Wireless SDN architecture Testbed to support IP Multimedia Subsystem

TLDR: This study designed and implemented a network architecture based on an open-source software-based LTE implementation named as OpenAirInterface (OAI), and provides a topology that combines SDWN and NFV technologies to handle the fulfilment of network slices by running Mosaic 5g FlexRAN software on top of the OAI platform.

Abstract: The fifth generation of mobile communications, promises to offer very high achievable data rate, very low latency, ultra-high reliability, along with supporting a wide range of new applications and use cases. In order to increase network scalability, service flexibility and to improve mobility management in 5g wireless networks, two new concepts have emerged, namely Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software Defined Wireless Networking (SDWN). In this study, we designed and implemented a network architecture based on an open-source software-based LTE implementation named as OpenAirInterface (OAI). OAI emulation platform is an integrated tool allowing large-scale networking experimentation. The latter can be used for prototyping innovation scheduling algorithms, making the majority of new architecture. SDWN network technology has emerged in order to deliver a high quality multiple performance system with cost benefits that includes several processes such as live monitoring, reconfiguration, control delegation and faster data-transfer. In order to test some key enablers and features of 5G mobile networks, we provide a topology that combines SDWN and NFV technologies to handle the fulfilment of network slices by running Mosaic 5g FlexRAN software on top of the OAI platform. Moreover, Clearwater IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is integrated to provide voice over IP (VoIP) service between subscribers and a Wi-Fi Access point (AP) is added to network in order to establish a heterogeneous wireless network (HetNet). Our results can serve as a reference for future optimization by the open source community.