1,724 research outputs found
Control-data separation architecture for cellular radio access networks: a survey and outlook
Conventional cellular systems are designed to ensure ubiquitous coverage with an always present wireless channel irrespective of the spatial and temporal demand of service. This approach raises several problems due to the tight coupling between network and data access points, as well as the paradigm shift towards data-oriented services, heterogeneous deployments and network densification. A logical separation between control and data planes is seen as a promising solution that could overcome these issues, by providing data services under the umbrella of a coverage layer. This article presents a holistic survey of existing literature on the control-data separation architecture (CDSA) for cellular radio access networks. As a starting point, we discuss the fundamentals, concepts, and general structure of the CDSA. Then, we point out limitations of the conventional architecture in futuristic deployment scenarios. In addition, we present and critically discuss the work that has been done to investigate potential benefits of the CDSA, as well as its technical challenges and enabling technologies. Finally, an overview of standardisation proposals related to this research vision is provided
Predictive and core-network efficient RRC signalling for active state handover in RANs with control/data separation
Frequent handovers (HOs) in dense small cell deployment scenarios could lead to a dramatic
increase in signalling overhead. This suggests a paradigm shift towards a signalling conscious cellular
architecture with intelligent mobility management. In this direction, a futuristic radio access network
with a logical separation between control and data planes has been proposed in research community. It
aims to overcome limitations of the conventional architecture by providing high data rate services under
the umbrella of a coverage layer in a dual connection mode. This approach enables signalling efficient
HO procedures, since the control plane remains unchanged when the users move within the footprint of
the same umbrella. Considering this configuration, we propose a core-network efficient radio resource
control (RRC) signalling scheme for active state HO and develop an analytical framework to evaluate its
signalling load as a function of network density, user mobility and session characteristics. In addition,
we propose an intelligent HO prediction scheme with advance resource preparation in order to minimise
the HO signalling latency. Numerical and simulation results show promising gains in terms of reduction
in HO latency and signalling load as compared with conventional approaches
W-Band Pancharatnam Half Wave Plate Based on Negative Refractive Index Metamaterials
Electromagnetic metamaterials, made from arrangements of subwavelength sized
structures, can be used to manipulate radiation. Designing metamaterials that
have a positive refractive index along one axis and a negative refractive index
along the orthogonal axis can result in birefringences, . The
effect can be used to create wave plates with subwavelength thicknesses.
Previous attempts at making wave plates in this way have resulted in very
narrow usable bandwidths. In this paper, we use the Pancharatnam method to
increase the usable bandwidth. A combination of Finite Element Method and
Transmission Line models were used to optimise the final design. Experimental
results are compared to the modelled data.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figures. Accepted on 2014-02-18 for publication in
Applied Optics. This paper is made available as an electronic reprint with
the permission of OS
Mobility Prediction for Handover Management in Cellular Networks with Control/Data Separation
In research community, a new radio access network architecture with a logical separation between control plane (CP) and data plane (DP) has been proposed for future cellular systems. It aims to overcome limitations of the conventional architecture by providing high data rate services under the umbrella of a coverage layer in a dual connection mode. This configuration could provide significant savings in signalling overhead. In particular, mobility robustness with minimal handover (HO) signalling is considered as one of the most promising benefits of this architecture. However, the DP mobility remains an issue that needs to be investigated. We consider predictive DP HO management as a solution that could minimise the out-of-band signalling related to the HO procedure. Thus we propose a mobility prediction scheme based on Markov Chains. The developed model predicts the user's trajectory in terms of a HO sequence in order to minimise the interruption time and the associated signalling when the HO is triggered. Depending on the prediction accuracy, numerical results show that the predictive HO management strategy could significantly reduce the signalling cost as compared with the conventional non-predictive mechanism
Memory-full context-aware predictive mobility management in dual connectivity 5G networks
Network densification with small cell deployment is being considered as one of the dominant themes in the fifth generation (5G) cellular system. Despite the capacity gains, such deployment scenarios raise several challenges from mobility management perspective. The small cell size, which implies a small cell residence time, will increase the handover (HO) rate dramatically. Consequently, the HO latency will become a critical consideration in the 5G era. The latter requires an intelligent, fast and light-weight HO procedure with minimal signalling overhead. In this direction, we propose a memory-full context-aware HO scheme with mobility prediction to achieve the aforementioned objectives. We consider a dual connectivity radio access network architecture with logical separation between control and data planes because it offers relaxed constraints in implementing the predictive approaches. The proposed scheme predicts future HO events along with the expected HO time by combining radio frequency performance to physical proximity along with the user context in terms of speed, direction and HO history. To minimise the processing and the storage requirements whilst improving the prediction performance, a user-specific prediction triggering threshold is proposed. The prediction outcome is utilised to perform advance HO signalling whilst suspending the periodic transmission of measurement reports. Analytical and simulation results show that the proposed scheme provides promising gains over the conventional approach
Unified Performance Analysis of Mixed Line of Sight RF-FSO Fixed Gain Dual-Hop Transmission Systems
In this work, we carry out a unified performance analysis of a dual-hop fixed
gain relay system over asymmetric links composed of both radio-frequency (RF)
and unified free-space optics (FSO) under the effect of pointing errors. The RF
link is modeled by the Nakagami- fading channel and the FSO link by the
Gamma-Gamma fading channel subject to both types of detection techniques (i.e.
heterodyne detection and intensity modulation with direct detection (IM/DD)).
In particular, we derive new unified closed-form expressions for the cumulative
distribution function, the probability density function, the moment generation
function, and the moments of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio of these
systems in terms of the Meijer's G function. Based on these formulas, we offer
exact closed-form expressions for the outage probability, the higher-order
amount of fading, and the average bit-error rate of a variety of binary
modulations in terms of the Meijer's G function. Further, an exact closed-form
expression for the end-to-end ergodic capacity for the Nakagami--unified FSO
relay links is derived in terms of the bivariate G function. All the given
results are verified via Computer-based Monte-Carlo simulations
Impact of Pointing Errors on the Performance of Mixed RF/FSO Dual-Hop Transmission Systems
In this work, the performance analysis of a dual-hop relay transmission
system composed of asymmetric radio-frequency (RF)/free-space optical (FSO)
links with pointing errors is presented. More specifically, we build on the
system model presented in [1] to derive new exact closed-form expressions for
the cumulative distribution function, probability density function, moment
generating function, and moments of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio in
terms of the Meijer's G function. We then capitalize on these results to offer
new exact closed-form expressions for the higher-order amount of fading,
average error rate for binary and M-ary modulation schemes, and the ergodic
capacity, all in terms of Meijer's G functions. Our new analytical results were
also verified via computer-based Monte-Carlo simulation results.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure
Performance analysis of mixed Nakagami- m and Gamma–Gamma dual-hop FSO transmission systems
In this paper, we carry out a unified performance analysis of a dual-hop relay system over the asymmetric links composed of both radio-frequency (RF) and unified free-space optical (FSO) links under the effect of pointing errors. Both fixed and variable gain relay systems are studied. The RF link is modeled by the Nakagami-m fading channel and the FSO link by the Gamma-Gamma fading channel subject to both types of detection techniques (i.e., heterodyne detection and intensity modulation with direct detection). In particular, we derive new unified closed-form expressions for the cumulative distribution function, the probability density function, the moment generating function (MGF), and the moments of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of these systems in terms of the Meijer's G function. Based on these formulas, we offer exact closed-form expressions for the outage probability (OP), the higher order amount of fading, and the average bit error rate (BER) of a variety of binary modulations in terms of the Meijer's G function. Furthermore, an exact closed-form expression of the end-to-end ergodic capacity is derived in terms of the bivariate G function. Additionally, by using the asymptotic expansion of the Meijer's G function at the high-SNR regime, we derive new asymptotic results for the OP, the MGF, and the average BER in terms of simple elementary functions
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