Cognitive relay nodes for airborne LTE emergency networks

This paper is proposing a novel concept of Cognitive Relay Node for intelligently improving the radio coverage of an airborne LTE emergency network, considering the scenarios outlined in the ABSOLUTE research project. The proposed network model was simulated comparing the different cases of deploying relay nodes to complement the coverage of an aerial LTE network. Simulation results of the proposed Cognitive Relay Nodes show significant performance improvement in terms of radio coverage quantified by the regional outage probability enhancement. Also, this paper is presenting the methodology and results of choosing the optimum aerial eNodeB altitude

Aerial-terrestrial communications: terrestrial cooperation and energy-efficient transmissions to aerial-base stations

Hybrid aerial-terrestrial communication networks based on low-altitude platforms are expected to meet optimally the urgent communication needs of emergency relief and recovery operations for tackling large-scale natural disasters. The energy-efficient operation of such networks is important given that the entire network infrastructure, including the battery-operated ground terminals, exhibits requirements to operate under power-constrained situations. In this paper, we discuss the design and evaluation of an adaptive cooperative scheme intended to extend the survivability of the battery-operated aerial-terrestrial communication links. We propose and evaluate a real-time adaptive cooperative transmission strategy for dynamic selection between direct and cooperative links based on the channel conditions for improved energy efficiency. We show that the cooperation between mobile terrestrial terminals on the ground could improve energy efficiency in the uplink, depending on the temporal behavior of the terrestrial and aerial uplink channels. The corresponding delay in having cooperative (relay-based) communications with relay selection is also addressed. The simulation analysis corroborates that the adaptive transmission technique improves overall energy efficiency of the network whilst maintaining low latency, enabling real-time applications

Empirical stairwell propagation models for long term evolution applications

This thesis presents investigation of path loss, PL, and shadowing, Xσ, of signal wave along and about multi floor stairways that have dog-leg stairwell configuration. The objective is to develop frequency-dependent empirical propagation models that could approximate PL and Xσ for two conditions. The first condition is when both transmitter, Tx, and receiver, Rx, are within the stairwell structure. The second condition is when either one of the Tx or Rx is inside adjacent rooms to the stairwells. Attention was also drawn towards the influence of stair flights and floor height to attenuation of signal wave as it propagates within the stairwell. Analysing the impact of the aforementioned structures within the stairwell, signal wave propagating between stairwell and adjacent in-building space as well as developing frequency-dependant empirical propagation model are research areas which have yet to be covered by previous propagation studies pertaining to multi floor stairway. Frequencies of interest, f, ranged from 0.7 GHz up to 2.5 GHz that cover various long term evolution (LTE) and public safety communication bands. Research works involved measurement campaign in four different multi-floor buildings inside Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s campus. PL’s relations with separation distance between Tx and Rx, d, and f were formulated with auxiliary site-specific terms added to improve two proposed empirical propagation models. It was found that for signal wave propagation where both Tx and Rx were within the stairwell, placing Rx at elevated or lower position than Tx does not influence significantly recorded PL data. However, for propagation between stairwell and adjacent rooms, placing Rx at elevated or lower than Tx may influence significantly recorded PL data. Suitable measurement campaign planning was arranged in the light of this finding. The proposed models were then examined and compared with ITU-R, COST and WINNER II indoor empirical propagation models. From measurement in dedicated testing sites, it was demonstrated that the proposed models have the smallest computed mean, μR, relative to the other standard models. The largest μR was -2.96 dB with a 3.34 dB standard deviation, σR. On the other hand, results from COST, ITU-R and WINNER II models demonstrated lower precision in all inspected settings, with the largest μR being 8.06 dB, 7.71 dB and 15.98 dB respectively and their σR being 3.79 dB, 6.82 dB and 9.40 dB accordingly. The results suggest that the proposed PL models, which considered the impact of building structures within and about the stairwell could provide higher PL prediction’s accuracy for wireless communication planning pertaining to the stairwell environment, particularly for public safety responders

Performance evaluation of future wireless networks: node cooperation and aerial networks

Perhaps future historians will only refer to this era as the \emph{information age}, and will recognize it as a paramount milestone in mankind progress. One of the main pillars of this age is the ability to transmit and communicate information effectively and reliably, where wireless radio technology became one of the most vital enablers for such communication. A growth in radio communication demand is notably accelerating in a never-resting pace, pausing a great challenge not only on service providers but also on researches and innovators to explore out-of-the-box technologies. These challenges are mainly related to providing faster data communication over seamless, reliable and cost efficient wireless network, given the limited availability of physical radio resources, and taking into consideration the environmental impact caused by the increasing energy consumption. Traditional wireless communication is usually deployed in a cellular manner, where fixed base stations coordinate radio resources and play the role of an intermediate data handler. The concept of cellular networks and hotspots is widely adopted as the current stable scheme of wireless communication. However in many situations this fixed infrastructure could be impaired with severe damages caused by natural disasters, or could suffer congestions and traffic blockage. In addition to the fact that in the current networks any mobile-to-mobile data sessions should pass through the serving base station that might cause unnecessary energy consumption. In order to enhance the performance and reliability of future wireless networks and to reduce its environmental footprint, we explore two complementary concepts: the first is node cooperation and the second is aerial networks. With the ability of wireless nodes to cooperate lays two main possible opportunities; one is the ability of the direct delivery of information between the communicating nodes without relaying traffic through the serving base station, thus reducing energy consumption and alleviating traffic congestion. A second opportunity would be that one of the nodes helps a farther one by relaying its traffic towards the base station, thus extending network coverage and reliability. Both schemes can introduce significant energy saving and can enhance the overall availability of wireless networks in case of natural disasters. In addition to node cooperation, a complementary technology to explore is the \emph{aerial networks} where base stations are airborne on aerial platforms such as airships, UAVs or blimps. Aerial networks can provide a rapidly deployable coverage for remote areas or regions afflicted by natural disasters or even to patch surge traffic demand in public events. Where node cooperation can be implemented to complement both regular terrestrial coverage and to complement aerial networks. In this research, we explore these two complementary technologies, from both an experimental approach and from an analytic approach. From the experimental perspective we shed the light on the radio channel properties that is hosting terrestrial node cooperation and air-to-ground communication, namely we utilize both simulation results and practical measurements to formulate radio propagation models for device-to-device communication and for air-to-ground links. Furthermore we investigate radio spectrum availability for node cooperation in different urban environment, by conductive extensive mobile measurement survey. Within the experimental approach, we also investigate a novel concept of temporary cognitive femtocell network as an applied solution for public safety communication networks during the aftermath of a natural disaster. While from the analytical perspective, we utilize mathematical tools from stochastic geometry to formulate novel analytical methodologies, explaining some of the most important theoretical boundaries of the achievable enhancements in network performance promised by node cooperation. We start by determining the estimated coverage and rate received by mobile users from convectional cellular networks and from aerial platforms. After that we optimize this coverage and rate ensuring that relay nodes and users can fully exploit their coverage efficiently. We continue by analytically quantifying the cellular network performance during massive infrastructure failure, where some nodes play the role of low-power relays forming multi-hop communication links to assist farther nodes outside the reach of the healthy network coverage. In addition, we lay a mathematical framework for estimating the energy saving of a mediating relay assisting a pair of wireless devices, where we derive closed-form expressions for describing the geometrical zone where relaying is energy efficient. Furthermore, we introduce a novel analytic approach in analyzing the energy consumption of aerial-backhauled wireless nodes on ground fields through the assistance of an aerial base station, the novel mathematical framework is based on Mat\'{e}rn hard-core point process. Then we shed the light on the points interacting of these point processes quantifying their main properties. Throughout this thesis we relay on verifying the analytic results and formulas against computer simulations using Monte-Carlo analysis. We also present practical numerical examples to reflect the usefulness of the presented methodologies and results in real life scenarios. Most of the work presented in this dissertation was published in-part or as a whole in highly ranked peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, book chapters, or otherwise currently undergoing a review process. These publications are highlighted and identified in the course of this thesis. Finally, we wish the reader to enjoy exploring the journey of this thesis, and hope it will add more understanding to the promising new technologies of aerial networks and node cooperation

Temporary cognitive femtocell network for public safety LTE

In this paper we address the deployment of a temporary cognitive secondary LTE Femtocell network in order to supplement and enhance the coverage of a regular LTE network for public safety communications. We propose a novel approach in deploying such cognitive secondary network by exploiting the latest LTE-Advanced HetNet capabilities. We also present two interference mitigation techniques for mitigating the interference caused by the presence of the secondary cognitive LTE network. Simulation results are presented to show the enhancement in the coverage when such a secondary network is deployed together with the proposed interference mitigation techniques

Conception d'un modèle novateur améliorant la performance dans les réseaux de la sécurité publique sur LTE hétérogènes

Durant les situations d’urgences, la disponibilité des moyens de télécommunications est cruciale et indispensable pour les usagers des réseaux de la Sécurité Publique (PSN). En revanche, durant de tels moments, le besoin en échange d’information croît d’une façon spectaculaire. Par conséquent, l’accès au médium radio devient congestionné très rapidement. Malheureusement, durant ces moments, les ressources dédiées aux réseaux (PSN) ne semblent pas être suffisantes pour satisfaire toutes les requêtes d’établissement des nouveaux bearers. Les réseaux LTE viennent donc contribuer à la résolution de cette problématique, en offrant l’accès à la Radio Commerciale Partagée pour le réseau PSN, avec une certaine priorisation, afin d’améliorer les communications PSN lors des situations d’urgences. Néanmoins, cet accès ne doit pas accaparer toutes les ressources du réseau commercial. De plus, la technologie LTE permet l’utilisation des communications Device-to-Device qui consiste à échanger l’information directement entre les équipements sans avoir à passer par l’eNodeB. Les communications D2D doivent donc être exploitées pour contourner les problèmes de congestion, surtout lors des désastres. Par ailleurs, l’amélioration de la performance des réseaux PSN ne se limite pas dans la gestion efficace des ressources radio. L’allocation des ressources de bande passante au niveau du réseau Backhaul et du réseau coeur LTE doit aussi être améliorée. Dans cette thèse un nouveau modèle novateur a été conçu pour l’amélioration de la performance dans les réseaux de la sécurité publique sur les réseaux LTE hétérogènes. Ce modèle qui compte dix solutions, intervient sur les trois réseaux composant le réseau LTE, à savoir le réseau d’accès, le réseau Backhaul et le réseau coeur LTE. Nos différentes solutions ont toutes été validées par simulations, et ont toutes apporté une amélioration par rapport à aux approches classiques ou par rapport à d’autres approches existantes dans la littérature