John L. Tomici

Multi-RAT traffic offloading solutions for the bandwidth crunch problem

Spurred by the increasing demand for mobile broadband services and the growing number of devices supporting multiple radio access technologies (e.g., cellular, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), much research is being done to improve the user experience while addressing issues related to network efficiency, congestion, interference, and cost to operators, service providers, manufacturers, and consumers alike. Standards bodies, industry players, and academia have been considering a wide range of inter-technology convergence solutions to address these issues. The solutions range from simple switching from one radio network to a “better” one, to maintaining individual application flows on multiple radio networks simultaneously and switching them dynamically as desired. More advanced solutions go one step further and aggregate the bandwidth across multiple simultaneous radio connections, thus increasing the data rates available for the applications. While the above solutions provide relief to the bandwidth crunch problem over the radio interface, different techniques are suitable to solve the loading and congestion problem over the ‘transport network’ of the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). These include selective IP traffic offload techniques for the Core Network, and FemtoCell solutions for the Radio Access Network. In addition, FemtoCells also enable local routing of IP traffic, further reducing network load. In this paper, we shall present an overview of related standardization activities in IETF, IEEE and 3GPP, while addressing some some innovative technical solutions for residential and enterprise scenarios.

Integrated small cell and Wi-Fi networks

The current 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) telecommunication standards support core-network based interworking between Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) at the Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW). Using the PDN-GW as the integration point causes a bottleneck in the mobile core network and results in inefficient inter-system handover procedure between the long term evolution (LTE) and Wi-Fi air interfaces. In this paper, we propose three new LTE-WLAN integrated architectures which enable more efficient inter-system handover mechanisms. The new architectures propose moving the integration point closer to the local integrated LTE/Wi-Fi network. In doing so, we introduce new logical network entities, reference points, and messages to the current 3GPP LTE-WLAN integrated architecture. Unlike existing user-initiated intersystem handover mechanisms, the proposed handover mechanisms may also be network-initiated to dynamically adapt to the conditions in the local LTE/Wi-Fi network (e.g., load balancing).

Local IP Flow Mobility to enhance femtocell benefits for open metro deployment

In this paper we describe the benefits and use cases of femtocell based solutions for metro deployments. We then describe a Converged Gateway (CGW) concept which manages a femtocell and WiFi AP. After explaining the architecture of the CGW and the details of how the CGW interacts with the femtocell, WiFi AP and mobile core network, we explore CGW-based IP Flow Mobility. The various processes that define CGW-based IFOM are explained and examples are provided. There are often choppy waters in the approval process for traditional cell towers where the features of a CGW may provide an acceptable path forward. We discuss several court cases to set the framework, and then consider how a CGW may provide some desirable flexibility.

Mobility management for dense networks

This paper considers a Wireless Local Area Network consisting of Access Points that can provide only a limited cone of coverage. A dense access point deployment is required for such a network to provide coverage over a substantial area. Such a deployment introduces challenges associated with support of terminal mobility, backhaul management load and association. In this paper, we propose simple yet effective solutions to these problems.

Non-satellite based field communications system for battlefield deployments

Many wireless systems used by military ground personnel are satellite based. This paper explores a hybrid system that benefits from both satellite and terrestrial wireless technologies while overcoming the limitations of each. We present the architecture, describe the merits, and then explain the essence of the system: IP Flow mobility. After introducing this concept, we describe some of the important aspects that specifically relate to mobility and security.