Software Defined Applications in Cellular and Optical Networks

abstract: Small wireless cells have the potential to overcome bottlenecks in wireless access through the sharing of spectrum resources. A novel access backhaul network architecture based on a Smart Gateway (Sm-GW) between the small cell base stations, e.g., LTE eNBs, and the conventional backhaul gateways, e.g., LTE Servicing/Packet Gateways (S/P-GWs) has been introduced to address the bottleneck. The Sm-GW flexibly schedules uplink transmissions for the eNBs. Based on software defined networking (SDN) a management mechanism that allows multiple operator to flexibly inter-operate via multiple Sm-GWs with a multitude of small cells has been proposed. This dissertation also comprehensively survey the studies that examine the SDN paradigm in optical networks. Along with the PHY functional split improvements, the performance of Distributed Converged Cable Access Platform (DCCAP) in the cable architectures especially for the Remote-PHY and Remote-MACPHY nodes has been evaluated. In the PHY functional split, in addition to the re-use of infrastructure with a common FFT module for multiple technologies, a novel cross functional split interaction to cache the repetitive QAM symbols across time at the remote node to reduce the transmission rate requirement of the fronthaul link has been proposed.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 201

A survey on OFDM-based elastic core optical networking

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a modulation technology that has been widely adopted in many new and emerging broadband wireless and wireline communication systems. Due to its capability to transmit a high-speed data stream using multiple spectral-overlapped lower-speed subcarriers, OFDM technology offers superior advantages of high spectrum efficiency, robustness against inter-carrier and inter-symbol interference, adaptability to server channel conditions, etc. In recent years, there have been intensive studies on optical OFDM (O-OFDM) transmission technologies, and it is considered a promising technology for future ultra-high-speed optical transmission. Based on O-OFDM technology, a novel elastic optical network architecture with immense flexibility and scalability in spectrum allocation and data rate accommodation could be built to support diverse services and the rapid growth of Internet traffic in the future. In this paper, we present a comprehensive survey on OFDM-based elastic optical network technologies, including basic principles of OFDM, O-OFDM technologies, the architectures of OFDM-based elastic core optical networks, and related key enabling technologies. The main advantages and issues of OFDM-based elastic core optical networks that are under research are also discussed

Cost-effective Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure for Tanziania

The research conducted an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field survey, the results revealed that Tanzania is still lagging behind in the ICT sector due to the lack of an internationally connected terrestrial ICT infrastructure; Internet connectivity to the rest of the world is via expensive satellite links, thus leaving the majority of the population unable to access the Internet services due to its high cost. Therefore, an ICT backbone infrastructure is designed that exploits optical DWDM network technology, which un-locks bandwidth bottlenecks and provides higher capacity which will provide ICT services such as Internet, voice, videos and other multimedia interactions at an affordable cost to the majority of the people who live in the urban and rural areas of Tanzania. The research analyses and compares the performance, and system impairments, in a DWDM system at data transmission rates of 2.5 Gb/s and 10 Gb/s per wavelength channel. The simulation results show that a data transmission rate of 2.5 Gb/s can be successfully transmitted over a greater distance than 10 Gb/s with minimum system impairments. Also operating at the lower data rate delivers a good system performance for the required ICT services. A forty-channel DWDM system will provide a bandwidth of 100 Gb/s. A cost analysis demonstrates the economic worth of incorporating existing optical fibre installations into an optical DWDM network for the creation of an affordable ICT backbone infrastructure; this approach is compared with building a completely new optical fibre DWDM network or a SONET/SDH network. The results show that the ICT backbone infrastructure built with existing SSMF DWDM network technology is a good investment, in terms of profitability, even if the Internet charges are reduced to half current rates. The case for building a completely new optical fibre DWDM network or a SONET/SDH network is difficult to justify using current financial data

IP/optical integration in access network infrastructures: key issues on resource provisioning

This thesis contributes to the advancement of Fiber-Wireless (FiWi) access technologies, through the development of algorithms for resource allocation and energy efficient routing. FiWi access networks use both optical and wireless/cellular technologies to provide high bandwidth and ubiquity, required by users and current high demanding services. FiWi access technologies are divided in two parts. In one of the parts, fiber is brought from the central office to near the users, while in the other part wireless routers or base stations take over and provide Internet access to users. Many technologies can be used at both the optical and wireless parts, which lead to different integration and optimization problems to be solved. In this thesis, the focus will be on FiWi access networks that use a passive optical network at the optical section and a wireless mesh network at the wireless section. In such networks, two important aspects that influence network performance are: allocation of resources and traffic routing throughout the mesh section. In this thesis, both problems are addressed. A fair bandwidth allocation algorithm is developed, which provides fairness in terms of bandwidth and in terms of experienced delays among all users. As for routing, an energy efficient routing algorithm is proposed that optimizes sleeping and productive periods throughout the wireless and optical sections. To develop the stated algorithms, game theory and networks formation theory were used. These are powerful mathematical tools that can be used to solve problems involving agents with conflicting interests. Since, usually, these tools are not common knowledge, a brief survey on game theory and network formation theory is provided to explain the concepts that are used throughout the thesis. As such, this thesis also serves as a showcase on the use of game theory and network formation theory to develop new algorithms

Cross-Layer Platform for Dynamic, Energy-Efficient Optical Networks

The design of the next-generation Internet infrastructure is driven by the need to sustain the massive growth in bandwidth demands. Novel, energy-efficient, optical networking technologies and architectures are required to effectively meet the stringent performance requirements with low cost and ultrahigh energy efficiencies. In this thesis, a cross-layer communications platform is proposed to enable greater intelligence and functionality on the physical layer. Providing the optical layer with advanced networking capabilities will facilitate the dynamic management and optimization of optical switching based on performance monitoring measurements and higher-layer attributes. The cross-layer platform aims to create a new framework for networks to incorporate packet-scale measurement subsystems and techniques for monitoring the health of the optical channel. This will allow for quality-of-service- and energy-aware routing schemes, as well as an enhanced awareness of the optical data signals. This thesis first presents the design and development of an optical packet switching fabric. Leveraging a networking test-bed environment to validate networking hypotheses, advanced switching functionalities are demonstrated, including the support for quality-of-service based routing and packet multicasting. The investigated cross-layering is based on emerging optical technologies, enabling packet protection techniques and packet-rate switching fabric reconfiguration. Coupled with fast performance monitoring, the platform will achieve significant performance gains within the endeavor of all-optical switching. Allowing for a more intelligent, programmable optical layer aims to support greater flexibility with respect to bandwidth allocation and potentially a significant reduction in the network's energy consumption. The ultimate deliverable of this work is a high-performance, cross-layer enabled optical network node. The experimental demonstration of an initial prototype creates a dynamic network element with distributed control plane management, featuring fast packet-rate optical switching capabilities and embedded physical-layer performance monitoring modules. The cross-layer box enables an intelligent traffic delivery system that can dynamically manipulate optical switching on a packet-granular scale. With the goal of achieving advanced multi-layer routing and control algorithms, the network node requires an intelligent co-optimization across all the layers. The proposed cross-layer design should drive optical technologies and architectures in an innovative way, in order to fulfill the void between the design of basic photonic devices and the networking protocols that use them. The performance of the entire network -- from the optical components, to the routing algorithms and user applications -- should be optimized in concert. This contribution to the area of cross-layer network design creates an adaptable optical pipe that is extremely flexible and intelligent aware of both the physical optical signals and higher-layer requirements. The impact of this work will be seen in the realization of dynamic, energy-efficient optical communication links in future networking infrastructures

Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers and mm-Wave Wireless Links for Converged Access Networks

Future access networks are converged optical-wireless networks, where fixed-line and wireless services share the same infrastructure. In this book, semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) and mm-wave wireless links are investigated, and their use in converged access networks is explored: SOAs compensate losses in the network, and thereby extend the network reach. Millimeter-wave wireless links substitute fiber links when cabling is not economical

Resilience mechanisms for carrier-grade networks

In recent years, the advent of new Future Internet (FI) applications is creating ever-demanding requirements. These requirements are pushing network carriers for high transport capacity, energy efficiency, as well as high-availability services with low latency. A widespread practice to provide FI services is the adoption of a multi-layer network model consisting in the use of IP/MPLS and optical technologies such as Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). Indeed, optical transport technologies are the foundation supporting the current telecommunication network backbones, because of the high transmission bandwidth achieved in fiber optical networks. Traditional optical networks consist of a fixed 50 GHz grid, resulting in a low Optical Spectrum (OS) utilization, specifically with transmission rates above 100 Gbps. Recently, optical networks have been undergoing significant changes with the purpose of providing a flexible grid that can fully exploit the potential of optical networks. This has led to a new network paradigm termed as Elastic Optical Network (EON). In recent years, the advent of new Future Internet (FI) applications is creating ever-demanding requirements. A widespread practice to provide FI services is the adoption of a multi-layer network model consisting in the use of IP/MPLS and optical technologies such as Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). Traditional optical networks consist of a fixed 50 GHz grid, resulting in a low Optical Spectrum (OS) utilization. Recently, optical networks have been undergoing significant changes with the purpose of providing a flexible grid that can fully exploit the potential of optical networks. This has led to a new network paradigm termed as Elastic Optical Network (EON). Recently, a new protection scheme referred to as Network Coding Protection (NCP) has emerged as an innovative solution to proactively enable protection in an agile and efficient manner by means of throughput improvement techniques such as Network Coding. It is an intuitive reasoning that the throughput advantages of NCP might be magnified by means of the flexible-grid provided by EONs. The goal of this thesis is three-fold. The first, is to study the advantages of NCP schemes in planning scenarios. For this purpose, this thesis focuses on the performance of NCP assuming both a fixed as well as a flexible spectrum grid. However, conversely to planning scenarios, in dynamic scenarios the accuracy of Network State Information (NSI) is crucial since inaccurate NSI might substantially affect the performance of an NCP scheme. The second contribution of this thesis is to study the performance of protection schemes in dynamic scenarios considering inaccurate NSI. For this purpose, this thesis explores prediction techniques in order to mitigate the negative effects of inaccurate NSI. On the other hand, Internet users are continuously demanding new requirements that cannot be supported by the current host-oriented communication model.This communication model is not suitable for future Internet architectures such as the so-called Internet of Things (IoT). Fortunately, there is a new trend in network research referred to as ID/Locator Split Architectures (ILSAs) which is a non-disruptive technique to mitigate the issues related to host-oriented communications. Moreover, a new routing architecture referred to as Path Computation Element (PCE) has emerged with the aim of overcoming the well-known issues of the current routing schemes. Undoubtedly, routing and protection schemes need to be enhanced to fully exploit the advantages provided by new network architectures.In light of this, the third goal of this thesis introduces a novel PCE-like architecture termed as Context-Aware PCE. In a context-aware PCE scenario, the driver of a path computation is not a host/location, as in conventional PCE architectures, rather it is an interest for a service defined within a context.En los últimos años la llegada de nuevas aplicaciones del llamado Internet del Futuro (FI) está creando requerimientos sumamente exigentes. Estos requerimientos están empujando a los proveedores de redes a incrementar sus capacidades de transporte, eficiencia energética, y sus prestaciones de servicios de alta disponibilidad con baja latencia. Es una práctica sumamente extendida para proveer servicios (FI) la adopción de un modelo multi-capa el cual consiste en el uso de tecnologías IP/MPLS así como también ópticas como por ejemplo Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). De hecho, las tecnologías de transporte son el sustento del backbone de las redes de telecomunicaciones actuales debido al gran ancho de banda que proveen las redes de fibra óptica. Las redes ópticas tradicionales consisten en el uso de un espectro fijo de 50 GHz. Esto resulta en una baja utilización del espectro Óptico, específicamente con tasas de transmisiones superiores a 100 Gbps. Recientemente, las redes ópticas están experimentado cambios significativos con el propósito de proveer un espectro flexible que pueda explotar el potencial de las redes ópticas. Esto ha llevado a un nuevo paradigma denominado Redes Ópticas Elásticas (EON). Por otro lado, un nuevo esquema de protección llamado Network Coding Protection (NCP) ha emergido como una solución innovadora para habilitar de manera proactiva protección eficiente y ágil usando técnicas de mejora de throughput como es Network Coding (NC). Es un razonamiento lógico pensar que las ventajas relacionadas con throughput de NCP pueden ser magnificadas mediante el espectro flexible proveído por las redes EONs. El objetivo de esta tesis es triple. El primero es estudiar las ventajas de esquemas NCP en un escenario de planificación. Para este propósito, esta tesis se enfoca en el rendimiento de NCP asumiendo un espectro fijo y un espectro flexible. Sin embargo, contrario a escenarios de planificación, en escenarios dinámicos la precisión relacionada de la Información de Estado de Red (NSI) es crucial, ya que la imprecisión de NSI puede afectar sustancialmente el rendimiento de un esquema NCP. La segunda contribución de esta tesis es el estudio del rendimiento de esquemas de protección en escenarios dinámicos considerando NSI no precisa. Para este propósito, esta tesis explora técnicas predictivas con el propósito de mitigar los efectos negativos de NSI impreciso. Por otro lado, los usuarios de Internet están demandando continuamente nuevos requerimientos los cuales no pueden ser soportados por el modelo de comunicación orientado a hosts. Este modelo de comunicaciones no es factible para arquitecturas FI como es el Internet de las cosas (IoT). Afortunadamente, existe un nueva línea investigativa llamada ID/Locator Split Architectures (ILSAs) la cual es una técnica no disruptiva para mitigar los problemas relacionadas con el modelo de comunicación orientado a hosts. Además, un nuevo esquema de enrutamiento llamado as Path Computation Element (PCE) ha emergido con el propósito de superar los problemas bien conocidos de los esquemas de enrutamiento tradicionales. Indudablemente, los esquemas de enrutamiento y protección deben ser mejorados para que estos puedan explotar las ventajas introducidas por las nuevas arquitecturas de redes. A luz de esto, el tercer objetivo de esta tesis es introducir una nueva arquitectura PCE denominada Context-Aware PCE. En un escenario context-aware PCE, el objetivo de una acción de computación de camino no es un host o localidad, como es el caso en lo esquemas PCE tradicionales. Más bien, es un interés por un servicio definido dentro de una información de contexto