Algorithms, Security, and Research Challenges
The Open Radio Access Network (RAN) and its embodiment through the O-RAN
Alliance specifications are poised to revolutionize the telecom ecosystem.
O-RAN promotes virtualized RANs where disaggregated components are connected
via open interfaces and optimized by intelligent controllers. The result is a
new paradigm for the RAN design, deployment, and operations: O-RAN networks can
be built with multi-vendor, interoperable components, and can be
programmatically optimized through a centralized abstraction layer and
data-driven closed-loop control. Therefore, understanding O-RAN, its
architecture, its interfaces, and workflows is key for researchers and
practitioners in the wireless community. In this article, we present the first
detailed tutorial on O-RAN. We also discuss the main research challenges and
review early research results. We provide a deep dive of the O-RAN
specifications, describing its architecture, design principles, and the O-RAN
interfaces. We then describe how the O-RAN RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs)
can be used to effectively control and manage 3GPP-defined RANs. Based on this,
we discuss innovations and challenges of O-RAN networks, including the
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) workflows that the
architecture and interfaces enable, security and standardization issues.
Finally, we review experimental research platforms that can be used to design
and test O-RAN networks, along with recent research results, and we outline
future directions for O-RAN development.Comment: 33 pages, 16 figures, 3 tables. Submitted for publication to the IEE
Network Service Orchestration: A Survey
Business models of network service providers are undergoing an evolving
transformation fueled by vertical customer demands and technological advances
such as 5G, Software Defined Networking~(SDN), and Network Function
Virtualization~(NFV). Emerging scenarios call for agile network services
consuming network, storage, and compute resources across heterogeneous
infrastructures and administrative domains. Coordinating resource control and
service creation across interconnected domains and diverse technologies becomes
a grand challenge. Research and development efforts are being devoted to
enabling orchestration processes to automate, coordinate, and manage the
deployment and operation of network services. In this survey, we delve into the
topic of Network Service Orchestration~(NSO) by reviewing the historical
background, relevant research projects, enabling technologies, and
standardization activities. We define key concepts and propose a taxonomy of
NSO approaches and solutions to pave the way towards a common understanding of
the various ongoing efforts around the realization of diverse NSO application
scenarios. Based on the analysis of the state of affairs, we present a series
of open challenges and research opportunities, altogether contributing to a
timely and comprehensive survey on the vibrant and strategic topic of network
service orchestration.Comment: Accepted for publication at Computer Communications Journa
QoE management of multimedia streaming services in future networks : a tutorial and survey
No embargo require
A Cognitive Routing framework for Self-Organised Knowledge Defined Networks
This study investigates the applicability of machine learning methods to the routing protocols for achieving rapid convergence in self-organized knowledge-defined networks. The research explores the constituents of the Self-Organized Networking (SON) paradigm for 5G and beyond, aiming to design a routing protocol that complies with the SON requirements. Further, it also exploits a contemporary discipline called Knowledge-Defined Networking (KDN) to extend the routing capability by calculating the “Most Reliable” path than the shortest one.
The research identifies the potential key areas and possible techniques to meet the objectives by surveying the state-of-the-art of the relevant fields, such as QoS aware routing, Hybrid SDN architectures, intelligent routing models, and service migration techniques. The design phase focuses primarily on the mathematical modelling of the routing problem and approaches the solution by optimizing at the structural level. The work contributes Stochastic Temporal Edge Normalization (STEN) technique which fuses link and node utilization for cost calculation; MRoute, a hybrid routing algorithm for SDN that leverages STEN to provide constant-time convergence; Most Reliable Route First (MRRF) that uses a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) to approximate route-reliability as the metric of MRRF. Additionally, the research outcomes include a cross-platform SDN Integration framework (SDN-SIM) and a secure migration technique for containerized services in a Multi-access Edge Computing
environment using Distributed Ledger Technology.
The research work now eyes the development of 6G standards and its compliance with Industry-5.0 for enhancing the abilities of the present outcomes in the light of Deep Reinforcement Learning and Quantum Computing
Configuração automática de plataforma de gestão de desempenho em ambientes NFV e SDN
Mestrado em Engenharia de Computadores e TelemáticaWith 5G set to arrive within the next three years, this next-generation
of mobile networks will transform the mobile industry with a profound
impact both on its customers as well as on the existing technologies
and network architectures. Software-Defined Networking (SDN), together
with Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), are going to play
key roles for the operators as they prepare the migration from 4G to
5G allowing them to quickly scale their networks. This dissertation will
present a research work done on this new paradigm of virtualized and
programmable networks focusing on the performance management, supervision
and monitoring domains, aiming to address Self-Organizing
Networks (SON) scenarios in a NFV/SDN context, with one of the scenarios
being the detection and prediction of potential network and service
anomalies. The research work itself was done while participating in
a R&D project designated SELFNET (A Framework for Self-Organized
Network Management in Virtualized and Software Defined Networks)
funded by the European Commission under the H2020 5G-PPP programme,
with Altice Labs being one of the participating partners of
this project. Performance management system advancements in a 5G
scenario require aggregation, correlation and analysis of data gathered
from these virtualized and programmable network elements. Both opensource
monitoring tools and customized catalog-driven tools were either
integrated on or developed with this purpose, and the results show
that they were able to successfully address these requirements of the
SELFNET project. Current performance management platforms of the
network operators in production are designed for non virtualized (non-
NFV) and non programmable (non-SDN) networks, and the knowledge
gathered while doing this research work allowed Altice Labs to understand
how its Altaia performance management platform must evolve in
order to be prepared for the upcoming 5G next generation mobile networks.Com o 5G prestes a chegar nos próximos três anos, esta próxima geração
de redes móveis irá transformar a indústria de telecomunicações
móveis com um impacto profundo nos seus clientes assim como nas
tecnologias e arquiteturas de redes. As redes programáveis (SDN),
em conjunto com a virtualização de funções de rede (NFV), irão desempenhar
papéis vitais para as operadoras na sua migração do 4G
para o 5G, permitindo-as escalar as suas redes rapidamente. Esta
dissertação irá apresentar um trabalho de investigação realizado sobre
este novo paradigma de virtualização e programação de redes,
concentrando-se no domínio da gestão de desempenho, supervisionamento
e monitoria, abordando cenários de redes auto-organizadas
(SON) num contexto NFV/SDN, sendo um destes cenários a deteção
e predição de potenciais anomalias de redes e serviços. O trabalho de
investigação foi enquadrado num projeto de I&D designado SELFNET
(A Framework for Self-Organized Network Management in Virtualized
and Software Defined Networks) financiado pela Comissão Europeia
no âmbito do programa H2020 5G-PPP, sendo a Altice Labs um dos
parceiros participantes deste projeto. Avanços em sistemas de gestão
de desempenho em cenários 5G requerem agregação, correlação e
análise de dados recolhidos destes elementos de rede programáveis
e virtualizados. Ferramentas de monitoria open-source e ferramentas
catalog-driven foram integradas ou desenvolvidas com este propósito,
e os resultados mostram que estas preencheram os requisitos do projeto
SELFNET com sucesso. As plataformas de gestão de desempenho
das operadoras de rede atualmente em produção estão concebidas
para redes não virtualizadas (non-NFV) e não programáveis (non-
SDN), e o conhecimento adquirido durante este trabalho de investigação
permitiu à Altice Labs compreender como a sua plataforma de gestão
de desempenho (Altaia) terá que evoluir por forma a preparar-se
para a próxima geração de redes móveis 5G