Interoperability of Wireless Networks based on Layer Modification and LTE with 4G

Dilshad Mahjabeen
EEE, Stamford University, Bangladesh

A.H.M. Sayem
EEE, Stamford University, Bangladesh

Anis Ahmed
APECE, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh dil_shadman @yahoo.com
Abstract Future generation of wireless communication systems are envisioned to offer higher data rates, higher mobility support, transparent and seamless communication. These requirements open potentials for the operators to increase their service portfolio and for the users to experience context-rich and personalized services. Consequently the interoperability between different wireless network platforms emerges as a crucial necessity. Here focus is given to the significance of the network interoperability aspect based on layered approach and its role in the development towards 4G.This paper gives an overview of the major and differentiating features of 4G from other generations. Attention is also paid to the interoperability provided by LTE. Keywords- 4G ; LTE ; interoperability ; reconfigirability; Cooperativeness;Cross layer

Shahida Rafique
APECE, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

communications. Section II describes the major and differentiating characteristics of 4G and the motivation for 4G other than 3G. Section III focuses how 4G based on layered modification provide interoperability. Section IV describes interoperability provided by long-term evolution (LTE). Section V describes about the role of cross layer at interoperable issue by 4G. II. JOURNEY TOWARDS 4G FROM 3G

I.

INTRODUCTION

To meet up the increasing demands of subdscribers different generations of wireless communication from 1G to 4G are introduced. 1G was completely analog and used only for voice transmission where 2G networks were for voice services and slow data transmission. The cellular services combined with GPRS became 2.5G for WAP access, MMS and for Internet communication services[1]. Despite of these facilities 2G lacks single worldwide radio band standard as well as inefficient use of spectrum resources for bursty data. 3G networks offer users a wider range of more advanced services with greater network capacity, improved spectral efficiency, greater degree of security than predecessors. This generation (3G) allows simultaneous use of speech and data services and higher data rates(upto 2 Mbps)[2]. However 3G does not provide mobility and service portability since it is based on primarily a wide-area concept. For this facility hybrid network (wireless LAN concept and cell or basestation wide area network design) is required. We need all digital packet networks that utilize IP in its fullest form with converged voice and data capability. And this great opportunity will be fulfilled by 4G wireless communications. In this paper we mainly deals with interoperability- the most important and special characteristic of 4G wireless

Different generations have come into light due to the limitations of previous generations. Their characteristics vary depending on some demanding features. Some of the differentiating characteristics are given in Table 1. 3G have their own gateway to interpret IP from the backbone network. They also have their own protocol and interfaces for communication within themselves. To make this problem end, the only solution is 4G networks. Moreover, 3G is lacking from the followings: limitation of spectrum allocation, gradually increasing bandwidth and high data rate for multimedia service, difficulty to roam across distinct service environment, lack of end environment, and lack of end to end seamless transmission mechanism [3]. To face these challenges, the new level of mechanism, 4G communications is introduced. The evolving 4G wireless is a common umbrella that covers and integrates all the requirements like access technology; ubiquitous interworking and interoperability solution.4G is an all IP packet switched network. This system is expected to provide a comprehensive and secure IP based solution with facilities like voice, data and streamed multimedia. The key characteristics of 4G are global mobility, service portability, scalability and seamless handoff. It will be very friendly to comprehensive like "anytime, anywhere, anyhow and always-on " basis and at much higher data rates ( 100 Mbps) compared to previous generations . Another special characteristic of 4G is the interoperability with existing wireless standards [4]. This generation provides integration across different network topologies i.e. hybrid network

978-1-4244-3709-2/10/$25.00 2010 IEEE

architecture that integrates wireless wide area networks wireless. TABLE I. COMPARISON OF DIFEERENT GENERATIONS

enhanced personalization and enriched services [5]. This will be very helpful for both the network providers and the users perspective. The reconfigurable interoperability will provide selection between alternative wireless access networks. The selection could be based on several reconfigurable interoperability issues. B. Co-operativeness 3G specify the PHY and MAC of the radio link. This alone is not adequate to build an interoperable broadband wireless network. Interoperable networks involve the following issues: end-to-end service such as IPconnectivity, session management, security, QoS, mobility, connectivity issues, self organization, authentication, authorization, and accounting. Cooperativeness comes to ensure these issues. This means connectivity between all the entities of a network in a consistent manner across all access technologies for any service. In 4G, a cooperative network (CoNet) consists of three distinct layers such as application, connectivity and access that form logically separate subsystems. Each of the layers can be further divided into different sub layers as shown in the Fig. 1. The layers should have well defined interfaces and be functionally independent of each other. This approach is required to ensure easy adaptation of heterogeneous access technologies, related technology changes, and flexible support for rapid service innovation. Actually the connectivity layer plays an important role for cooperation across various realizations of networks, which in turn ensures the interoperability. This layer will be independent of the various transport technologies used to link the nodes of the network together. Finally, the user will enjoy seamless roaming across different access technologies and administrative domains without any manual user intervention [6]. One of the 4Gs major goals is integration, which offers seamless interoperability of different types of wireless networks with the wire line backbone. Some of the available attempted heterogeneous interoperable integrated architecture are: a loosely-coupled, Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6)based GPRS/WLAN/LAN heterogeneous network, implementation of IPv6-based mobility-enabled network architecture with authentication, authorization, accounting and charging (AAAC) services and support for quality of service (QoS) [7]. C. Access Network From the point of view of access network, 3G access network uses WCDMA, cdma 2000. But these are complicated and require more protocol for system structure coverage. On the other hand, 4G access network uses the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDMA), 3RTT and MIMO antennas. Also hybrid multiple access technique is used for high speed mobile or nomadic user, data or voice traffic, call centre or boundary conditions [8]. But the above mentioned access techniques currently do not interoperate. LAS CDMA (Large area synchronized

Properties Network Architecture Switching

2G LAN

3G Wide area cellbased

4G Hybrid

Packet switched FDMA, TDMA, CDMA Not compitable to 3G 25 MHz Optimized antenna design Convolutional coding No IP Connection

Circuit Packet
WCDMA, CDMA2000, IWC-136 Compitable to 2G, 2G+ and blutooth 5-20 MHz Optimized antenna design, multi-band adapters Convolutional rate 1/2, 1/3 A number of air link protocols, including IP 5.0

All digital with packetized voice

MC-CDMA, OFDMA Compatible to 3G

Radio Access

Compatible

Bandwidth Component design

100 Mhz Smarter Antennas, software multiband and wideband radios Concatenated coding scheme All IP (IP6.0)

FEC tech IP

III. INTEROPERABILITY Due to rapid changes in users expectation and demand. There is every chance of emergency crisis and/or disasters at the peak and crucial period. Thus interoperability can offer network providers with a possibility to switch between alternative wireless access networks. This feature provides capability to automatically roam onto a visited network and have access and share appropriate information or services as authorized. The basic theme of interoperability will yield the necessity of (user transparent) reconfigurability and cooperativeness in various communication systems tunneling towards the 4G journeys. A. Reconfigurability: The reconfigurable interoperability can be done at the network level, the user level or both. At the network level, reconfigurable interoperability will offer network providers with a possibility to choose between alternative wireless access networks at minimal cost. At the user level, the interoperability of the heterogeneous 4G systems will provide more efficient end-to-end connectivity and service delivery in heterogeneous environments, easier global roaming and dynamic adaptation to regional contexts,

CDMA) access technique solves this problem.LAS CDMA will be compatible with all current and future standards
User Plane Control Plane Management Plane

Application
Layer

Service Application Sub Layer

Service Support Sub Layer

their home network. LTE provides interoperability between different network by seamless and lose less handover. As for example: 700 MHz LTE networks ensure the internetworking connectivity. By virtue of interoperability LTE exploits inter-technology mobility to support a verity of access technologies including 3GPP legacy technologies as well as EVDO, WiFi and WiMAX. Inter-technology mobility provides the ability to tie together disparate radio access network assets based on different access technologies into a single integrated bandwidth delivery vehicle. Fig.2. shows the flexible interoperability by LTE.

Connectivity

Network Control Sub Layer

HSS HLR PCRF S5/S6 PGW PDSN

S11

Layer
Transport Sub Layer
eNode B

S6a
SI-MME MME LTE-Uu UE

SGW

Access Layer
Fig.1. Layers of 4G providing Interoperability and there is a relatively easy transition from the existing system to LAS CDMA. Link air emphasizes that LAS CDMA will accommodate all the advanced technology planned for 4G. LAS CDMA will also improve the prevailing techniques like WCDMA, 3RTT [1]. IV.INTEROPERABILITY BY LONG TERM EVOLUTION( LTE) Subscribers need the same internet experience that they have at home, anything anywhere. Existing wireless access technology such as HSPA and EVDO go part of the way in meeting this need but spectral efficiency, cell-edge capacity and high latency prevent them from providing the bandwidth capacity and Qos to enable a true broadband service. The data usage of current network is currently increasing. In response to these dynamics, Long Term Evolution (LTE) is introduced. LTE innovation goes on iron discussion for its greater bandwidth flexibility, modulation and access schemes .LTE is a step toward the 4G of radio technology designed to increase the capacity and speed of mobile telephone (LTE Air information network). LTE architecture has several defined interfaces (SI-MME, SI-U, S3-SS12, SGi etc) for interoperating with the network. These interfaces will allow users to roam into networks via these interfaces. LTE provides interoperability that allows users to leave their home and authenticate automatically into a visited network. This feature also provides access to public internet access, best effort data and VPN access to

SGSNN

GSM

WCDMA HSPA

CDMA

LTE

WiMAX

Figure 2. Flexible Interoperability by LTE

In this particular technique, two specific nodes such as serving gateway (SGW) and mobility management entity (MME) are used. Existing GSM, W-CDMA, HSPA can be integrated into LTE network through some standardized interfaces (SI-MME, SI-U, S3-SS12, SGi etc) between SGSN in case of 3GPP and packet service data network (PSDN) incase of 3GPP2.Presently vendors are providing 2G and 3G built in interoperability within SGSN and PDSN to LTE core network. All IP technology like WiMAX can interface in similar fashion to LTE core network. The PGW is responsible for IP address allocation for user equipment (UE) as well as QoS enforcement. When UE is attached to a network, it is assigned an IP address by the PGW and the fourth bearer is established. The preface of fourth bear is to provide always on connectivity. The PGW serves as a mobile anchor for interworking with non-3GPP technology such as cdma-2000 and WiMAX. Lastly home subscriber server (HSS), Home location register (HLR) contains usage subscriber information such as QoS at any access restrictly for roaming Both the facilities can be used to solve the problems in service deployment access technology integration and smooth migration. With the introduction of LTE, the

limitation of access network interconnection to technologies covered by the same standards is changing .LTE Standards accommodate the use of MIP to support inter-technology mobility between LTE and WiFi and also between EVDO and WiMAX [9]. III. V.INTEROPERABILITY BY CROSS LAYER

also provides end-to-end services, security and selforganization. More over using multiple description coding at application layer combined with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing at the link level provides robustness against hostile wireless channels. REFERENCES
[1] Emerging Wireless Technologie, A look into the future of wirelesscommunications-beyond3,safecomprogram.gov/NR/ rdonlyres/5C74C631-ACF6433F-B313-C. [2] D.I.Axiotis, F.I.Lazarakis and C.Vlahodimitro , 4G System Simulation Parameters for Evaluating the Interoperability of MTMR in UMTS and HIPERLAN/2, . Vehicular Technological Conference Spring 2003, the 57th IEEE Seminual, Vol.4, pp.2745-2749. [3] Mobility Management Challenges and Issues in HeterogenousNetwork delivery.avm.org/10.1145/115000 0/ 1142698/ a-14 hussain.pdf. [4] Evolution of wireless connection,4g wirelessevolution

In wireless network, interoperable systems provide coordination among layers. Cross-layer design or crosslayering provides functionalities associated with the original layers to allow coordination, interaction and joint optimization. of protocols crossing different layers. An example of cross layer approach for interoperability is shown in Fig. 2. NETMACPHY Cross Layer Management Plane Network Layer NET-MAC Cross Layer Management Plane

MACPHY Cross Layer Management Plane

MAC Layer

mcnet.com/topicsmostigov/my/mosti/images/stories/ DICT/policy
[5]. Interoperability of Future Wireles Communications Sytem, A Roadmap to 4G, mosti.gov.my/mosti/images/
DICT/policy

Physical Layer

[6] Co-operative Networks of 4G, www-scf.usc/edu/~ssaraf/ EE555.pdf. [7] L. Gavrilovska, V. Atanasovski, V. Rakovic, O. Ognenoski and A.Momiroski, Providing interoperability in heterogeneous environments towards 4G, ELMAR, 50th

Figure 3. Cross- Layer approach for Interoperability

MAC-PHY Cross Layer: The physical layer transmits power, which can be tuned by the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer to increase the range of transmission. NET MAC Cross Layer: Network layer could use MAC layer events like handoff to reduce Mobile-IP hand-off latency for seamless connectivity. NET-MAC-PHY Cross Layer: This layer provides seamless connectivity and enhanced transmission range [10]. IV. V.CONCLUSION

International Symposium, vol.1, 2008, pp 223 226.

[8] L. Dell'Uomo and E. Scarrone, All-IP 4G Network architecture for efficient mobility and resource management, 5th International Symposium on Wireless Personal Multimedia Communications,,vol.2, Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/WPMC.2002.1088243, 2002, pp 591 595. [9]NPSTC Broadband Task Force Governance group Roaming Whitepaper http://www.napco.org/Resources/700_MHz_BBTF_Final_Report_ 9-4-2009.pdf [10] Formal Methods in Cross Layer Modeling and Optimization ofWirelessNetworks,www.igi-global.com/downloads/exce rpts/8264.pdf.

For the development of 4G networks, interoperability issues are described and elaborated. The need for pervasive and ubiquitous networking requires integration of various wireless solutions (e.g. 3G and beyond, WiMAX, WiFi), each with own inherent characteristics, into a single platform capable of supporting transparent and uninterrupted user roaming. 4G is intended to provide high speed, high capacity, low cost per bit, IP based services for broadband multimedia. Reconfigurable, co-operative and cross layer architecture based on layered approach for interoperability are mentioned here. The co-net architecture