An SDN-based Network Architecture for Extremely Dense ......An SDN-based Network Architecture for Extremely Dense Wireless Networks H. Ali-Ahmad, C. Cicconetti, A. de la Oliva, V.

An SDN-based Network Architecture for Extremely Dense Wireless Networks

H. Ali-Ahmad, C. Cicconetti, A. de la Oliva, V. Mancuso, M. R. Sama, P. Seite, S. Shanmugalingam

SDN4FNS – Trento, Nov 11, 2013 Follow us at @FP7CROWD 2

The good ol’ days

MSC

BSC (2G) RNC (3G)

BSC (2G) RNC (3G)

Works very well… …until the archenemy arrives


Whoops

Archenemy


3.5G

Temporary solution: Push intelligence to network edges (= RAN)


But the Big Problem is ahead

Traffic

Revenues

Data era Voice era

Telecom operator


Can we “just” increase tx rate?

• Today’s radio access technology is (largely!) overprovisioned:

– IEEE 802.11n: easily 100 Mb/s, can be 300 Mb/s

– HSPA+: up to 84 Mb/s

– LTE: up to 300 Mb/s

– Let’s not even mention LTE-A!

• Answer is: NO. WAY.


Only way: densification

From macro-cell only



From macro-cell only to pico-cells



From macro-cell only to pico-cells to small-cells


Densification’s issues

Very high density + heterogeneity =

1. Interference in the radio access network

2. Poor efficiency in the backhaul

3. High signalling for traffic management


CROWD

• Connectivity management for energy optimised wireless dense networks

– From Jan/13 to Jun/15

– Value: 4,5 M€

– Effort: 443 PM


High-level view


Example: LTE

LTE does not cope well with extreme density


Example: LTE

That’s better


Issues solved!

Very high density + heterogeneity =

1. Interference in the radio access network – Fast control with local visibility

2. Poor efficiency in the backhaul – Multi-RAT traffic management with regional

visibility

3. High signalling for traffic management – Optimisation of local handover. Decoupling of

data vs. control paths paves way to aggregation


Tangible output


CROWD controller

DB

North-bound (REST) API

Aggregator Virtualizator

Translator


Validation

Please follow us at: http://www.ict-crowd.eu/ website @FP7CROWD Twitter channel

Backup


Goal

To enable sustainable deployment of very dense and heterogeneous wireless networks

sustainable = cost effective + energy efficient

very dense = 1000x compared to current density (in users/sqm vs. users/BS)

heterogeneous = + diverse range (macro vs. pico vs. femto)

+ diverse technologies (LTE vs. WiFi)

+ diverse deployments (planned vs. unplanned)

+ diverse backhaul types (optical vs. wireless)


Roadmap

End of 2013

• Architecture final

• Preliminary solutions

• Numerical / simulation analysis

End of 2014

• First public release of CROWD controllers

• Final solutions validated with stand-alone testbeds

• Initial results from integrated testbed

June 2015

• Final demonstrator ready

• Full results available


Expected impact

• Raise awareness about technical challenges with extremely dense and heterogeneous wireless network – Workshops, conference sessions, special issues

• Propose architecture / solutions to the relevant venues – Standardisation committees, industry alliances,

stakeholder groups, demonstrations at public events

• Contribute the CROWD controller to the SDN/NFV community – Release of the source code under GPL, integration with

well-known platforms, tutorials and webinars

An SDN-based Network Architecture for Extremely Dense ......An SDN-based Network Architecture for Extremely Dense Wireless Networks H. Ali-Ahmad, C. Cicconetti, A. de la Oliva, V.

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