Showing papers on "Broadband networks published in 2017"

The Learning and Prediction of Application-Level Traffic Data in Cellular Networks

Abstract: Traffic learning and prediction is at the heart of the evaluation of the performance of telecommunications networks and attracts a lot of attention in wired broadband networks. Now, benefiting from the big data in cellular networks, it becomes possible to make the analyses one step further into the application level. In this paper, we first collect a significant amount of application-level traffic data from cellular network operators. Afterward, with the aid of the traffic “big data,” we make a comprehensive study over the modeling and prediction framework of cellular network traffic. Our results solidly demonstrate that there universally exist some traffic statistical modeling characteristics at a service or application granularity, including $\alpha$ -stable modeled property in the temporal domain and the sparsity in the spatial domain. But, different service types of applications possess distinct parameter settings. Furthermore, we propose a new traffic prediction framework to encompass and explore these aforementioned characteristics and then develop a dictionary learning-based alternating direction method to solve it. Finally, we examine the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed framework for different types of application-level traffic. Our simulation results prove that the proposed framework could offer a unified solution for application-level traffic learning and prediction and significantly contribute to solve the modeling and forecasting issues.

In-Flight Broadband Connectivity: Architectures and Business Models for High Capacity Air-to-Ground Communications

Abstract: In-Flight Broadband Connectivity (IFBC) is a significant open market for mobile network operators, considering that more than 3.3 billion passengers were served by airlines in 2015. On-board broadband services are provided via air-to-ground (A2G) connectivity through direct A2G communication (DA2GC) and satellite A2G communication (SA2GC). Available on-board connectivity systems have significant limitations: high latency in SA2GC and low capacity in DA2GC. The customer expectancy is multi-Mb/s connections in every seat, which leads to capacity requirements of Gb/s to the aircraft. Creation of high capacity IFBC requires a collaborative interaction between different industry partners. For this reason, we investigate A2G architectures in terms of economic and technical perspectives, and propose business models by identifying new roles and positioning them in the A2G business ecosystem. In addition, we provide an extensive summary of the state-of-the-art and future improvements for A2G communications.

Provisioning Internet Access Using FSO in High-Speed Rail Networks

Abstract: The growing deployment and advanced development of high-speed train (HST) systems, coupled with the reliance on and demand for constant Internet connectivity any time any where, have necessitated the imminent provisioning of broadband Internet services in HSTs. Train-to-ground communications mostly suffers from frequent handoffs due to the high mobility of the trains. To provision high-speed Internet services in HSTs, we propose a novel solution named Free-space OptiCs Utilization in high-Speed trains (FOCUS). Our solution takes advantage of the high optical bandwidth of free space optics (FSO) to provide high data rates. FOCUS aims to improve the trainto- ground communications system by deploying on-roof FSO transceivers. To minimize the number of handoff processes, the control unit inside the train forwards each request to go through the proper transceiver. The proposed mechanism decreases the packet loss ratio and increases network performance in high-speed train communications.

Using Active Queue Management to Assist IoT Application Flows in Home Broadband Networks

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) applications such as telehealth, smart appliances, and smart energy are becoming more common within the home. However, they must compete for bandwidth with traditional applications such as video streaming, video conferencing, and bulk file transfers. Such competition can be detrimental to the IoT applications when home gateways use traditional first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue management. Simply increasing bandwidth between the home gateway and the Internet Service Provider (ISP), even when possible, provides no guarantee of bandwidth for IoT applications since many traditional applications will consume as much bandwidth as is available. In this paper, we explore whether active queue management (AQM), now being implemented in home gateways, can provide protection for IoT flows. We investigate the effect of different AQM algorithms deployed at the home gateway in scenarios with multiple concurrent application flows. We find that deploying multiqueue FlowQueue Controlled Delay (FQ-CoDel) or the hybrid FlowQueue Proportional Integral Controller Enhanced (FQ-PIE) at the home gateway can provide excellent capacity sharing, flow isolation, and good protection in terms of throughput and queuing delays for IoT flows and other applications, which cannot be achieved with traditional FIFO or other single-queue AQMs such as Proportional Integral Controller Enhanced (PIE).

The effect of fibre broadband on student learning

Abstract: We estimate the impact of ultra-fast broadband on schools’ academic performance using a difference-in-difference study of a new fibre broadband network. We show that fibre broadband increases primary schools’ passing rates in standardised assessments by roughly one percentage point. Estimates are robust to alternative specifications, such as controlling for time-varying covariates. We find no evidence that gender, ethnic minorities or students enrolled in remote schools benefit disproportionately. However, we find some evidence of a larger benefit within schools that have a greater proportion of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds

Discrete Multi-Tone Digital Subscriber Loop Performance in the Face of Impulsive Noise

Abstract: As an important solution to “the last mile” access, digital subscriber loops (DSLs) are still maintained in a huge plant to support low-cost but high-quality broadband network access through telephone lines. The discrete multi-tone (DMT) transmissions constitute a baseband version of the ubiquitous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. While the DMT is ideally suited to deal with the frequency selective channel in DSL, the presence of bursty impulsive noise tends to severely degrade the transmission performance. In this paper, we analyze the statistics of impulsive noise and its effects on the received signals, with the aid of a hidden semi-Markov process. The closed-form bit error rate expression is derived for the DMT system for $Q$ -ary quadrature amplitude modulation under practical noise conditions and for measured dispersive DSL channels. Instead of relying on the simplified stationary and impulsive noise process, our noise model considers both the temporal and spectral characteristics based on the measurement results. The simulation results confirm the accuracy of the formulas derived and quantify the impact both of the impulsive noise and of the dispersive channel in DSL.

Heterogeneous Public Safety Network Architecture Based on RAN Slicing

Abstract: Efficient communications are of paramount importance to improve public safety (PS) operations allowing better coordination, higher situation awareness, lower response times, and higher efficiency during emergency. Consequently, the evolution of PS communication networks toward commercial broadband networks is widely well accepted. However, this evolution has to cope with several challenges, such as the provision of sufficient communication capacity, coverage, and resilience as well as deployment costs and efficient exploitation of radio resources. This has triggered the need of new architectural solutions. In this paper, we propose a heterogeneous network communication architecture where both infrastructures and spectrum are shared between PS and commercial operators thus reducing deployment costs and times, and addressing the main challenges of PS communications. The shared radio access network (RAN) is managed by means of network slicing and resources virtualization. The proposed architecture is based on a three-tier scheduler that allows to manage different network layers and different RAN slices. Numerical results derived by means computer simulations are provided in order to highlight the efficiency and flexibility of the proposed architecture in comparison with benchmark alternatives.

Adaptive Multiview Video Delivery Using Hybrid Networking

Abstract: Multiview entertainment is the next step in 3D immersive media networking owing to its improved depth perception and free-viewpoint viewing capability whereby users can observe the scene from the desired viewpoint. This paper outlines a delivery system for multiview plus depth video, combining the broadcast and broadband networks. The digital video broadcast (DVB) network is used along with adaptive peer-to-peer (P2P) distribution over the Internet to deliver high-volume multimedia to users. The DVB network has been used to deliver part of the 3D service, owing to its robustness and wide availability, as a mechanism to guarantee the minimum 3D quality of experience. The developed system brings key contributions in the P2P transport for real-time multimedia delivery, including a user preference-aware adaptation mechanism, adaptive redundant chunk scheduling for robustness, incentives to decrease the load on the content server for improved system scalability, and resynchronization capability with the DVB transmission. The introduced features are compared with those of some other well-known P2P solutions to highlight the quantitative gains. A subjective testing campaign has also been organized on the developed hybrid platform, which proves the effectiveness of user-aware adaptation over network-based adaptation on a mean opinion score scale.

System and method for policy-based multipath wan transports for improved quality of service over broadband networks

Abstract: An approach is provided whereby multiple broadband connections operate together to provide a highly available secure private networking solution. Data packets of a communications flow are received by a networking device, for transmission to a remote destination node, over a wide area data communications network. A service classification is determined for the data flow. A sequence number is generated for each data packet, where the sequence numbers indicate an order by which the data packets are received. An indication of the service classification and the sequence number is added to each data packet. For each data packet, a transport policy is determined that indicates one or more VPN tunnels through which the data packet is to be transmitted, where the determination of the VPN tunnels is based on the service classification, and wherein each VPN tunnel is carried over a respective WAN transport of the wide area data network.

The Tragedy of the Last Mile: Economic Solutions to Congestion in Broadband Networks

Abstract: We flexibly estimate demand for residential broadband accounting for congestion externalities that arise among consumers due to limited network capacity, as well as dynamics arising from nonlinear pricing. Our high frequency data permits insight into temporal patterns in usage across the day that are impacted by network congestion, and how usage responds to efforts to mitigate congestion. To estimate demand, we build a dynamic model of consumer choice and rely on variation in the timing of network upgrades and nonlinear pricing to identify the model. Using the model estimates, we calculate the welfare changes associated with different economic and technological solutions for reducing congestion, including peak-use pricing, throttling connectivity speeds, and local-cache technologies.

Wireless Broadband Tools and Their Evolution Towards 5G Networks

Abstract: Telecom companies in the different generations resorted to different tools to conquer connectivity issues like coverage, throughput and quality of service. The success is driving new services of diversified requirements and more traffic which dictates a continuous increase in data rates and improved performance. This work reviews the different technology tools used to meet rates and traffic requirements of the past and the present with a look into their role in future networks. The coming fifth generation (5G), in particular, is confronted by a number of antonym challenges of capacity, spectrum, energy, connectivity, performance, complexity, and cost. Suggested tools proposed to meet these challenges and the way they act to do so are reviewed and compared to current and past solutions. The tools discussed are the use of millimetric waves, massive multiple input multiple output antenna systems, indoor–outdoor separation, ultra-dense cooperative networks, and the increased reliance on users’ terminals. The major constructional differences and tools differences between current and future 5G are finally emphasized.

Super speed satellite system (S4)

Abstract: System, method and application integrates secure, seamless and global telecommunications satellite system network with certain radiocommunications services providing two physically separate and electronically discrete wireless radio frequency (RF) broadband networks delivering terabit/sec data transfer rates per each satellite and combines redundant terrestrial fiber private networks to address atmospheric attenuation and system failures. The super speed satellite system (S4) with separate discreet network connectivity for both performance data and Internet signals resides on virtual cloud platform to support multiple mobile connectivity applications to access, monitor, track and relay RF multimedia signal transmissions in two modes: download or streaming enabling real time virtual “black box” signal transmissions of approximately 9.5 terabits/sec per satellite to/from any latitude or longitude between aircraft, and authorized S4 ground network operating centers (NOC). S4 telecommunication system includes phased array and synthetic aperture technologies to plot top-down virtual representation of objects moving through pre-defined airspace.

Unlocking the potential of unoccupied spectrum in developing countries: Southern African Development Community – case study

Abstract: The lack of adequate telecommunications infrastructure in developing regions makes wireless systems the most feasible solution for providing Internet connectivity. With the global migration of television (TV) systems from analogue to digital, the TV spectrum is expected to be shared between broadcasting and broadband services. However, the absence of suitable regulatory policies for TV band sharing and low average revenue per user experienced by wireless network operators makes it difficult to deploy broadband networks in developing regions, especially in rural areas. This article presents a co-evolution analysis of three key domains of change (policy, technology and business) in providing broadband connectivity focusing on the Southern African Development Community region. Furthermore, the article proposes public–private partnership and public–private–people partnership models for deploying wireless broadband networks in developing regions. This article is useful to various stakeholders, includin...

Broadband optical wireless communications for the teleoperation of mining equipment

Abstract: The current level of technological advancement of our civilization serving more than seven billion human population requires new sources of biotic and abiotic natural resources. The depletion and scarcity of high-grade mineral deposits in dry land are forcing the Natural Resources industry to look for alternate sources in underwater environments and outer space, requiring the creation of reliable broadband omnidirectional wireless communication systems that allows the teleoperation of exploration and production equipment. Within these objectives, Optical Wireless Communications (OWC) are starting to be used as an alternative or complement to standard radio systems, due to important advantages that optical wavelengths have to transmit data: potential for Terabit/s bit rates, broadband operation in underwater environments, energy efficiency and better protection against interference and eavesdropping. This research focus in two crucial design aspects required to implement broadband OWC systems for the teleoperation of mining equipment: high bandwidth wide beam photon emission and low noise omnidirectional Free-Space Optical (FSO) receivers. Novel OWC omnidirectional receivers using guided wavelength-shifting photon concentration are experimented in over 100 meters range vehicle teleoperation.

Characterizing and Improving the Reliability of Broadband Internet Access

Abstract: In this paper, we empirically demonstrate the growing importance of reliability by measuring its effect on user behavior. We present an approach for broadband reliability characterization using data collected by many emerging national initiatives to study broadband and apply it to the data gathered by the Federal Communications Commission's Measuring Broadband America project. Motivated by our findings, we present the design, implementation, and evaluation of a practical approach for improving the reliability of broadband Internet access with multihoming.

On robust FSO network dimensioning

Abstract: The presented work is motivated by Free Space Optics (FSO) communications. FSO is a well established wireless optical transmission technology considered as an alternative to radio communications for example in metropolitan wireless mesh networks. An FSO link is established by means of a laser beam between the transmitter and the receiver placed in the line of sight. A major disadvantage of FSO links (with respect to fiber links) is their sensitivity to weather conditions such as fog, rain and snow, causing substantial loss of the optical transmission power over the channel due mostly to absorption and scattering. Although the FSO technology allows for a fast and low-cost deployment of broadband networks, its operation will be affected by vulnerability of the link transmissions to weather conditions that can be manifested by substantial losses in links' transmission capacity with respect to the nominal capacity. Therefore, proper dimensioning of an FSO network should take such losses into account so that the level of carried traffic is satisfactory under all observed weather conditions. In the paper we introduce and study an optimization problem for such enhanced dimensioning using the robust optimization approach.

The involvement of utilities in the development of broadband infrastructure: A comparison of EU case studies

Abstract: Utility providers, such as energy companies and railway operators, have been long emphasised as driving competition and facilitating investment in broadband markets. Nevertheless, their involvement and contribution to broadband development has varied significantly over time. In the late 1990s, both local and national utilities engaged in the provision of broadband networks, but only few of them managed to establish themselves as major broadband providers. More recently, new projects involving national utilities have been announced in several EU countries, opening new scenarios for utilities’ contribution to Next Generation Access (NGA) development. This paper aims to explore and identify the factors affecting the entry and the success of utilities in the European broadband market. Four case studies from four EU countries (Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK) are investigated and compared, to highlight similarities and differences under the EU regulatory framework. This qualitative analysis takes into account the interaction of market, technology and policy factors, focusing on the impact of policy and regulatory measures. As a result, this paper provides fruitful insights into the relevance and effectiveness of public interventions in broadband markets. Public support and public ownership are identified as main drivers for the involvement of utilities in EU broadband markets, with regulatory measures and economies of scope exerting a limited and decreasing influence.

System and Method for Implementing Combined Broadband and Wireless Self-Organizing Network (SON)

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services. In some embodiments, a computing system might receive, from one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors, first operational states of fixed broadband network nodes and second operational states of wireless network nodes, respectively. The computing system might analyze the received first and second operational states, might determine an optimal network pathway and/or an optimal network backhaul pathway, and might establish the optimal network pathway and/or the optimal network backhaul pathway, through a determined combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, thereby implementing the combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services.

Quality of service parameter measurements data analysis in the scope of net neutrality

Abstract: A lot of new applications and services come into use thanks to widely available broadband access and high quality of service parameter values for broadband networks As broadband access technologies develop and competition between different services becomes higher the need for addition regulation, for different services to coexist on equal terms, becomes necessary As a result, net neutrality principles were introduced, which aim is to allow all services to ensure that there is no traffic discrimination on the internet In the European Union European Commission developed regulation for net neutrality, providing basic net neutrality principles to be respected and implemented in all European countries Outside Europe net neutrality question is also actual and is actively discussed and measures are taken to ensure that neutrality principles are implemented Still many question regarding new regulation in net neutrality stay open One of them is quality of service in scope of net neutrality New regulation defines specific internet access services parameters of speeds to be measured and analysed for fixed and mobile networks Those parameters include minimum, maximum, normally available and advertised speed for fixed broadband networks, and estimated maximum and advertised speed for mobile broadband networks Regulation provides examples, but does not define the exact measurement and result analysis options most suitable for different measurement scenarios in fixed or mobile network As one of the corresponding projects — mapping of broadband service parameters when measurement results are visualised on map, is very actual, mapping options should also be considered, and to ensure that mapping for all countries measured parameters is united, and measurements are made and proceeded in the same manner in all countries So, the way the network speed parameters are analysed and proceeded are very important also in the mapping context Different scenarios of network parameter measurement result distribution are possible As relevant regulations define specific parameters that should be measured, it is necessary to understand, and then implement very accurate and most suitable data analysis, taking into account different data distribution scenarios, to determine correct result The main objective of this investigation is to determine analysis options and to choose optimal measurement samples of the quality of service parameters for the further analysis in the context of net neutrality principles providing united measurement and measurement result analysis methodology

On the performance of high order QAM signals for analog and digital radio over fiber systems

Abstract: Radio over Fiber (RoF) system is a unified broadband network that supports both the optical and wireless technologies. Compared to RoF analog optical link, the digital RoF system shows number of advantages and thus, extensively studied in several research works. To improve the data rate for next generation optical-wireless access network, the use of high order quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals for digital RoF is necessary and also recommended by IEEE 802.11ac standard. In this paper, the performance of both analog and digital RoF system is measured in the presence of high order QAM signals. The fiber transmission distance is determined with respect to resolution bits of analog-to-digital converter (ADC), error vector magnitude (EVM) limit and received optical power. The result shows that the digital RoF system can support long fiber distance over 30 Km and 20 Km for 64-QAM and 256-QAM signals within the required EVM limit and acceptable optical received power.

ARPIM: IP Address Resource Pooling and Intelligent Management System for Broadband IP Networks

Abstract: IP address resources work as basic elements for providing broadband network services. However, the increase in number, diversity and complexity of modern network devices and services creates unprecedented challenges for current manual IP address management. Manually maintaining IP address resources could always be sub-optimal for IP resource utilization. Besides, it requires heavy human efforts from network operators. To achieve high utilization and flexible scheduling of IP network address resources, this article introduces APRIM, an innovative SDNbased IP address pooling and intelligent management system, in which we design a centralized address management system to realize dynamic allocation, reclaim, and reallocation of address blocks for the current BRAS/vBRAS deployment. We developed a prototype system and evaluated the system based on real-world networks and users in two provinces from China Telecom. Experimental results demonstrate that our system can largely improve the address utilization efficiently and reduce the network resource maintenance workload.

Impact of Very High-Speed Broadband on Local Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence

Abstract: I estimate the impact of very high-speed broadband networks on some measures of local economic growth in France. I use panel data estimations with time- and municipal-fixed effects. I show that municipalities with a very high-speed broadband network tend to be more attractive for companies. I find a positive impact on the number of companies of all non-farm market sectors operating locally, along with a positive impact on company creation. In addition, municipalities with a very high-speed broadband network provide a more favorable environment for entrepreneurship, as it has a positive effect on the creation of sole proprietorships. The estimation results also show a positive impact on unemployment reduction.

Photonics-assisted wireless link based on mm-wave reconfigurable antennas

Abstract: The authors report a novel concept for photonics-assisted and broadband optical-wireless indoor networks based on optically-controlled reconfigurable antenna arrays (OCRAAs) and photonic down conversion (PDC) techniques, operating in the 28 and 38 GHz frequency bands. The antenna bandwidth is optically reconfigured by using photoconductive switches. In this way, the optical backhaul can either be used for high data rate transmission and remotely controlling the antenna operation. Experimental results on 40 Mbaud with complex modulation formats up to 64-QAM wireless transmission supported by PDC are successfully reported under 78 dB link budget requirement. Two OCRAAs have been simultaneously tested in an indoor environment at 1.25 Gb/s wireless data signal transmission. The proposed antenna design significantly increases the degrees of freedom, opening new possibilities in the development of antennas for access networks in the mm-wave frequency range.