1,921 research outputs found
Maximum Throughput Scheduling for Multi-connectivity in Millimeter-Wave Networks
Multi-connectivity is emerging as promising solution to provide reliable
communications and seamless connectivity at the millimeter-wave frequency
range. Due to the obstacles that cause frequent interruptions at such high
frequency range, connectivity to multiple cells can drastically increase the
network performance in terms of throughput and reliability by coordination
among the network elements. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for the link
scheduling optimization that maximizes the network throughput for
multi-connectivity in millimeter-wave cellular networks. The considered
approach exploits a centralized architecture, fast link switching, proactive
context preparation and data forwarding between millimeter-wave access points
and the users. The proposed algorithm is able to numerically approach the
global optimum and to quantify the potential gain of multi-connectivity in
millimeter-wave cellular networks
An Efficient Uplink Multi-Connectivity Scheme for 5G mmWave Control Plane Applications
The millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies offer the potential of orders of
magnitude increases in capacity for next-generation cellular systems. However,
links in mmWave networks are susceptible to blockage and may suffer from rapid
variations in quality. Connectivity to multiple cells - at mmWave and/or
traditional frequencies - is considered essential for robust communication. One
of the challenges in supporting multi-connectivity in mmWaves is the
requirement for the network to track the direction of each link in addition to
its power and timing. To address this challenge, we implement a novel uplink
measurement system that, with the joint help of a local coordinator operating
in the legacy band, guarantees continuous monitoring of the channel propagation
conditions and allows for the design of efficient control plane applications,
including handover, beam tracking and initial access. We show that an
uplink-based multi-connectivity approach enables less consuming, better
performing, faster and more stable cell selection and scheduling decisions with
respect to a traditional downlink-based standalone scheme. Moreover, we argue
that the presented framework guarantees (i) efficient tracking of the user in
the presence of the channel dynamics expected at mmWaves, and (ii) fast
reaction to situations in which the primary propagation path is blocked or not
available.Comment: Submitted for publication in IEEE Transactions on Wireless
Communications (TWC
End-to-End Simulation of 5G mmWave Networks
Due to its potential for multi-gigabit and low latency wireless links,
millimeter wave (mmWave) technology is expected to play a central role in 5th
generation cellular systems. While there has been considerable progress in
understanding the mmWave physical layer, innovations will be required at all
layers of the protocol stack, in both the access and the core network.
Discrete-event network simulation is essential for end-to-end, cross-layer
research and development. This paper provides a tutorial on a recently
developed full-stack mmWave module integrated into the widely used open-source
ns--3 simulator. The module includes a number of detailed statistical channel
models as well as the ability to incorporate real measurements or ray-tracing
data. The Physical (PHY) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers are modular and
highly customizable, making it easy to integrate algorithms or compare
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) numerologies, for example.
The module is interfaced with the core network of the ns--3 Long Term Evolution
(LTE) module for full-stack simulations of end-to-end connectivity, and
advanced architectural features, such as dual-connectivity, are also available.
To facilitate the understanding of the module, and verify its correct
functioning, we provide several examples that show the performance of the
custom mmWave stack as well as custom congestion control algorithms designed
specifically for efficient utilization of the mmWave channel.Comment: 25 pages, 16 figures, submitted to IEEE Communications Surveys and
Tutorials (revised Jan. 2018
Integration of Carrier Aggregation and Dual Connectivity for the ns-3 mmWave Module
Thanks to the wide availability of bandwidth, the millimeter wave (mmWave)
frequencies will provide very high data rates to mobile users in next
generation 5G cellular networks. However, mmWave links suffer from high
isotropic pathloss and blockage from common materials, and are subject to an
intermittent channel quality. Therefore, protocols and solutions at different
layers in the cellular network and the TCP/IP protocol stack have been proposed
and studied. A valuable tool for the end-to-end performance analysis of mmWave
cellular networks is the ns-3 mmWave module, which already models in detail the
channel, Physical (PHY) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers, and extends the
Long Term Evolution (LTE) stack for the higher layers. In this paper we present
an implementation for the ns-3 mmWave module of multi connectivity techniques
for 3GPP New Radio (NR) at mmWave frequencies, namely Carrier Aggregation (CA)
and Dual Connectivity (DC), and discuss how they can be integrated to increase
the functionalities offered by the ns-3 mmWave module.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, submitted to the Workshop on ns-3 (WNS3) 201
Improved Handover Through Dual Connectivity in 5G mmWave Mobile Networks
The millimeter wave (mmWave) bands offer the possibility of orders of
magnitude greater throughput for fifth generation (5G) cellular systems.
However, since mmWave signals are highly susceptible to blockage, channel
quality on any one mmWave link can be extremely intermittent. This paper
implements a novel dual connectivity protocol that enables mobile user
equipment (UE) devices to maintain physical layer connections to 4G and 5G
cells simultaneously. A novel uplink control signaling system combined with a
local coordinator enables rapid path switching in the event of failures on any
one link. This paper provides the first comprehensive end-to-end evaluation of
handover mechanisms in mmWave cellular systems. The simulation framework
includes detailed measurement-based channel models to realistically capture
spatial dynamics of blocking events, as well as the full details of MAC, RLC
and transport protocols. Compared to conventional handover mechanisms, the
study reveals significant benefits of the proposed method under several
metrics.Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures, to appear on the 2017 IEEE JSAC Special Issue
on Millimeter Wave Communications for Future Mobile Network
Exploiting Device-to-Device Communications to Enhance Spatial Reuse for Popular Content Downloading in Directional mmWave Small Cells
With the explosive growth of mobile demand, small cells in millimeter wave
(mmWave) bands underlying the macrocell networks have attracted intense
interest from both academia and industry. MmWave communications in the 60 GHz
band are able to utilize the huge unlicensed bandwidth to provide multiple Gbps
transmission rates. In this case, device-to-device (D2D) communications in
mmWave bands should be fully exploited due to no interference with the
macrocell networks and higher achievable transmission rates. In addition, due
to less interference by directional transmission, multiple links including D2D
links can be scheduled for concurrent transmissions (spatial reuse). With the
popularity of content-based mobile applications, popular content downloading in
the small cells needs to be optimized to improve network performance and
enhance user experience. In this paper, we develop an efficient scheduling
scheme for popular content downloading in mmWave small cells, termed PCDS
(popular content downloading scheduling), where both D2D communications in
close proximity and concurrent transmissions are exploited to improve
transmission efficiency. In PCDS, a transmission path selection algorithm is
designed to establish multi-hop transmission paths for users, aiming at better
utilization of D2D communications and concurrent transmissions. After
transmission path selection, a concurrent transmission scheduling algorithm is
designed to maximize the spatial reuse gain. Through extensive simulations
under various traffic patterns, we demonstrate PCDS achieves near-optimal
performance in terms of delay and throughput, and also superior performance
compared with other existing protocols, especially under heavy load.Comment: 12 pages, to appear in IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technolog
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