The Four-C Framework for High Capacity Ultra-Low Latency in 5G Networks: A Review

Network latency will be a critical performance metric for the Fifth Generation (5G) networks expected to be fully rolled out in 2020 through the IMT-2020 project. The multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) technology is a key enabler for the 5G massive connectivity criterion, especially from the massive densification perspective. Naturally, it appears that 5G MU-MIMO will face a daunting task to achieve an end-to-end 1 ms ultra-low latency budget if traditional network set-ups criteria are strictly adhered to. Moreover, 5G latency will have added dimensions of scalability and flexibility compared to prior existing deployed technologies. The scalability dimension caters for meeting rapid demand as new applications evolve. While flexibility complements the scalability dimension by investigating novel non-stacked protocol architecture. The goal of this review paper is to deploy ultra-low latency reduction framework for 5G communications considering flexibility and scalability. The Four (4) C framework consisting of cost, complexity, cross-layer and computing is hereby analyzed and discussed. The Four (4) C framework discusses several emerging new technologies of software defined network (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV) and fog networking. This review paper will contribute significantly towards the future implementation of flexible and high capacity ultra-low latency 5G communications

Toward 6G TKμ\mu Extreme Connectivity: Architecture, Key Technologies and Experiments

Sixth-generation (6G) networks are evolving towards new features and order-of-magnitude enhancement of systematic performance metrics compared to the current 5G. In particular, the 6G networks are expected to achieve extreme connectivity performance with Tbps-scale data rate, Kbps/Hz-scale spectral efficiency, and $\mu$s-scale latency. To this end, an original three-layer 6G network architecture is designed to realise uniform full-spectrum cell-free radio access and provide task-centric agile proximate support for diverse applications. The designed architecture is featured by super edge node (SEN) which integrates connectivity, computing, AI, data, etc. On this basis, a technological framework of pervasive multi-level (PML) AI is established in the centralised unit to enable task-centric near-real-time resource allocation and network automation. We then introduce a radio access network (RAN) architecture of full spectrum uniform cell-free networks, which is among the most attractive RAN candidates for 6G TK$\mu$ extreme connectivity. A few most promising key technologies, i.e., cell-free massive MIMO, photonics-assisted Terahertz wireless access and spatiotemporal two-dimensional channel coding are further discussed. A testbed is implemented and extensive trials are conducted to evaluate innovative technologies and methodologies. The proposed 6G network architecture and technological framework demonstrate exciting potentials for full-service and full-scenario applications.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figure

The future roadmap of in-vehicle network processing: a HW-centric (R-)evolution

© 2022 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes,creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.The automotive industry is undergoing a deep revolution. With the race towards autonomous driving, the amount of technologies, sensors and actuators that need to be integrated in the vehicle increases exponentially. This imposes new great challenges in the vehicle electric/electronic (E/E) architecture and, especially, in the In-Vehicle Network (IVN). In this work, we analyze the evolution of IVNs, and focus on the main network processing platform integrated in them: the Gateway (GW). We derive the requirements of Network Processing Platforms that need to be fulfilled by future GW controllers focusing on two perspectives: functional requirements and structural requirements. Functional requirements refer to the functionalities that need to be delivered by these network processing platforms. Structural requirements refer to design aspects which ensure the feasibility, usability and future evolution of the design. By focusing on the Network Processing architecture, we review the available options in the state of the art, both in industry and academia. We evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each architecture in terms of the coverage provided for the functional and structural requirements. In our analysis, we detect a gap in this area: there is currently no architecture fulfilling all the requirements of future automotive GW controllers. In light of the available network processing architectures and the current technology landscape, we identify Hardware (HW) accelerators and custom processor design as a key differentiation factor which boosts the devices performance. From our perspective, this points to a need - and a research opportunity - to explore network processing architectures with a strong HW focus, unleashing the potential of next-generation network processors and supporting the demanding requirements of future autonomous and connected vehicles.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

A Methodology for the Design of Safety-Compliant and Secure Communication of Autonomous Vehicles

International audience; The automotive industry is increasing its effort towards scientific and technological innovations regarding autonomous vehicles. The expectation is a reduction of road accidents, which are too often caused by human errors. Moreover, technological solutions, such as connected autonomous vehicle platoons, are expected to help humans in emergency situations. In this context, safety and security issues do not yet have a satisfactory answer. In this paper, we address the domain of secure communication among vehicles - especially the issues related to authentication and authorization of inter-vehicular signals and services carrying safety commands. We propose a novel design methodology, where we take a contract-based approach for specifying safety, and combine it in the design flow with the use of the Arrowhead Framework to support security. Furthermore, we present the results through a demo, which employs model-based design for software implementation and the physical realization on autonomous model cars

6G Radio Testbeds: Requirements, Trends, and Approaches

The proof of the pudding is in the eating - that is why 6G testbeds are essential in the progress towards the next generation of wireless networks. Theoretical research towards 6G wireless networks is proposing advanced technologies to serve new applications and drastically improve the energy performance of the network. Testbeds are indispensable to validate these new technologies under more realistic conditions. This paper clarifies the requirements for 6G radio testbeds, reveals trends, and introduces approaches towards their development

Integration of Clouds to Industrial Communication Networks

Cloud computing, owing to its ubiquitousness, scalability and on-demand ac- cess, has transformed into many traditional sectors, such as telecommunication and manufacturing production. As the Fifth Generation Wireless Specifica- tions (5G) emerges, the demand on ubiquitous and re-configurable computing resources for handling tremendous traffic from omnipresent mobile devices has been put forward. And therein lies the adaption of cloud-native model in service delivery of telecommunication networks. However, it takes phased approaches to successfully transform the traditional Telco infrastructure to a softwarized model, especially for Radio Access Networks (RANs), which, as of now, mostly relies on purpose-built Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) for computing and processing tasks.On the other hand, Industry 4.0 is leading the digital transformation in manufacturing sectors, wherein the industrial networks is evolving towards wireless connectivity and the automation process managements are shifting to clouds. However, such integration may introduce unwanted disturbances to critical industrial automation processes. This leads to challenges to guaran- tee the performance of critical applications under the integration of different systems.In the work presented in this thesis, we mainly explore the feasibility of inte- grating wireless communication, industrial networks and cloud computing. We have mainly investigated the delay-inhibited challenges and the performance impacts of using cloud-native models for critical applications. We design a solution, targeting at diminishing the performance degradation caused by the integration of cloud computing

Sustainable gardens for smart cities using low-power communications

This paper presents a study on smart gardens in the context of smart cities, a topic that has been gaining more and more interest from the public due to the numerous problems that are felt both in terms of the environment and in terms of food consumption which, due to population increase and migration towards cities, has become a sustainability problem as agricultural production is moving further away from the consumers thus making it harder to obtain fresh good such as fruits and vegetables. Using IoT combined with communication technologies such as LoRa that have Low-power and wide-area network capabilities, it is possible to create systems that enhance sustainability through a more efficient use of resources while also making its users be more involved with the plant cultivation process and, therefore, develop more empathy towards this topic and nature in general. Several smart garden systems and contexts in which those systems are implemented will be analyzed to understand what can be done within this research field.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio