Publications

A Demonstration of Evolved User Equipment for Collaborative Wireless Backhauling in Next Generation Cellular Networks

Authors: Apostolos Apostolaras, Navid Nikaein, Raymond Knopp, Antonio M. Cipriano, Thanasis Korakis, Iordanis Koutsopoulos and Leandros Tassiulas

Conference:  IEEE International Conference on Sensing, Communication and Networking (SECON) 2015, 22-25 June, Seattle, USA.

Abstract: In this work, we demonstrate and validate a novel architecture for next generation cellular networks that enables collaborative forwarding at Layer 2 among adjacent eNBs with the aid of enhanced user equipment (UE) devices, that act voluntarily as packet forwarders. We introduce an evolved-UE (eUE) which is capable of operating simultaneously over multiples eNBs in order to enable reliable multi-hop operation through relaying and to achieve low-latency communication through efficient L2/MAC forwarding. For the demonstration and the evaluation of this architecture, we used the OpenAirInterface emulation platform to implement it, and also to evaluate its performance. The obtained results show that, the proposed architecture achieves significant reduction in latency (up to 16.94%)  and improvement on packet loss rate (up to  59.25%), as the number of the employed eUEs increases with increasing BLER up to 20%. Moreover, the proposed architecture enables eUEs to increase the aggregated data rate in downlink by exploiting  data connection to multiple eNBs.

Download paper: [SECON15][DEMO-Evolved UEs].pdf

Evolved User Equipment for Collaborative Wireless Backhauling in Next Generation Cellular Networks

Authors: Apostolos Apostolaras, Navid Nikaein, Raymond Knopp, Antonio M. Cipriano, Thanasis Korakis, Iordanis Koutsopoulos and Leandros Tassiulas

Conference:  IEEE International Conference on Sensing, Communication and Networking (SECON) 2015, 22-25 June, Seattle, USA.

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a novel architecture for next generation cellular networks that enables collaborative forwarding at Layer 2 among adjacent eNBs with the aid of enhanced user equipment (UE) devices, that act voluntarily as packet forwarders. Therefore, legacy UEs are leveraged as active network elements being capable of operating simultaneously over multiple base stations (eNBs). To this end, we introduce an evolved-UE (eUE) in order to enable reliable multi-hop operation through relaying and to achieve low-latency communication through efficient L2/MAC forwarding. Through extensive experimentation with OpenAirInterface emulation platform, we evaluated the performance and also validated the feasibility of the proposed architecture. Our results show that, in certain use cases corresponding to public safety and moving/small cell scenarios, the proposed architecture achieves significant reduction in latency (up to 16.94%) and improvement on packet loss rate (up to  59.25%), as the number of the employed eUEs increases with increasing BLER up to 20%. Moreover, the proposed architecture enables eUEs to increase the aggregated data rate in downlink by exploiting  data connection to multiple eNBs at the expense of extra power consumption, which calls for the appropriate incentives to enable such a cooperation.

Download paper: [SECON15][Evolved UEs].pdf

Testbed Innovations for Experimenting with Wired and Wireless Software Defined Networks

Authors: Kostas Choumas, Nikos Makris, Thanasis Korakis, Leandros Tasssiulas and Max Ott

Conference:  IEEE International workshop on Computer and Networking Experimental using Testbeds, Columbus, Ohio, USA, 29 June - 2 July 2015.

Abstract: Widely available and remotely accessible testbeds have been used for a direct comparison of innovative protocols and ideas with existing technologies. Therefore, multiple testbeds have been established, aiming at providing experimentation services with both wireless and wired networks. In this context, several frameworks have been developed that enable easy experimentation with the heterogeneous resources that the testbeds provide. However, most of these testbeds aim only in wireless/wired networking experimentation, resulting in unsimilar testbed control and experimentation tools. Several attempts have been made towards bridging this gap in order to allow experimentation with heterogeneous wired and wireless resources. In this article, we present our contributions in extending the state-of-the-art control and management framework for wireless testbeds with support for Software Defined Networking resources. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate two use cases that take advantage of our extensions using novel architectures and present our findings.

Download paper: Testbed Innovations for Experimenting with Wired and Wireless Software Defined Networks

 

Enabling Open Access to LTE network components; the NITOS testbed paradigm

Authors: Nikos Makris, Christos Zarafetas, Spyros Kechagias, Thanasis Korakis, Ivan Seskar and Leandros Tasssiulas

Conference:  IEEE International workshop on Software Defined 5G Networks, London, 17 April 2015.

Abstract: The lessons already learned from the existing protocols operation are taken into deep consideration during the standardization activities of the potential technologies opted for the future 5th Generation mobile networks. Prior research on wireless technologies in general has clearly shown the need for open programmable experimental facilities which can be used for the implementation and evaluation of novel algorithms and ideas under real world settings, even directly comparable to existing technologies and methodologies. Nevertheless, provisioning of such testbed platforms mandates the respective tools which will enable access to the testbed resources and will expose the maximum possible flexibility in configuring them. In this work, we present our efforts in building such a facility, along with the tools and services that cope with such requirements. The facility upon which we build is the long-established NITOS wireless testbed, which is offering commercial as well as open source LTE components in a 24/7 basis.

Download paper: Enabling Open Access to LTE network components; the NITOS testbed paradigm

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