Milica Popovic

Traffic generation application for simulating online games and M2M applications via wireless networks

In this paper we present results of traffic modeling and simulation of multiplayer real-time games and M2M applications using TCP protocol over Telekom Serbia HSPA mobile network, performed within the FP7 LOLA project. In this experimentation, the RTT (Round Trip Time) and cell statistics are analysed. For this purpose, a traffic generation application is developed for Android phones to generate traffic pattern for emerging Machine Type Communication and online multiplayer games in mobile wireless network for different offset of tests. Application is activated by setting the corresponding parameters related to desired test case, i.e. duration of testing, size and frequency of the data packets that the application sends to the server. The main goal of the cell statistic analysis is to evaluate potential impact of additional simulated traffic in view of increasing data-centric users on the performance of mobile wireless radio network.

Impact of Online Games and M2M Applications Traffic on Performance of HSPA Radio Access Networks

In this paper we presented results of the performance evaluation of the WCDMA/HSPA radio access network when loaded with multiplayer real-time games and M2M applications traffic. Evaluation was done in a live network, on one Node B. Traffic, characteristic for the emerging Machine Type Communication and online multiplayer games, was generated by an application running on 10 mobile phones in parallel, all connected to the Node B under test. The focus of the work was on the RTT (Round Trip Time) and radio cell statistics. The main goal of the cell statistics analysis was to evaluate potential impact of the additional traffic on the performance of 3G/HSPA radio access network. It is concluded that system is designed more for continuous traffic patterns with high data rate in general, than for sporadic traffic patterns with very low data rate, like that of M2M or online gaming nodes. Therefore, the cost of signaling and control activity is dominant in comparison to the data rate.

Evaluation of the UTRAN HSPA performance in different configurations in the presence of M2M and online gaming traffic

In this paper, performance analysis of a High Speed Packet Access network in the presence of machine-to-machine M2M and online gaming traffic is described. The evaluation was performed in a live network, using a number of mobile phones to generate additional traffic load. One Node B, with different configurations, was used throughout the experiments. The main areas of impact are identified, and similar underlying mechanisms are later recognised through deployment of a commercial large-scale M2M application. The paper describes the key findings of the analysis of five test cases from the network performance aspect. It further associates perceived network behaviour with the end-user experience in terms of the average delays. At the end, a comparison with the observed impacts of a live M2M application is given, and the main issues highlighted, together with a discussion on possible solutions. Copyright

Strategies for reducing the global EMF exposure: Cellular operators perspective

This paper outlines available means and possible new strategies for reducing Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure of the population in current and emerging cellular networks. The rise of public concerns stimulated by the ubiquity of wireless devices is generally misdirected at antennas of macro base stations, whereas the largest part of human exposure generally originates from user devices. This paper explores various EMF exposure scenarios, identifies resources for EMF assessment and techniques for its reduction, and paves the way for future validation of proposed techniques. Available cellular technologies, current traffic conditions and user context, including services used, are main points to be taken into account, as will be shown using preliminary measurement results, which justify our initial assumptions and illustrate the complexity of the subject matter. An assessment of the impact on communications standards of our proposed approach is also provided.

The impact of HSPA core network features on latency for M2M and OG-like traffic patterns

In this paper we present an analysis of influence of core network features on RTT for modelled M2M and Online Gaming traffic in a live 3G/HSPA network. Test traffic simulating multiplayer real-time games and M2M applications, was generated by an application on 10 mobile phones in parallel, sending data to a remote server. APNs with different combinations of hardware/features (proxy server, different GGSNs and firewalls, usage of Service Awareness feature) were chosen, and the traffic was recorded on the Gn interface in the mobile core. The goal of these experiments was to evaluate any eventually significant variation of average recorded RTTs in the core, that would clearly indicate either the impact of used APN on delay for a specific traffic pattern, or selectivity of the APN towards different traffic patterns.

Long-term variability of electromagnetic field strength for GSM 900MHz downlink band in Belgrade urban area

The long-term variability of electric field strength, obtained by band selective measurements for GSM 900 MHz DL band in real mobile network environment, is considered in this paper. Intensive measurements were carried out for 7 days at each of 7 different locations in urban area of Belgrade. The measurement results show that each day can be divided in two distinctive periods: one with the higher levels and (9h-23h) and one with the lower ones (23h-9h). Regarding the days of the week, the results show that the weekend days are slightly different from the working days. Having in mind the need for determination of values averaged over the defined time period, additional uncertainty stemming from telecommunication traffic and transmitter functionalities must be taken into account. Mentioned uncertainty was determined for different time intervals of averaging: 10s, 30s, 1min, 6min, 15min, 30min, 1h, 3h, 5h, 10h, 14h and 24h. Results show that the uncertainty is in the range 3.57 - 12.11% for 6 different categories defined with regards to the days of the week and the specific day periods.

HSPA radio access performance evaluation for Online games and M2M applications traffic (TCP vs UDP)

In this paper we presented results of the performance evaluation of the live 3G/HSPA radio access network when loaded with multiplayer real-time games and M2M applications traffic. Traffic, for the emerging Machine Type Communication and online multiplayer games, was generated by an application running on 10 mobile phones in parallel using TCP or UDP protocols. In the previous work NodeB processing power and the number of simultaneous HS users were identified as major bottlenecks for system performances. Set of new measurements is conducted with increased processing power and the number of simultaneous HS users. The focus of the work was on the radio cell statistics, i.e. to evaluate potential impact of the additional traffic on the performance of radio access network.

Experimental analysis of duty factor for WLAN user devices

Duty Factor (DF) of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) user devices is one of important factors for Electromagnetic Field (EMF) exposure level evaluation in modern human environment. In this paper DF measurements were conducted in three representative radio conditions (good, medium, bad), for eight most commonly used services (web browsing, VoIP call, video call, audio streaming, video streaming, file download, file upload and IPTV), and both for 802.11a and 802.11g networks. Having in mind that WLAN user devices usually transmit with the maximum power, the variety of obtained results (0.21%-74%) implies that the DF plays a crucial role in the evaluation of the average EMF exposure.

Methodology for the comparison of cellular technologies and services with respect to EMF exposure

In order to compare cellular technologies and services with respect to EMF exposure, the methodology for comparing user equipment transmit power levels averaged in time is proposed. Focusing on data that can be retrieved from the network and drive-test measurements, the paper identifies the main challenges: different reporting in different technologies, different signal shapes, and the activity of the service on the radio interface. The methodology for processing recorded samples is given, and illustrative examples analyzed.