Janez Sterle

Application-based NGN QoE controller

In this article, a specification and testbed implementation results of an application-based QoE controller are presented, proposing a solution for objective and context-aware end-to-end QoE control in the NGN networks. The proposed solution bases on standardized NGN service enabler operation principles that allows for efficient in-service QoE estimation and optimization. QoE control is accomplished through context-based QoE modeling, the principal role of which is to provide a detailed description of the circumstances, under which the communication is established and by which the end-users QoE is affected. Implementation results and findings confirm feasibility and efficient design of the QoE controller proposal as well as full compliance with the requirements for its deployment into real-world NGN environments.

Contextualized monitoring and root cause discovery in IPTV systems using data visualization

This article describes the architecture and design of an IPTV network monitoring system and some of the use cases it enables. The system is based on distributed agents within IPTV terminal equipment (set-top box), which collect and send the data to a server where it is analyzed and visualized. In the article we explore how large amounts of collected data can be utilized for monitoring the quality of service and user experience in real time, as well as for discovering trends and anomalies over longer periods of time. Furthermore, the data can be enriched using external data sources, providing a deeper understanding of the system by discovering correlations with events outside of the monitored domain. Four supported use cases are described, among them using weather information for explaining away the IPTV quality degradation. The system has been successfully deployed and is in operation at the Slovenian IPTV provider Telekom Slovenije.

Open and Scalable IoT Platform and Its Applications for Real Time Access Line Monitoring and Alarm Correlation

We present an open intelligent communication platform that can be used to support various usage scenarios related to future internet of things. Its purpose is twofold: to support fusion of large amounts of data, irrespective of their source or structure and to provide users or devices with semantically analysed and enriched data according to their needs and context. Using the platform, users are able to access enriched data, receive warnings and notifications about events recognised by the system. We present applications for the real time access line monitoring and alarm correlation that respond to telecommunications operators’ needs in the field of proactive line measurement in enabling the helpdesk and field technical teams to pinpoint the cause of service degradations.

Application-driven OAM framework for heterogeneous IoT environments

We present a novel approach for providing a comprehensive operational picture of heterogeneous networks by collecting system information from physical, data-link, network and application layers using extended methods and mechanisms for OAM, which take into account particularities of persistent access heterogeneity and IoT. A heterogeneous OAM (H-OAM) framework is proposed with a toolset for streamlined failure detection and isolation, and automated performance measurement and monitoring. The framework combines extended standardized OAM toolsets for physical and data-link layers with multiple well-defined and recognized IP network layer toolsets, which introduces possibilities for a tactical view of the monitored system and quick root cause analysis with unified interpretation and cross-correlation of horizontal and vertical levels. A practical deployment of an H-OAM system is presented and its use is demonstrated in a live mobile IoT testbed environment where performance is a function of a wide variety of physical layer parameters that need to be tuned and monitored by the operator. Results of two concrete usage scenarios performed in cooperation with two largest Slovenian mobile operators demonstrate how continuity check and connectivity verification, and performance diagnostics are conducted for Web-based IoT applications and network services of a live operational environment.

Network monitoring applications based on IoT system

We present applications for network monitoring based on intelligent communication platform that can also be used to support various usage scenarios related to future internet of things. Applications presented include real time DSL access line monitoring and IPTV monitoring, correlated with lightning reports. The solution is used in the field of proactive monitoring, enabling the operators helpdesk and field technical teams to pinpoint the cause of service degradations.

Safety and privacy considerations for mobile application design in digital healthcare

This paper presents a case study on security and privacy implications on the design of a mobile application in digital health, the DeStress Assistant (DeSA) app, which utilizes sensing technologies and capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT). An analysis of the applicable legislative framework is provided and selected challenges encountered during the app design are discussed, which are related with the practical implications of provisions of the international and national legislation for software applications in general as well as medical devices and handling of sensitive data in particular. We provide insights into design choices, including different possible scenarios for classification of a mobile app as a medical device and the pertaining legal risks the app developer is faced with as a consequence of possible legal obligations, and different possibilities of specifying the intended use. Also, we propose two designs of a mechanism that enables secure sharing of the patients health-related observations from the DeSA app with a medical professional within a treatment context. The first mechanism provides secure submission of health-related observations into a hospital information system, whereas the second mechanism enables secure short-term sharing of observations without storage.

Deploying and managing a network of autonomous internet measurement probes: lessons learned

We present our experience with design, development, deployment, and operation of a nation-wide network of mobile Internet measurement probes. Mobile internet is becoming increasingly important, with new technologies being deployed on a regular basis. In the last decade we have seen a transition over a multitude of data transmission technologies, from EDGE, UMTS, and HSPA to LTE, with 5G already on the horizon. This presents an extremely heterogeneous environment where problems are difficult to pinpoint, because of either the fast changing radio channel conditions, daily mobility of the user base, or a number of fallback technologies that are available at a specific location and chosen by the terminal itself. To quantify these conditions, we have developed a mobile internet measurement probe called QMON, which can be either statically deployed or used in drive measurements and is able to collect hundreds of key performance indicators on physical, network, and application layers of the network stack, acting at the same time as an event-driven real-time sensor network and a batch-mode detailed data collection device. In this paper we expose some of the design considerations and pitfalls; among them are the problems of managing and monitoring the remote probes that measure the same communication channel that is also used for their control.

Multi-layer end-to-end mobile network monitoring

In this paper we present a multi-layer end-to-end QoE and QoS measurement and data collection system for mobile networks. It enables effortless collection of information, which can be used for network tuning and optimization, as well as early problem detection. The distributed and centrally controlled system of probes collects data on the physical layer by polling the mobile modem, measures key performance parameters on the network and application levels, and finally estimates the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) of specific services using established MOS models. Thus, it allows the operator to determine user services degradation, as well as the detection of network problems and their possible causes. We also present sample results measured on two live LTE networks in Slovenia, taking into account the data from multiple layers of the mobile network stack.

A novel approach to building a heterogeneous emergency response communication system

We present a specification and a nationwide pilot implementation of a future public safety communication system. We propose a novel approach to survivable heterogeneous emergency communication systems, merging professional and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, communicating over state-of-the-art mobile and satellite links. We explain the architecture and functional outline of an Advanced Emergency Response Communications System (A-ERCS), which was developed and integrated with professional, commercial, and ad hoc networks to provide survivable communications services and sensor-based applications to support public safety agencies in their day-to-day operation and disaster relief missions. Further, we present the results of a real-world pilot implementation, customized for fire fighter services in Slovenia, and discuss the outcomes of performance tests, showing how the proposed solution can be applied in public safety practice and how COTS technologies can be efficiently and reliably reused in this specific domain.

Implementing mission critical services and applications on top of heterogeneous networks

We present an advanced and resilient solution for equipping first responders with survivable high-performance communications and Internet-of-Things (IoT) services in day-to-day operations and in disaster relief missions. The system provides intervention teams with transparent connectivity by leveraging any available professional, commercial or ad-hoc communication network using advanced future networking technologies, such as IPv6 and smart tunneling. First responders in action benefit from sensors and professional IoT services that assist and protect them during mission, based on-location tracking, triage reporting, vital signs monitoring and video feeds. In headquarters, professional intervention management software offers advanced services for real-time intervention monitoring, such as contextualized fleet tracking, visual sensor alerts and live video feeds from the field, as well as services to support international and cross-agency cooperation.