Cloud Computing
November 18, 2019
We are still waiting for the real entrance of the multi-core Digital Signal Processing (DSP) into the mobile networks. The reason why we are still waiting for the real breakthrough of virtualized DSP is basically laying in the type of mobile network functions suitable to be located on the multi-core DSP chips, as the high timing requirements are imposed by the rest of the network. This directly depends on which […]
November 18, 2019
In the following post, I will try to explain the importance and interests of the DSP processing in the cloud, including my vision of how it can be done and why it should be enabled. First of all, the processing of the DSP functions currently in the LTE is supported by the BBU (Baseband unit). BBUs are specialized hardware which process baseband signals coming from the RRUs (Radio Remote Units). […]
May 13, 2019
This post is prepared for non-technical readers and the general public. Introduction Mobile networks are growing fast and pushed by various applications, demanding lower latency, higher traffic volumes, and ultra-reliable connectivity. This led industry to renew their networks while keeping the costs down in order to meet diversified demands with competitive prizes. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) categorized 5G mobile network services into three use cases [1]: Enhanced Mobile […]
December 20, 2018
In mobile communication, simply put, latency is the time user traffic takes to travel between the user mobile smartphone and the service in the network (e.g., a video streaming server). Dependent of the type of application, the less is this time the better is the experience from the user point of view: what if you have to wait 10 seconds for your video to start? You would probably not appreciate […]
December 5, 2018
5G networks are expected to support various applications with a high flexibility meeting diversity of requirements in terms of latency, data rates and massive connectivity. A 5G network function (NF) supply a particular capability to support communication through a 5G network. NFs are normally virtualized, but some functions may need addition of more specialized hardware. NFs can be the functions that are common functions which are essential for all […]
September 19, 2018
One of the common ways to evaluate of the robustness of a network infrastructure is to estimate its behavior under a set of conditions that can vary in a non-deterministic way. In order to achieve that, a model that depicts this behavior as a function of the aforementioned load is needed, along with a Monte Carlo analyzer. Such a scenario was implemented using MBrace as a means to familiarize oneself with this […]
September 7, 2018
Control-/User Plane Separation (CUPS) [1] in mobile networks refer to the complete separation between control plane functions (which take care of the user connection management, as well as defining QoS policies, performing user authentication, etc.) and user plane functions (which deal with data traffic forwarding). It was first introduced by 3GPP’s Release 14 at packet data gateway level, concerning the 4G Evolved Packet Core (mobile core for 4G networks) and […]
August 31, 2018
Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) relies on the combination of various cutting-edge technologies [1] such as cloud computing and virtualization, a concept deployed near the end user (UE) proximity, instead of a central location. Furthermore, utilizing network function virtualization (NFV), software defined networks (SDN) and network slicing (NS) attributes, crucial requirements such as flexibility and multitenancy support are enabled. In detail: Cloud computing is a fusion of technologies which aims to […]
August 31, 2018
Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), or formerly known as Mobile Edge Computing, is a term given by ETSI, the European Telecommunication Standards Institute, when referring to the cloud-computing capabilities offered at the edge of the network. The term was changed in September 2017, in order “to embrace the challenges in the second phase of work and better reflect non-cellular operators’ requirements” [1]. MEC is responsible to deliver computing, storage and networking […]