Pages: 1 - 4 Abstract: From October 15th through 19th, 2012, Prof. Tiffany Jing Li of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of Lehigh University visited the Communications Society Morelia, Guadalajara and Monterrey Chapters as part of the ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Tour (DLT) program. The IEEE Communications Society provides the initiative of the DLT program, where recognized and world renowned experts give lectures at Chapters on all continents. The initiative allows students, professionals and researchers to attend open lectures given in their cities and interact with the Distinguished Lecturer to improve their knowledge and perspective on the topics presented. The Chapters started planning to host this event in March 2012. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Bhargava; V.; Pages: 6 - 6 Abstract: This year ComSoc??s Management Retreat was collocated with the Operations Committee (OpCom) meeting and the two events were held in Newark, New Jersey during 17-18 March 2013. The purpose of the OpCom, a subset of the Board of Governors (BoG), is to manage the affairs of the Society between formal and special BoG meetings. Operating plans for the year were presented by Society Officers, and as a result several action items were arrived at. Actions of the OpCom must be ratified by the full BoG, which is scheduled to meet 11-12 June 2013 during ICC. After this meeting I will be in a position to report the action items to you. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Pages: 8 - 8 Abstract: Provides a notice of upcoming conference events of interest to practitioners and researchers. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Frantz; R.; Pages: 10 - 11 Abstract: In 2008, when the WCET examination was first offered, communicating with prospective candidates was straightforward. In addition to the WCET website, we published the first issue of the Candidate??s Handbook, and we responded to email inquiries from all interested persons. Today there are a lot more options: multiple websites, an e-newsletter, groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and even a new WCET app for your mobile device. Here??s a quick look at the many ways you can find out more about the WCET certification program. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Guvenc; I.;Quek, T.Q.S.;Kountouris, M.;Lopez-Perez, D.; Pages: 34 - 35 Abstract: Driven by a new generation of wireless user equipment and the proliferation of bandwidth-intensive applications, user data traffic and the corresponding network load are increasing in an exponential manner. Most of this new data traffic is being generated indoors, which requires increased link budget and coverage extension to provide satisfactory user experience. As a result, current cellular networks are reaching their breaking point, and conventional cellular architectures that are devised to cater to large coverage areas and optimized for homogeneous traffic are facing unprecedented challenges to meet these user demands. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Peng; M.;Liang, D.;Wei, Y.;Li, J.;Chen, H.-H.; Pages: 36 - 45 Abstract: Self-organizing network, or SON, technology, which is able to minimize human intervention in networking processes, was proposed to reduce the operational costs for service providers in future wireless systems. As a cost-effective means to significantly enhance capacity, heterogeneous deployment has been defined in the 3GPP LTEAdvanced standard, where performance gains can be achieved through increasing node density with low-power nodes, such as pico, femto, and relay nodes. The SON has great potential for application in future LTE-Advanced heterogeneous networks, also called HetNets. In this article, state-of-the-art research on self-configuring and self-optimizing HetNets are surveyed, and their corresponding SON architectures are introduced. In particular, we discuss the issues of automatic physical cell identifier assignment and radio resource configuration in HetNets based on selfconfiguring SONs. As for self-optimizing SONs, we address the issues of optimization strategies and algorithms for mobility management and energy saving in HetNets. At the end of the article, we show a testbed designed for evaluating SON technology, with which the performance gain of SON algorithms is demonstrated. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Guo; W.;Wang, S.;Chu, X.;Zhang, J.;Chen, J.;Song, H.; Pages: 46 - 53 Abstract: Optimizing the cellular network??s cell locations is one of the most fundamental problems of network design. The general objective is to provide the desired QoS with the minimum system cost. In order to meet a growing appetite for mobile data services, heterogeneous networks have been proposed as a cost- and energyefficient method of improving local spectral efficiency. While unarticulated cell deployments can lead to localized improvements, there is a significant risk posed to network-wide performance due to the additional interference. The first part of the article focuses on state-of-the-art modelling and radio planning methods based on stochastic geometry and Monte Carlo simulations, and the emerging automatic deployment prediction technique for low-power nodes, or LPNs, in heterogeneous networks. The technique advises an LPN where it should be deployed, given certain knowledge of the network. The second part of the article focuses on algorithms that utilize interference and physical environment knowledge to assist LPN deployment. The proposed techniques can not only improve network performance, but also reduce radio planning complexity, capital expenditure, and energy consumption of the cellular network. The theoretical work is supported by numerical results from system-level simulations that employ real cellular network data and physical environments. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Munoz; P.;Barco, R.;Laselva, D.;Mogensen, P.; Pages: 54 - 62 Abstract: The large increase in size and complexity experienced by cellular networks in recent years has led to a new paradigm known as heterogeneous networks, or HetNets. In this context, networks with different cell sizes, radio access technologies, or carrier frequencies can be deployed in the same environment. As the coverage area of each of these networks is typically overlapped, operators have some degree of freedom to modify user distributions across the networks (i.e., traffic steering) in order to improve network performance. This article introduces different mechanisms of traffic steering in Het- Nets, clarifying the specific goals that operators can set and focusing on those techniques that adjust mobility parameters, which are typically more attractive to achieve these goals. In addition, some challenging issues arising from particular HetNet deployments are discussed and illustrated by example use cases, which are applicable to an early stage of LTE deployment. Finally, a fuzzy-logic-based algorithm that optimizes network parameters for traffic steering is proposed. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Pedersen; K.I.;Michaelsen, P.H.;Rosa, C.;Barbera, S.; Pages: 64 - 71 Abstract: In this article we first summarize some of the most recent HetNet mobility studies for LTEAdvanced, and use these to highlight the challenges that should be further addressed in the research community. A state-of-the-art HetNet scenario with macros and small cells deployed on different carriers, while using inter-site carrier aggregation, is hereafter studied. Hybrid Het- Net mobility solutions for such cases are derived, where macrocell mobility is network controlled, while small-cell mobility is made UEautonomous. The proposed scheme is characterized by having the UE devices autonomously decide small cell addition, removal, and change without any explicit signaling of measurement events to the network or any signaling of hand - over commands from the network. Hence, the proposed solution effectively offloads the network from having to perform frequent small cell handoff decisions, and reduces the signaling overhead compared to known network controlled mobility solutions. Results from extensive dynamic system-level simulations are presented to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed technique, showing significant savings in signaling overhead. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Prasad; A.;Tirkkonen, O.;Lund??n, P.;Yilmaz, O.N.C.;Dalsgaard, L.;Wijting, C.; Pages: 72 - 81 Abstract: Heterogeneous network, or HetNet, deployments are one of the key enablers in providing ubiquitous coverage and capacity enhancements for LTE-Advanced networks. They play an important role in achieving high data rate and quality of service requirements defined for next generation wireless networks. In this article we evaluate various cell discovery techniques tailored for energy-efficient detection of small cells deployed in a carrier other than the serving macrocell. The presented schemes are evaluated using extensive system simulations conducted in a 3GPP LTE-Advanced HetNet scenario. Shortcomings of the currently standardized mechanism are analyzed, and advantages of the evaluated schemes are presented. Both the offloading opportunity utilization and savings in UE battery power consumption are analyzed. The results show that using the considered flexible, adaptive, and intelligent schemes for small cell discovery, significant UE power savings can be achieved with small loss in offloading ?? giving benefits both on system level as well as in user experience. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Xu; X.;He, G.;Zhang, S.;Chen, Y.;Xu, S.; Pages: 82 - 90 Abstract: Traditional wireless networks are designed for ubiquitous network access provision with low-rate voice services, which thus preserve the homogeneous architecture and tight coupling for infrastructures such as base stations. With the traffic explosion and the paradigm shift from voice-oriented services to data-oriented services, traditional homogeneous architecture no longer maintains its optimality, and heterogeneous deployment with flexible network control capability becomes a promising evolution direction. To achieve this goal, in this article, we propose a two-layer network functionality separation scheme, targeting at low control signaling overhead and flexible network reconfiguration for future mobile networks. The proposed scheme is shown to support all kinds of user activities defined in current networks. Moreover, we give two examples to illustrate how the proposed scheme can be applied to multicarrier networks and suggest two important design principles for future green networks. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme achieves significant energy reduction over traditional LTE networks, and can be recommended as a candidate solution for future green mobile networks. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Bajic; I.V.;Cheung, G.;Frossard, P.;Ostermann, J.;Tan, W.-T.; Pages: 92 - 93 Abstract: Streaming of single-view video is now commonplace, so we expect to access any video content anywhere on any device. The delivery of 3D video streams, however, brings new technical challenges along with the promise of adding visual realism to the 3D scene by enhancing the perception of depth. The term ??3D video?? encompasses different types of video: ?? Stereoscopic video, with two slightly shifted video views for the observer??s left and right eyes ?? Multiview video, where more than two video views are encoded for either an advanced multiview display terminal, or interactive applications where an observer can freely select any of the captured views for observation ?? Free viewpoint video, where geometric information of the 3D scene (e.g., depth maps) are transmitted along with multiview videos so that novel images can be synthesized at virtual viewpoints via depth-image-based rendering (DIBR) PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Chakareski; J.; Pages: 94 - 100 Abstract: Delivering multiview video content over present packet networks poses multiple challenges. First, the best effort nature of the Internet exposes media packets to variable bandwidth, loss, and delay as they traverse the network. Second, the prediction dependencies employed to maximize compression efficiency make the reconstruction process at the client extremely vulnerable to missing data. Third, the heterogeneity of client devices in terms of computing power, display capabilities, and access link capacity necessitates customizing the streaming process per user. My article reviews existing opportunities for addressing these challenges from within each of the three main stages of the content delivery pipeline (i.e., encoding, transmission, and reconstruction). Concretely, I first describe adaptive source coding techniques that construct a compressed representation of the multiview video source that exhibits resilience to network bandwidth variations and client view selection uncertainty. Then I discuss intelligent methods for error protection, caching, and packet scheduling that organize the transmission of multiview data in a bandwidth-effective way. Here, I also review prospective multipath and cloud-assisted techniques for multiview video streaming. Finally, I identify robust client-side content reconstruction schemes and adaptive media playout methods that can minimize the impact of missing data and enhance the user?????????s interactive experience. Then I proceed to describe community-driven streaming techniques for delivering interactive multiview content over a population of social peers. The article concludes with an outline of approaches for synergistic exploitation of the techniques I will present theretofore, jointly across the different layers of the network protocol stack at which they individually operate. Here, I also highlight the main deployment challenges for some of these techniques, and how their design should be addressed accordingly, to overcome-
them. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Hewage; C.T.E.R.;Martini, M.G.; Pages: 101 - 107 Abstract: New 3D video applications and services are emerging to fulfill increasing user demand. This effort is well supported by the increasing 3D video content including user generated content (e.g., through 3D capture/display enabled mobile phones), technological advancements (e.g., HD 3D video capture and processing methods), affordable 3D displays, and standardization activities. However, not much attention has been given to how these technologies, along the end-to-end chain from content capture to display, affect user perception and whether the overall experience of 3D video users is satisfactory or not. 3D video streaming also introduces artifacts on the reconstructed 3D video at the receiver end, leading to inferior quality and user experience. In this article we present and discuss in detail how artifacts introduced during 3D video streaming affect the end-user perception and how we could use realtime quality evaluation methodologies to overcome these effects. The observations presented can underpin the design of future QoE-aware 3D video streaming systems. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
G??rler; C.G.;Tekalp, M.; Pages: 108 - 114 Abstract: 3D video is destined to be available in homes and mobile devices. Stereoscopic TV broadcasts have already begun in frame-compatible format for stereoscopic 3D. The natural next step is to deliver 3D content in the form of multiview video (MVV) that enables a natural glasses-free 3D experience. Unfortunately, the number of views needed to drive multiview displays varies depending on the price vs. quality trade-off. Therefore, the bitrate requirement of MVV content changes according to users?? display technology, making transmission over fixed bit rate channels inefficient. IP provides a flexible transport mechanism for 3D content; however, wellknown problems such as fluctuations in available link capacity and varying transmission delays pose challenges to 3D video services over the Internet. In this study, we discuss quality-ofexperience- aware rate adaptation methods specific to 3D video and efficient encoding schemes. Then, we introduce a framework to design P2P overlays to deliver 3D video. P2P overlays offer a promising approach to alleviate the high bandwidth requirement of MVV. Furthermore, two use case scenarios are provided to show the discussed methods can help to make 3D video delivery practical over the Internet. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Gebizlioglu; O.S.;Jain, V.;Spencer, J.; Pages: 116 - 117 Abstract: In the first quarter of this year, the optical communications industry??s major event, OFCNFOEC ??13, was held in Anaheim, California, with global participation (in excess of 12,000 attendees) in the conference??s technical program and exhibit (more than 550 exhibiting companies). More than 800 technical presentations covered a broad range of optical communications technologies from advances in high-speed optical transport, software-defined networking (SDN), silicon photonics to optical interconnects in future computing systems, as well as progress in optical test and measurement. As we have witnessed in the past years, a vibrant global optical communications industry was in display at this year??s OFCNFOEC. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Zhao; Y.;Zhang, J.;Zhang, M.;Ji, Y.;Gu, W.; Pages: 118 - 127 Abstract: With the development of large-scale multilayer and multidomain optical networks, the path computation process becomes increasingly complicated in consideration of various policies and constraints. In particular, to meet the rigid requirements of multiple layers and multiple domains, dynamic routing has become one of the key issues in GMPLS/ASON networks. In this article, a novel dual routing engine architecture in multilayer and multidomain scalable and constraint-aware policy-enabled optical networks, DREAM, is proposed. This new architecture exploits the advantages of both the GMPLS control plane and path computation element PCE. The cooperation of a group engine and a unit engine effectively optimizes the path computation process, especially under the multiple constraints. In this article, the functional compositions of dual routing engines, core elements of DREAM, are described in detail. Six cooperation modes between group and unit engines are investigated. Two different routing schemes (DRE-FPC and HDRE-BRPC) are proposed and evaluated on a DREAM-based testbed, which is able to support over 1000 nodes divided into 20 or more domains. Numerical results are given and analyzed based on the testbed. Some future discussion and exploration issues are presented in the conclusion. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Mantelet; G.;Tremblay, C.;Plant, D.V.;Littlewood, P.;B??langer, M.P.; Pages: 128 - 135 Abstract: In this article, we present the concept of the filterless optical network from a control plane perspective, defining the network and showing to what extent a control plane could be adapted to it. Then we propose a control plane architecture and study its performance. Filterless networks act as passive broadcast and select networks, in which active switching elements, such as the wavelength selection switch, are replaced by passive optical splitters and combiners, and network agility is provided by tunable transceivers. We introduce the concept of unfiltered channels and that of backward and forward ports, and show how they impact topological performance, and, in particular, the fact that wavelength usage increases greatly as the protection ratio shrinks. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Derksen; R.H.;Westergren, U.;Chacinski, M.;Schubert, C.;Bach, H.-G.;Driad, R.;Hurm, V.;Makon, R.E.;Li, J.;Steffan, A.G.; Pages: 136 - 144 Abstract: In 2010, the standard for 100GbE was approved, which specifies the transmission of 100 Gb/s via 4 wavelength channels of 25 Gb/s each. A solution based on a 100 Gb/s single wavelength channel is capable of significant cost reductions should the required components be available. Within the HECTO project, we developed components suitable for single-wavelength 100 Gb/s transmission. In this article, the project is described ?? its organization, objectives, possible impacts, and results ?? including the successful demonstration in a final field trial. A complete ETDM system utilizing the monolithically integrated transmitter and receiver modules developed in the project was built to transmit 112 Gb/s over 42 km standard single-mode fiber. Finally, we attempt an outlook on the prospective development of Ethernet standardization beyond 100GbE. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Chen; W.;Delgrossi, L.;Kosch, T.;Saito, T.; Pages: 146 - 147 Abstract: In this 11th issue of the Automotive Networking and Applications Series, we are pleased to present two survey articles on Long Term Evolution (LTE) for vehicular networking and multichannel communications in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), respectively. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Araniti; G.;Campolo, C.;Condoluci, M.;Iera, A.;Molinaro, A.; Pages: 148 - 157 Abstract: A wide variety of applications for road safety and traffic efficiency are intended to answer the urgent call for smarter, greener, and safer mobility. Although IEEE 802.11p is considered the de facto standard for on-the-road communications, stakeholders have recently started to investigate the usability of LTE to support vehicular applications. In this article, related work and running standardization activities are scanned and critically discussed; strengths and weaknesses of LTE as an enabling technology for vehicular communications are analyzed; and open issues and critical design choices are highlighted to serve as guidelines for future research in this hot topic. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Campolo; C.;Molinaro, A.; Pages: 158 - 169 Abstract: Vehicular ad hoc networks are the key to provisioning safety-critical and commercial services on the road. Multiple channels are assigned in the 5 GHz spectrum to support these services. In this article an overview of the multichannel architecture proposed by standardization bodies in the United States and Europe is presented. The main contribution is the identification of the open challenges for multichannel coordination, synchronization, and access. Discussions on related countermeasures, fully explored in neither the standards nor the scientific literature, aim to serve as guidelines for designers of future protocols and applications in vehicular environments. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Pages: 170 - 177 Abstract: In part I of this article we presented the design alternatives, issues, and challenges for designing backhaul for 2G (GSM, CDMA) and 3G (UMTS, CDMA2000) radio access networks (RANs). Part II extends the survey of backhaul technologies to address LTE-based RANs. We present various alternatives to deal with the specific requirements imposed by Evolved Packet System architecture on the backhaul design. In particular, we address handling of the X2 interface, network security through IPSec, distribution of frequency and phase synchronization, the impact of small cell design, self-organizing networks, and endend QoS management within backhaul. We also present a brief overview of active debates with respect to some of these design options as open issues, in particular the impact of LTE-Advanced requirements on LTE backhaul design. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Gambini; J.;Spagnolini, U.; Pages: 178 - 185 Abstract: Interference control is crucial to reach the expected spectral efficiencies in femtocell systems. Centralized and joint baseband (BB) processing of all femtocell signals can reduce inter-cell/intra-cell interference at the expense of fast signaling and strict synchronization to coordinate the multiple femtocell links. In this article, we revisit the conventional femtocell architecture by proposing the multi-cell baseband processing for interference mitigation based on a distributed antennas system. The proposed configuration resorts to the wireless over cable (WoC) paradigm and is based on the concept of replacing the in-house base station (Femtocell Access Point) with a home-device that simply transfers the analog radio frequency (RF) signals from the air-link to the existing cable connections. These home-devices act as bidirectional amplify-and-forward (AF) relays of air signals toward cable (and vice-versa) by operating a frequency conversion of the wireless spectrum to accommodate the cable specifications and coexistence with other services. Splitting RF processing (at home) from baseband processing (centralized at the nearest street cabinet or central office collecting multiple cables) guarantees that multi-cell processing exploits the same advantages as MIMO systems. The analysis of WoC for twisted pair telephone lines shows the advantages of the FemtoWoC architecture despite the coexistence with other interfering xDSL services over the cable, or the propagation over the widely deployed copper wirelines. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Stenumgaard; P.;Persson, D.;Larsson, E.G.;Wiklundh, K.; Pages: 186 - 192 Abstract: Experience has shown that unpredictable disruption of communications during emergency operations can have severe consequences both for personal safety and for the ability to conduct a successful operation. An early-warning service for emerging communication disruption due to both unintentional interference and jamming, would therefore be a significant contribution for increased safety and security in such operations. We propose a solution for such an early-warning service both on the terminal and on higher system level. The solution is based on historical recorded data of both local and global information such as signal-to-interference ratio, interference classification, and position. We show by an example that with this service implemented, the operator will have increased time to take actions before a disruption occurs on a specific terminal. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Authors:
Ger??; B.P.;Farkas, J.;Kini, S.;Saltsidis, P.;Tak??cs, A.; Pages: 193 - 199 Abstract: Large scale Metro Ethernet Networks are widely deployed using Provider Bridging (PB) technology. Scaling these networks is a challenging task for any network operator. Newer technologies such as Provider Backbone Bridging (PBB) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) are available as choices to a carrier that is upgrading PB networks. In this paper we focus on technologies that are be ing deployed in Metro Ethernet Networks and discuss how to introduce them in a gradual way. We also define a method that allows in-service migration of VLAN services. Furthermore, we provide techniques that allow providers to reap the benefits that the new technologies offer from the beginning of their deployment without the need for a forklift network upgrade. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
Pages: 200 - 200 Abstract: Presents an index of advertisers that were included in this issue of IEEE Communications Magazine. PubDate:
May 2013
Issue No:Vol. 51, No. 5 (2013)
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