Showing papers on "Broadband networks published in 2015"

Spectrum access system for the citizen broadband radio service

Abstract: As a part of the global effort to address the overwhelming demand for wireless broadband capacity, the wireless communities in the United States have undertaken innovative initiatives such as tiered-access to shared spectrum. The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a dynamic spectrum management framework for a Citizen Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) governed by a spectrum access system (SAS). The implementation of a SAS capable of dynamic frequency assignment and interference management is critical for the success of the proposed framework. In this paper we present the efforts toward a spectrum sharing system in the U.S. context by summarizing different interest groups’ standpoint on the FCC proposed framework. We also present an example SAS architecture that accommodates the tiered access to shared spectrum and example approaches to achieve important SAS capabilities.

Annoyed Users: Ads and Ad-Block Usage in the Wild

Abstract: Content and services which are offered for free on the Internet are primarily monetized through online advertisement. This business model relies on the implicit agreement between content providers and users where viewing ads is the price for the "free" content. This status quo is not acceptable to all users, however, as manifested by the rise of ad-blocking plugins which are available for all popular Web browsers. Indeed, ad-blockers have the potential to substantially disrupt the widely established business model of "free" content, currently one of the core elements on which the Web is built.In this work, we shed light on how users interact with ads. We show how to leverage the functionality of AdBlock Plus, one of the most popular ad-blockers to identify ad traffic from passive network measurements. We complement previous work, which focuses on active measurements, by characterizing ad-traffic in the wild, i.e., as seen in a residential broadband network of a major European ISP. Finally, we assess the prevalence of ad-blockers in this particular network and discuss possible implications for content providers and ISPs.

Future space-based communications infrastructures based on High Throughput Satellites and Software Defined Networking

Abstract: Terrestrial networks are currently embracing new paradigms as Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV); these technologies can provide great opportunities also to broadband satellite networks architectures, bringing flexibility, scalability, customization and cost reduction. Moreover, new user-tailored services could be provided. In this paper, the use of SDN and NFV in a broadband satellite access scenario will be analyzed and some selected applications will be examied to identify possible benefits provided by these paradigms.

5th generation mobile networks: A new opportunity for the convergence of mobile broadband and broadcast services

Abstract: This article analyzes the challenges and opportunities that the upcoming definition of future 5G mobile networks brings to the mobile broadband and broadcast industries to form a single converged network. It reviews the state-of-the-art in mobile and broadcast technologies and the current trends for convergence between both industries. This article describes the requirements and functionalities that the future 5G must address in order to make an efficient and flexible cellular-broadcasting convergence. Both industries would benefit from this convergence by exploiting synergies and enabling an optimum use of spectrum based on coordinated spectrum sharing.

The broadband digital divide and the benefits of mobile broadband for minorities

Abstract: This study sets out the facts regarding broadband deployment and usage in the US and the particular promise of mobile broadband for minorities. Fixed broadband is nearly ubiquitous and most people have access to four or more mobile broadband providers. Growth in fixed broadband usage is leveling off, while mobile broadband usage growth remains robust. Blacks and Hispanics generally have fewer fixed broadband options but more mobile broadband providers available. Gaps in broadband usage overall (fixed and mobile combined) for minorities persist and are quite large. Matching estimators show that lagging broadband adoption among minority groups is not fully accounted for by demographic and economic characteristics. Mobile broadband holds particular promise for minorities regarding healthcare and e-health, and these communities have relatively greater reliance on mobile forms of broadband. Two important findings are that 1) blacks are more likely to access the Internet using a mobile phone than whites (after controlling for demographic differences between the groups), and 2) there is no significant gap in mobile broadband usage between minorities and whites by either of the two measures of usage considered. Implications of the findings for policy toward spectrum allocation and wireless taxes are discussed.

On the $\alpha$ -Stable Distribution of Base Stations in Cellular Networks

Abstract: Cellular networks are now nearly universally deployed and are under ever-growing pressure to increase the volume of data deliverable to consumers. Understanding how base stations (BSs) are spatially deployed could prominently facilitate the performance analyses of cellular networks, as well as the design of efficient networking protocols. In this letter, inspired by the clustering reality of BSs and the intrinsic heavy-tailed characteristics of human activities, we aim to re-examine the statistical pattern of BSs in cellular networks, and find the most appropriate spatial density distribution of BSs. Interestingly, by taking advantage of large amount of realistic deployment information of BSs from on-operating cellular networks, we find that the widely adopted Poisson distribution severely diverges from the practical density distribution of BSs. Instead, heavy-tailed distributions could more precisely match the practical distribution. In particular, $\alpha$ -stable distribution, the distribution also found in traffic pattern of broadband networks and cellular networks, is most consistent with the practical one.

RADIATE: radio over fiber as an antenna extender for high-speed train communications

Abstract: With the explosive growth of Internet-based applications and services, people are relying on the Internet in their daily life. This drives a significant demand for provisioning broadband Internet services in high-speed trains. In this article, we propose a novel solution named RADIATE for high-speed train communications. RADIATE utilizes cellular networks as backhauls to avoid the expensive capital expenditure in provisioning broadband Internet services in high-speed trains. RADIATE, by applying radio over fiber, deploys on-roof antennas and optimally operates these antennas to address the drawbacks of utilizing cellar networks as backhauls. Thus, RADIATE provides a cost-effective and high-quality communications solution for provisioning broadband Internet services in high-speed trains.

The Past, Present, and Future of Copper Access

Abstract: Digital Subscriber Line technology has democratized broadband access, and over the past several decades, telecommunications providers have evolved from providing plain old telephone service (POTS) over a copper loop plant to providing broadband access and high-definition video over hybrid fiber-copper networks. This article focuses on three revolutionary copper technologies in different stages of development that will enable hybrid networks to continue to increase data rates over orders of magnitude for many years to come. The first of the three, vectoring, is a mature technology with massive ongoing rollout that provides end user speeds above 100 Mb/s across typical distances of 500m. The second, G.fast, is the first ultrabroadband technology offering 1 Gb/s speeds, across typical distances of 100m. It has recently gained approval in the standards bodies and is currently undergoing trials both in research labs and in the field by numerous telecom operators. Finally, we discuss Bell Labs' XG-FAST technology, now in proof of concept, which can deliver 10 Gb/s across a 30 meter copper drop cable. XG-FAST paves the way for a homes-passed fiber network, leveraging high speed copper to the premises to increase its homes-connected.

UAV-assisted broadband network for emergency and public safety communications

Abstract: Communication during emergency situations is crucial to saving lives. Rescue workers at an emergency scene need to be able to coordinate and communicate effectively. Despite the vast improvements in personal communication networks, public safety communication has been lacking. A recent bill from Congress and the FCC has provided the groundwork for the creation of a nationwide broadband public safety communication network. This advancement in technology will allow rescue workers to receive critical information updates in all forms of media (e.g., video, text and voice). A problem arises when communication tower is destroyed; this network will no longer function for that area. A solution must be created to temporarily cover the partially or completely destroyed networks or towers assigned area to restore their connectivity and to connect them to the global network. In this paper, we design an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) network that can be used to route broadband data similar to a communication tower for when the main network is unusable. Using global geolocation map, the optimal/sufficient number of UAVs can be sent out quickly to the geolocation of a destroyed tower and route traffic accordingly. UAVs also have the advantage of being airborne, allowing for better line of sight with ground users. Simulation results show that the proposed design has better performance in terms of channel capacity and throughput when signal strength is lower.

Service Class Resource Management for Green Wireless-Optical Broadband Access Networks (WOBAN)

Abstract: Exponential growth in the volume of wireless data, boosted by the growing popularity of mobile devices, such as smartphone and tablets, has forced the telecommunication industries to rethink the way networks are currently designed, and to focus on the development of high-capacity mobile broadband networks. In response to this challenge, researchers have been working toward the development of an integrated wireless optical broadband access network. Two major candidate technologies, which are currently known for their high capacity as well as quality of service (QoS) for multimedia traffic, are passive optical networks (PON), and fourth generation (4G) wireless networks. PON is a wired access technology, well known for its cost efficiency and high capacity; whereas 4G is a wireless broadband access technology, which has achieved broad market acceptance because of its ease of deployment, ability to offer mobility, and its cost efficiency. Integration of PON and 4G technologies in the form of wireless-optical broadband access networks, offers advantages, such as extension of networks in rural areas, support for mobile broadband services, and quick deployment of broadband networks. These two technologies however, have different design architectures for handling broadband services that require quality of service. For example, 4G networks use traffic classification for supporting different QoS demands, whereas the PON architecture has no such mechanism to differentiate between types of traffic. These two technologies also differ in their power saving mechanisms. In this paper, we propose a service class mapping for the integrated PON-4G network, which is based on the M/G/1 queuing model. We also propose a class-based power saving mechanism which significantly improves the sleep period for the integrated optical wireless unit, without compromising support for QoS. Results indicate that our proposed class-based power saving scheme reduces power consumption by up to 80 $\%$ , and maintains the QoS within the requirements of the service level agreement.

Long-term drivers of broadband traffic in next-generation networks

Abstract: This paper is concerned with long-term (20+ years) forecasting of broadband traffic in next-generation networks. Such long-term approach requires going beyond extrapolations of past traffic data while facing high uncertainty in predicting the future developments and facing the fact that, in 20 years, the current network technologies and architectures will be obsolete. Thus, "order of magnitude" upper bounds of upstream and downstream traffic are deemed to be good enough to facilitate such long-term forecasting. These bounds can be obtained by evaluating the limits of human sighting and assuming that these limits will be achieved by future services or, alternatively, by considering the contents transferred by bandwidth-demanding applications such as those using embedded interactive 3D video streaming. The traffic upper bounds are a good indication of the peak values and, subsequently, also of the future network capacity demands. Furthermore, the main drivers of traffic growth including multimedia as well as non-multimedia applications are identified. New disruptive applications and services are explored that can make good use of the large bandwidth provided by next-generation networks. The results can be used to identify monetization opportunities of future services and to map potential revenues for network operators.

Method and electronics for setting up a local area broadband network

Abstract: The invention provides a method ( 10 ) for setting up a local broadband network with the following features: electronic circuitry determines a geographic location ( 12 ) of the electronic circuitry; the electronic circuitry measures an actual condition ( 13 - 17 ) of the broadband network in the location ( 12 ); the electronic circuitry selects an external function ( 18 ) in the broadband network depending on the location ( 12 ) and the actual condition ( 13 - 17 ); the electronic circuitry signals at least the location ( 12 ) and the external function ( 18 ) to a central database ( 26 ) via a common communication backbone; and the electronic circuitry complies with a communication protocol of the broadband network dependent on the external function ( 18 ) The invention further provides corresponding electronic circuitry and components, a corresponding computer program, and a corresponding storage medium

Advances of Broadband Power Line Communication and its application

Abstract: Broadband Power Line Communication (BPLC) technology, offers a convenient, efficient and reliable medium for high frequency-data transfer for broadband access, by creating networks within existing infrastructure. As the powerline network is very noisy, complex and varying from place to place, it is very difficult to model the channel. For creating a new efficient power line communication model of the channel, it is necessary to know the characteristic, topology of the low voltage powerline. A review analysis has been given on advances, issues and applications of broadband power line communication in various fields. With this paper, we also offer a low voltage power line channel transfer function with small sets of parameters, by means of a simulation tool in the bandwidth 1–30 MHz The observations presented in the paper are important and useful for an efficient channel design of a BPLC system.

A measurement experimentation platform at the internet's edge

Abstract: Poor visibility into the network hampers progress in a number of important research areas, from network troubleshooting to Internet topology and performance mapping. This persistent, well-known problem has served as motivation for numerous proposals to build or extend existing Internet measurement platforms by recruiting larger, more diverse vantage points. Capturing the edge of the network, however, remains an elusive goal. We argue that at its root the problem is one of incentives. Today's measurement platforms build on the assumption that the goals of experimenters and those hosting the platform are the same. As much of the Internet growth occurs in residential broadband networks, this assumption no longer holds. We present a measurement experimentation platform that reaches the network edge by explicitly aligning the objectives of the experimenters with those of the users hosting the platform. Dasu—our current prototype—is designed to support both network measurement experimentation and broadband characterization. Dasu has been publicly available since July 2010 and has been installed by over 100 $\,$ 000 users with a heterogeneous set of connections spreading across 2431 autonomous systems (ASs) and 166 countries. We discuss some of the challenges we faced building and using a platform for the Internet's edge, describe its design and implementation, and illustrate the unique perspective its current deployment brings to Internet measurement.

Enhancing the BRAS through virtualization

Abstract: Broadband Remote Access Servers (BRASes) are crucial middleboxes in DSL access networks, providing the first IP point in the network for subscribers and enforcing operator policies. The number of functions provided by BRASes, combined with the key role they play in the network, means that these devices are expensive, difficult to change, and constitute a single point of failure. In order to overcome these limitations, we propose to virtualize the BRAS and to enhance it with a control interface that can be exploited by management systems in order to introduce live session migration and higher reliability. Our proof-of-concept implementation shows that our virtual software BRAS is able to handle thousands of sessions while forwarding and shaping traffic at rates of millions of packets per second on commodity hardware, and that the live session migration feature enables the implementation of high-reliability scenarios.

MOST: Mobile Broadband Network Optimization Using Planned Spatio-Temporal Events

Abstract: Continuous optimization of Mobile Broadband Networks (MBNs) is done to simultaneously optimize and balance some performance factors such as Quality of Service (QoS) and energy usage. Initial MBN optimization approaches used various heuristics, while more advanced approaches have investigated the MBN optimization potential using predictions of future node loads based on historical load data. However, using only historical load data for prediction often fails when events occur. This paper presents MOST (Mobile broadband network Optimization using planned Spatio-Temporal events) approach that additionally uses external spatio-temporal information about planned events, e.g., the time and place of big concerts or football matches, to improve the prediction quality, thus enabling more correct MBN optimization. A simulation using experimental data from a mobile broadband network in Denmark shows that MOST is able to improve the prediction quality very significantly, and thus enables significantly better MBN optimizations to be performed.

A new model of application response time for VoIP over WLAN and fixed WiMAX

Abstract: The Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) has observed the fastest growth in the world of communication. The WLAN is the most assuring of technologies among the wireless networks, which has facilitated high-rate voice services at low cost and good flexibility over IP-based networks. Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology is also a preliminary step to develop Fourth Generation networks (4G) technologies. WiMAX is a recent wireless broadband standard that has promised high bandwidth over long-range transmission. The standard specifies the air interface, including the Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical (PHY) layers, of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA). It has not only succeeded in the utilization of several of the latest telecommunication techniques in the form of unique practical standards, but also paved the way for the quantitative and qualitative developments of high-speed broadband access. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE 802.16) Standard introduces several advantages; one of them is support for Quality of Services (QoS) at the Media Access Control (MAC) level. However, the existing VoIP over WLAN and WiMAX architecture does not provide sufficient QoS in both networks. In this paper we provide an overview and develops a new distributed model to improve QoS performance for VoIP over WLAN and Fixed WiMAX network with respect to Application Response Time (ART). The model was simulated in the OPNET modeler (16.0) with Multiple Access Points (APs), Base Stations (BSs)as well as mobile devices, Subscribers Stations (SSs), and some server BSs that were selected based on Nearest Neighborhood Algorithm and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) techniques. The results obtained from this proposed model showed significant performance in network application response time.

Handover parameter optimization for self-organizing LTE networks

Abstract: Self-Organizing Network (SON) mechanism comprises of three components of self-configuration, self-optimization and self-healing which can contribute to optimize the performance of the next generation broadband network such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks. The aim of this study is to propose a self-organizing handover procedure based on the Self-Organizing Network (SON) concept for LTE network. The simulation of the proposed SON-based handover mechanism was conducted using the QualNet software. The two main handover parameters that have been modified are the Hysteresis (Hys) and Time-To-Trigger (TTT). The outcome of the simulation shows the network performance is better after optimizing the Hys and TTT of the handover parameters. The LTE network performance shows remarkable improvement in terms of network throughput, delay and jitter.

Broadband Network Evolution and Path Dependency

Abstract: If market power regulation is necessary from a network economic point of view due to the absence of active or potential competition, the principle of minimal regulation should be applied. Thus, par...

Improving user QoE for residential broadband: Adaptive traffic management at the network edge

Abstract: Recent increases in network traffic have led to severe congestion in broadband networks. We propose to mitigate this problem with a two-level edge-based solution that incentivizes users to moderate their bandwidth usage based on their actual needs. In the first level, home gateways are given QoE (quality of experience) credits that they can spend to receive more bandwidth at congested times; to ensure fairness, the credits are redistributed to other gateways after they are spent. We show that this scheme guarantees long-term fairness and maximizes users' total satisfaction at the equilibrium. In the second level, each gateway allocates bandwidth among its users and apps according to its own priorities. Gateways can thus customize their bandwidth allocation depending on individual preferences. We develop a prototype of this second-level allocation on commodity wireless routers. We then consider an example scenario and show by simulation and implementation results that our solution outperforms an equal bandwidth allocation, increasing users' overall utility and fairly allocating bandwidth across users.

Evaluating publish/subscribe approaches for use in tactical broadband networks

Abstract: The publish/subscribe messaging pattern is particularly useful in limited resource networks due to it offering asynchronous messaging. It also requires fewer messages to be sent over the network than what is the case for the request/response messaging pattern. NATO has identified the WS-Notification standard as the publish/subscribe pattern to use for Web services, but other standards, such as the Advanced Message Queuing Protocol (AMQP) and MQTT are gaining momentum as alternatives to WS-Notification. In this paper we investigate the performance of these three protocols in resource constrained networks in order to determine if using one or more of these is a viable alternative to resorting to proprietary or special purpose protocols that are designed for one specific networking scenario.

Optimization and design of HAPs broadband communication networks

Abstract: In this paper, the quality of service (QoS) metrics and user demand model are established in high altitude platforms (HAPs) broadband communication network. A methodology of mobile base station placement is proposed with QoS and user demand guarantee for the first time. Besides, the HAPs placement optimization framework is established by optimizing the design vector (DV) to maximize network capacity per cost (NCPC). In addition, the optimization model and improved artificial immune algorithm based on immune review (IAIAIR) are designed. Simulation results show that the proposed placement method can effectively solve the problem of mobile base station layout in HAPs broadband network.

Broadband Internet Access on board High Speed Trains, A Technological Survey

Abstract: Advances in information and communication technologies lead to the adoption of wireless communications in all sectors, including railway domain. Wireless communications for railway can be used for several applications, requiring safety, reliability, availability, high capacities, etc. Furthermore, wireless communications have been deeply integrated into people’s life and current public telecommunication services increased the needs for mobility services. Railway domain is more and more competitive and it becomes crucial for railway operators to make additional revenue by offering more comfortable and pleasant travels thanks to new on board services. Thus, broadband Internet access on board trains has become, in recent years, an essential and highly expected service in the railway domain. This paper aims at presenting the different technologies that can bring an Internet access on board High Speed Trains.

An analysis of community-led superfast broadband initiatives in the UK and the potential for resilience

Abstract: Despite interest from policymakers and the telecommunications sector to deliver superfast broadband to the whole of the UK, rural areas remain underserved, decreasing their ability to benefit from broadband-enabled services. Public intervention, primarily structured as national subsidies, is active across the UK to respond to this rural market failure. Complementing such practices are local-level strategies framed as community-led broadband initiatives. Their inclusion within wider superfast broadband installation strategies has not yet been examined. This doctoral research examines two of these initiatives, their structure and impact on the community to develop an understanding of their potential as replicable rural broadband delivery mechanisms. I analyse both the process of installing superfast broadband technology from community-led perspective and the subsequent engagement with superfast broadband through a qualitative longitudinal approach. A conceptual framework of 'social resilience' is developed as a contemporary analytical tool for examining these individual and community processes. The findings reveal an inherent complexity to rural community-led broadband provision. Community-led broadband reflects a 'localism' development approach, and this process has strengthened local rural identity. Following the adoption of superfast broadband, rural users experienced a growth in digital knowledge and individual resilience. However, the initiatives themselves are often discussed as 'separate from', or incompatible with, the telecommunications industry, as well as sitting outside the scope of current government interventions. In doing so, barriers to external networking and extra-local partnerships are built, limiting the opportunities for community-led broadband networks to become a substantive part of rural broadband delivery across the UK. Throughout the thesis, an understanding of these various tensions, impacting the success, use and replicability of rural community-led broadband, is developed and community-led broadband is shown to be another example of uneven rural development. I conclude by making recommendations for future digital policy interventions in the UK.

Large-Scale Broadband Measurement Use Cases

Abstract: Measuring broadband performance on a large scale is important for network diagnostics by providers and users, as well as for public policy. Understanding the various scenarios and users of measuring broadband performance is essential to development of the Large-scale Measurement of Broadband Performance (LMAP) framework, information model, and protocol. This document details two use cases that can assist in developing that framework. The details of the measurement metrics themselves are beyond the scope of this document.

Methods of Performance Evaluation of Broadband Wireless Networks Along the Long Transport Routes

Abstract: This paper presents the description of the method of performance evaluation and assessment of main characteristics of broadband wireless networks with linear topology, which is based on a model of stochastic multiphase queueing systems with correlated MAP input flows and a cross-traffic. The results of analytical calculations for the networks of small dimension are given. A simulation model for assessment of performance characteristics of large-scale wireless networks with linear topology is developed.