The (r)evolution of wireless network architectures and protocols

The (r)evolution of wireless network architectures and protocols

Ingrid MoermanIBBT - Ghent University

Wireless networks today

A myriad of available wireless network technologiesbuilding on proprietary or standardized radio technologies

Many non-interoperable solutionsdifferent architecturesdifferent protocolsassumption of homogeneous nodes: same protocol stack on all nodes

Tuned for a specific application

2

Outline

Wireless networks todayCellular networksWireless MANWireless LANWireless PAN (short range)

Use of wireless networksWireless sensor networksUbiquitous networksIntelligent Transport Systems

Wireless networks tomorrowInternet of thingsNo more IP, no more layers?Network virtualization...

3

Outline



Wireless networks tomorrowInternet of thingsNo more IP, no more layers?Network virtualization…

4

GSM network architecture

Cellular networks

BTS Abis

BTS

BSS

PSTN

CN

BSC MSC GMSC

HLR

VLR

EIR

AuC

GPRS network architecture

Cellular networks

BTS

BSC

Abis

BTS

BSS

MSC

SGSN GGSN

GMSC

HLR

VLR

CN

EIR

GnGi

PSTN

AuC

GR

UMTS network architecture (release 1999)

Cellular networks

BTS

BSC

Abis

BTS

BSS

MSC

Node B

Node B

RNC

Iub

Node BRNS

Node BSGSN GGSN

GMSC

HLR

VLR

IuPS

IuCS

Iu

CN

EIR

GnGi

PSTN

AuC

GR

GSM architecture

Cellular networks

BTS

BSC

Abis

BTS

BSS

MSC

Node B

Node B

RNC

Iub

Node BRNS

Node BSGSN GGSN

GMSC

HLR

VLR

IuPS

IuCS

Iu

CN

EIR

GnGi

PSTN

AuC

GR

Circuit Switched Domain (CSD)

UMTS network architecture (release 1999)

Cellular networks

BTS

BSC

Abis

BTS

BSS

MSC

Node B

Node B

RNC

Iub

Node BRNS

Node BSGSN GGSN

GMSC

HLR

VLR

IuPS

IuCS

Iu

CN

EIR

GnGi

PSTN

AuC

GR

Packet Switched Domain (PSD)

Cellular networks: UMTS releasesVersion Released Info

Release 98 1998 This and earlier releases specify pre-3G GSM networks

Release 99 2000 Q1 Specified the first UMTS 3G networksIncorporating a CDMA air interface

Release 4 2001 Q2 Originally called the Release 2000Added QoS architecture for PS domain

Release 5 2002 Q1 GSM/GPRS core network replaced by all-IP-coreIntroduced IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)Introduced HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Data Packet Access)

Release 6 2004 Integrated operation with Wireless LAN networksAdds HSUPA (High Speed Downlink Data Packet Access)Use of Multiple Input Multiple Output antennas (MIMO)MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services Mobile TV)Enhancements to IMS such as Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC)

Release 7 2007 Q2 (in progress)

Further radio technology improvements (HSPA+)Continued convergence with IP technology (IPv6, IP security, QoS, VoIP)Contactless front-end interface (Near Field Communication enabling operators to deliver contactless services like Mobile Payments)

Release 8 In progress (expected 2009)

LTE (Long Term Evolution) All-IP Network (SAE or System Architecture Evolution)refactoring of UMTS as an entirely IP based fourth-generation network

Cellular networks: UMTS releasesVersion Released Info

Release 98 1998 This and earlier releases specify pre-3G GSM networks

Release 99 2000 Q1 Specified the first UMTS 3G networksIncorporating a CDMA air interface

Release 4 2001 Q2 Originally called the Release 2000Added QoS architecture for PS domain

Release 5 2002 Q1 GSM/GPRS core network replaced by all-IP-coreIntroduced IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)Introduced HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Data Packet Access)

Release 6 2004 Integrated operation with Wireless LAN networksAdds HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Data Packet Access)Use of Multiple Input Multiple Output antennas (MIMO)MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services Mobile TV)Enhancements to IMS such as Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC)

Release 7 2007 Q4 Further radio technology improvements (HSPA+)Continued convergence with IP technology (IPv6, IP security, QoS, VoIP)Contactless front-end interface (Near Field Communication enabling operators to deliver contactless services like Mobile Payments)

Release 8 In progress (expected 2009)

LTE (Long Term Evolution) All-IP Network (SAE or System Architecture Evolution)refactoring of UMTS as an entirely IP based fourth-generation network

LTE

SAE (System Architecture Evolution) - EPC (Evolved Packet Core)

Cellullar networks

12

EPC

Cellular networks : evolution

1G 2G 3G2.5G

IS-95cdmaOne

IS-136TDMAD-AMPS

GSMPDC

GPRS

IMT-DSUTRA FDD / W-CDMA

EDGE

IMT-TCUTRA TDD / TD-CDMA

cdma2000 1X

1X EV-DV(3X)

AMPSNMT

IMT-SCIS-136HSUWC-136

IMT-TCTD-SCDMA

CT0/1

CT2IMT-FTDECT

CD

MA

TDM

AFD

MA

IMT-MCcdma2000 1X EV-DO

HSDPA

3.5G ... 4G

LTE

2.75G

Cellular networks : evolution

1G 2G 3G2.5G

IS-95cdmaOne

IS-136TDMAD-AMPS

GSMPDC

GPRS

IMT-DSUTRA FDD / W-CDMA

EDGE

IMT-TCUTRA TDD / TD-CDMA

cdma2000 1X

1X EV-DV(3X)

AMPSNMT

IMT-SCIS-136HSUWC-136

IMT-TCTD-SCDMA

CT0/1

CT2IMT-FTDECT

CD

MA

TDM

AFD

MA

IMT-MCcdma2000 1X EV-DO

HSDPA

3.5G ... 4G

LTE

2.75G

Cellular networks: UMTS users

TodayGSM/UMTS: 3545 M subscribersUMTS: 287 M subscribers

Cellular networks: UMTS deployments

264 operators have launched WCDMA in 115 countries (today)Over 93% of commercial WCDMA networks have launched HSPA

Wireless MAN: WiMAX or IEEE802.16Replacement of last mile cabling

1. roof mounted CPE2. indoor CPE3. WiMAX compatible hardware is built directly in the mobile device4. WiMAX is used as a replacement for a part of the backbone

Wireless MAN: WiMAX or IEEE802.16

(pre) WiMAX deployments407 trials and deployments in 133 countries

Wireless MAN: WiMAX or IEEE802.16WiMAX Forecast

133 M users by 2012

Infrastructure networkStation (STA)

terminal with access mechanisms to the wireless medium and radio contact to the access point

Access Point (AP)station integrated into the wireless LAN and the distribution system

Basic Service Set (BSS)AP and group of stations using the same radio frequency

Distribution System(wired) interconnection network to form one logical network (EES: Extended Service Set) based on several BSSs

Portalbridge to other (wired) networks

Distribution System

Portal

802.x LAN

AP

802.11 LAN

BSS2

802.11 LAN

BSS1

AP

STA1

STA2 STA3

ESS

Wireless LAN: WiFi or IEEE 802.11

mobile terminal

access point

fixedterminal

application

TCP

802.11 PHY

802.11 MAC

IP

802.3 MAC

802.3 PHY

application

TCP

802.3 PHY

802.3 MAC

IP

802.11 MAC

802.11 PHY

LLC

Infrastructure network (e.g. switched Ethernet)

LLC LLC

bridge


Protocol architecture


Ad Hoc networkDirect communication within a limited rangeStation (STA)

terminal with access mechanisms to the wireless medium

Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS)

group of stations using the same radio frequency

802.11 LAN

IBSS2

802.11 LAN

IBSS1

STA1

STA4

STA5

STA2

STA3

Wireless PAN: Bluetooth or IEEE 802.15.1

Piconet Scatternet

Controlled by masterOnly 8 active devices!

Bluetooth not suited for large (ad hoc) networks

Wireless PAN: Bluetooth or IEEE 802.15.1

Internal notebook card

Bluetooth headset

ZigBee network model

Wireless PAN: ZigBee or IEEE 802.15.4

Star Link

Mesh Link

ZigBee Coordinator (FFD)

ZigBee Router (FFD)

ZigBee End Device (RFD or FFD)

FFD: Full Function DeviceRFD: Reduced Function Device

ZigBee network formation

Wireless PAN: ZigBee or IEEE 802.15.4

Star Link

Mesh Link

ZigBee Coordinator (FFD)

ZigBee Router (FFD)

ZigBee End Device (RFD or FFD)

FFD: Full Function DeviceRFD: Reduced Function Device

Choosing channelBroadcasting Beacons

on request

Finding FFD (send beacon request)Associating with parentBroadcasting Beacons

On request

0x0000

0x0001

0x00020x0003

0x0004

0x0005 0x0006

0x00070x0008

0x0009

Outline




27

28

Wireless Sensor and Actuator Network (WSAN)

WSN

environment monitoringhomogeneous nodessensors onlyunidirectional communication to sinkunreliable network

WSAN

wireless building automationheterogeneous nodessensor & actuatorsmore complex communication patternsreliability & QoS support

29

Wireless Sensor and Actuator Network (WSAN)

WSN

environment monitoringhomogeneous nodessensors onlyunidirectional communication to sinkunreliable network

WSAN

wireless building automationheterogeneous nodessensor & actuatorsmore complex communication patternsreliability & QoS support

Actuator node

InternetInternet Sink

Task managernode

User

Sensor node

WSAN

Sensor node

WSN

Sink

Ubiquitous networks

Challengeshorizontal and vertical handoveruninterrupted servicesauto-configuration

UMTS2 Mbit/s

UMTS, GSM384 kbit/s

UMTS, GSM115 kbit/s

GSM/GPRS 53 kbit/sBluetooth 500 kbit/s

DSL/WLAN 3 Mbit/sGSM/EDGE 384 kbit/s,

DSL/ WLAN3 Mbit/s

ABC: Always Best Connected

LAN100 Mbit/s,WLAN54 Mbit/s

GSM 115 kbit/s,WLAN 54 Mbit/s

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

Satellite Broadcast Terrestrial Broadcast GPS

WiMAX 2G/3G WiMAX 2G/3G

WiFi

CALM M5 WAVE

RSE-to-RSEV2V

P2V

5.8 GHz DSRC

CALM IR

Efficient & safe transport through use of many technologies

Outline




32

Wireless networks tomorrow

ObservationWireless networks are heterogeneous!

wireless/wired technologiesdevice capabilities

interfaces, power supply, energy safe mode, memory, processing, mobility…

servicesdata rate, latency, reliability, continuous/intermittent/periodic…

Need for more flexible architecturessupporting diverse servicesincorporating heterogeneous devicesallowing heterogeneous accessautonomous adaptation

33

34

The 4A vision (ITU) = network ubiquity + connectivity to anythingAnyTIME, Any PLACE connectivity for Anyone for Anything

The Internet of things

Source: ITU Internet Reports 2005: The Internet of Things

For AnyoneAny TIME connection

On the move

Night

Daytime

Any PLACE connection

On th

e m

ove

Indo

ors (

away

from

the

PC)

Outdo

ors

At th

e PC

Any THING connection

Between PCsHuman to Human (H2H), not using a PC

Human to Thing (H2T), using generic equipmentThing to Thing (T2T)

35

Standards-setting and interoperability

IETF visionInternet of things = IP for Smart Objects (IPSO)Solution: IP as an open an flexible standard

IP = open (IETF is open standardization organization)IP = lightweight (only few Kbytes RAM/ROM required)IP = versatile (support of many diverse applications)IP = ubiquitous (any OS, easy IP access, unique addressing)IP = scalable (IPv6 expanded address space 6lowpan)IP = manageable (DNS, DHCP, SNMP, …)IP = stable (nearly 30 years existence well-established knowledge)IP = end-to-end (no need for complex protocol gateways)

Source: IP for Smart Objects – White paper #1, IPSO Alliance

Modular protocol architecture: no layers!

Protocol = Algorithm + Information exchanges

Protocol != buffer creation or header definition

Information driven architecture

Redefinition of the role of protocols:

Protocols only exchange information with the system

The system creates the data packets

Modular protocol architecture: no layers!

System-created packet headersno duplicate headers fieldscompatible with legacy systemsprotocols are independent of the underlying packet structure

Energy-efficientdifferent information exchanges are aggregated in the same packet

Smaller protocolsbuffers are shared, and are provided by the systemno code required for header manipulations

Heterogeneous environmentssystem components and protocols can dynamically be removed or addeddynamic run-time selection of the best routing/MAC protocol

Public WLAN

Ad Hoc Network

Satellite

Public WLAN

Ad Hoc Network

Satellite

Network virtualization

Network virtualization4G all-IP network = carrier that provides end-to-end connectivityOn top: multiple virtual networks that logically structure the network and its services into small secure communities

Ad hocFormed when needed according to user needs and contextSelf-organizing and self-maintainingDealing with distributed, mobile, heterogeneous and dynamic characteristics

VPAN (Virtual Private Ad Hoc Network)

UMTS/GSMUMTS/GSM

Phys

ical

net

wor

k

Network virtualization

Virtual Private Ad Hoc Network (VPAN)A secure and self-organizing virtual overlay network of distributed nodes deploying ad hoc network techniques and private addressingSecure: both in terms of networking and applications and services

VPAN

: log

ical

net

wor

k

VPAN data

Encryptedand/ortunneled VPAN data

Summary

A myriad of available wireless network technologies

Need for flexible network architectures coping with heterogeneity

Future =Evolution: IP-basedRevolution: no IP, no layersVirtualization

40

Documents

The (r)evolution of wireless network architectures and protocols