Heterogeneous Networking: An Enabling Paradigm for Ubiquitous Wireless Communications

In this paper we explore the principle of heterogeneous wireless networking and discuss the potential avenues towards the realization of the ubiquitous wireless communications. Specifically, we demonstrate that the heterogeneous network architecture, constituted by the fusion of the classic cellular and the ad hoc network topologies, inherits the vital complementary characteristics of both architectures, and thus has the potential of attaining the levels of performance and efficiency required by the future wireless communications

Security models for heterogeneous networking.

Security for Next Generation Networks (NGNs) is an attractive topic for many research groups. The Y-Comm security group believes that a new security approach is needed to address the security challenges in 4G networks. This paper sheds light on our approach of providing security for the Y-Comm architecture as an example of 4G communication frameworks. Our approach proposes a four-layer security integrated module to protect data and three targeted security models to protect different network entities, thus providing security in different situations without affecting the dynamics of the 4G networks

A QoS framework for heterogeneous networking

In order for next generation networks to support effective handover procedures, there is a need for defining QoS signaling mechanisms that guarantee the provision of point- to- point as well as network level QoS. This paper proposes a QoS signaling mechanism to be implemented by the Y-Comm architecture as a potential 4G framework. The proposed mechanism requires certain level of cooperation among network elements; therefore, it proposes some functional modules/ interfaces to be run on different network entities. As showed in the paper, the proposed mechanism could be implemented in different scenarios such as initial registration and connection, and also in the case of handover

An architectural framework for heterogeneous networking.

The growth over the last decade in the use of wireless networking devices has been explosive. Soon many devices will have multiple network interfaces, each with very different characteristics. We believe that a framework that encapsulates the key challenges of heterogeneous networking is required. Like a map clearly helps one to plan a journey, a framework is needed to help us move forward in this unexplored area. The approach taken here is similar to the OSImodel in which tightly defined layers are used to specify functionality, allowing a modular approach to the extension of systems and the interchange of their components, whilst providing a model that is more oriented to heterogeneity and mobility

Y-Comm: a global architecture for heterogeneous networking.

In the near future mobile devices with several interfaces will become commonplace. Most of the peripheral networks using the Internet will therefore employ wireless technology. To provide support for these devices, this paper proposes a new framework which encompasses the functions of both peripheral and core networks. The framework is called Y-Comm and is defined in a layered manner like the OSI model

An Efficient Requirement-Aware Attachment Policy for Future Millimeter Wave Vehicular Networks

The automotive industry is rapidly evolving towards connected and autonomous vehicles, whose ever more stringent data traffic requirements might exceed the capacity of traditional technologies for vehicular networks. In this scenario, densely deploying millimeter wave (mmWave) base stations is a promising approach to provide very high transmission speeds to the vehicles. However, mmWave signals suffer from high path and penetration losses which might render the communication unreliable and discontinuous. Coexistence between mmWave and Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication systems has therefore been considered to guarantee increased capacity and robustness through heterogeneous networking. Following this rationale, we face the challenge of designing fair and efficient attachment policies in heterogeneous vehicular networks. Traditional methods based on received signal quality criteria lack consideration of the vehicle's individual requirements and traffic demands, and lead to suboptimal resource allocation across the network. In this paper we propose a Quality-of-Service (QoS) aware attachment scheme which biases the cell selection as a function of the vehicular service requirements, preventing the overload of transmission links. Our simulations demonstrate that the proposed strategy significantly improves the percentage of vehicles satisfying application requirements and delivers efficient and fair association compared to state-of-the-art schemes.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, accepted to the 30th IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposiu

Heterogeneous V2V Communications in Multi-Link and Multi-RAT Vehicular Networks

Connected and automated vehicles will enable advanced traffic safety and efficiency applications thanks to the dynamic exchange of information between vehicles, and between vehicles and infrastructure nodes. Connected vehicles can utilize IEEE 802.11p for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications. However, a widespread deployment of connected vehicles and the introduction of connected automated driving applications will notably increase the bandwidth and scalability requirements of vehicular networks. This paper proposes to address these challenges through the adoption of heterogeneous V2V communications in multi-link and multi-RAT vehicular networks. In particular, the paper proposes the first distributed (and decentralized) context-aware heterogeneous V2V communications algorithm that is technology and application agnostic, and that allows each vehicle to autonomously and dynamically select its communications technology taking into account its application requirements and the communication context conditions. This study demonstrates the potential of heterogeneous V2V communications, and the capability of the proposed algorithm to satisfy the vehicles' application requirements while approaching the estimated upper bound network capacity