Software Defined Radio for NB-IoT

The next generation of mobile radio systems is expected to providing wireless connectivity for a wide range of new applications and services involving not only people but also machines and objects. Within few years, billions of low-cost and low-complexity devices and sensors will be connected to the Internet, forming a converged ecosystem called Internet of Things (IoT). As a result, in 2016, 3GPP standardizes NB-IoT, the new narrowband radio technology developed for the IoT market. Massive connectivity, reduced UE complexity, coverage extension and deployment flexibility are the targets for this new radio interface, which also ensures harmonious coexistence with current GSM, GPRS and LTE systems. In parallel, the rise of open-source software combined with Software Defined Radio (SDR) solutions has completely changed radio systems engineering in the late years. This thesis focuses on developing the NB-IoT’s protocol stack on the EURECOM’s open-source software platform OpenAirInterface (OAI). First part of this work aims to implement NB-IoT’s Radio Resource Control functionalities on OAI. After an introduction to the platform architecture, a new RRC layer code structure and related interfaces are defined, along with a new approach for Signalling Radio Bearers management. A deep analysis on System Information scheduling is conducted and a subframe-based transmission scheme is then proposed. The last part of this thesis addresses the implementation of a multi-vendor platform interface based on Small Cell Forum’s Functional Application Platform Interface (FAPI) standard. A configurable and dynamically loadable Interface Module (IF-Module) is designed between OAI’s MAC and PHY layers. Primitives and related code structures are presented as well as corresponding Data and Configuration’s procedures. Finally, the convergence of both NB-IoT and FAPI requirements lead to re-design PHY layer mechanisms for which a downlink transmission scheme is proposed

Remote MIB-item look-up service

Despite some deficiencies, the Internet management framework is widely deployed and thousands of management information base (MIB) modules have been defined thus far. These modules are used by implementers of agent software, as well as by managers and management applications, to understand the syntax and semantics of the management information that may be exchanged. At the manager's side, MIB modules are usually stored in separate files, which are maintained by the human manager and read by the management application. Since maintenance of this file repository can be cumbersome, management applications are often confronted with incomplete and outdated information. To solve this "meta-management" problem, this paper discusses the design of a remote look-up service for MIB-item definitions. Such a service facilitates the retrieval of missing MIB module definitions, as well as definitions of individual MIB-items. Initially the service may be provided by a single server, but other servers can be added at later stages to improve performance and prevent copyright problems. It is envisaged that vendors of network equipment will also install servers, to distribute their vendor specific MIB. The paper describes how the service, which is provided on a best effort basis, can be accessed by managers/management applications, and how servers inform each other about the MIB modules they support

Managing ubiquitous eco cities: the role of urban telecommunication infrastructure networks and convergence technologies

A successful urban management system for a Ubiquitous Eco City requires an integrated approach. This integration includes bringing together economic, socio-cultural and urban development with a well orchestrated, transparent and open decision making mechanism and necessary infrastructure and technologies. Rapidly developing information and telecommunication technologies and their platforms in the late 20th Century improves urban management and enhances the quality of life and place. Telecommunication technologies provide an important base for monitoring and managing activities over wired, wireless or fibre-optic networks. Particularly technology convergence creates new ways in which the information and telecommunication technologies are used. The 21st Century is an era where information has converged, in which people are able to access a variety of services, including internet and location based services, through multi-functional devices such as mobile phones and provides opportunities in the management of Ubiquitous Eco Cities. This paper discusses the recent developments in telecommunication networks and trends in convergence technologies and their implications on the management of Ubiquitous Eco Cities and how this technological shift is likely to be beneficial in improving the quality of life and place. The paper also introduces recent approaches on urban management systems, such as intelligent urban management systems, that are suitable for Ubiquitous Eco Cities

Slovenian Virtual Gallery on the Internet

The Slovenian Virtual Gallery (SVG) is a World Wide Web based multimedia collection of pictures, text, clickable-maps and video clips presenting Slovenian fine art from the gothic period up to the present days. Part of SVG is a virtual gallery space where pictures hang on the walls while another part is devoted to current exhibitions of selected Slovenian art galleries. The first version of this application was developed in the first half of 1995. It was based on a file system for storing all the data and custom developed software for search, automatic generation of HTML documents, scaling of pictures and remote management of the system. Due to the fast development of Web related tools a new version of SVG was developed in 1997 based on object-oriented relational database server technology. Both implementations are presented and compared in this article with issues related to the transion between the two versions. At the end, we will also discuss some extensions to SVG. We will present the GUI (Graphical User Interface) developed specially for presentation of current exhibitions over the Web which is based on GlobalView panoramic navigation extension to developed Internet Video Server (IVS). And since SVG operates with a lot of image data, we will confront with the problem of Image Content Retrieval

A contrasting look at self-organization in the Internet and next-generation communication networks

This article examines contrasting notions of self-organization in the Internet and next-generation communication networks, by reviewing in some detail recent evidence regarding several of the more popular attempts to explain prominent features of Internet structure and behavior as "emergent phenomena." In these examples, what might appear to the nonexpert as "emergent self-organization" in the Internet actually results from well conceived (albeit perhaps ad hoc) design, with explanations that are mathematically rigorous, in agreement with engineering reality, and fully consistent with network measurements. These examples serve as concrete starting points from which networking researchers can assess whether or not explanations involving self-organization are relevant or appropriate in the context of next-generation communication networks, while also highlighting the main differences between approaches to self-organization that are rooted in engineering design vs. those inspired by statistical physics