Project Details
Projekt
Optimized network planning for converged optical access networks
Subject Area
Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering
Security and Dependability, Operating-, Communication- and Distributed Systems
Security and Dependability, Operating-, Communication- and Distributed Systems
Term
from 2015 to 2018
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 277682927
Optimal and efficient design of next generation access network is expected to be addressed by increasing network convergence. In this respect, converged optical access networks can support several heterogeneous communication services in parallel while offering high bandwidth. For example, the same optical fiber network could provide home network broadband access and serve as the access network for cellular base stations. In future, the trend towards small cells in cellular networks as well as emerging systems such as smart grid or M2M, increase even more the necessity for converged access networks. At the moment such converged access networks practically do not exist. A main reason is that an optimal design depends on a high number of different parameters (e.g. bandwidth, resilience, power consumption) which are difficult to represent and optimize in one single model. This new challenge demands for a fundamental redesign of the network planning process which is actually limited to one single communication service.A joint network planning method for a converged access network allows coping with the varying service and user requirements in one model. An expected outcome is that broadband access can be expedited even in areas where nowadays operators question their deployment. Optimized joint planning does not only have to take into account requirements such as varying capacity, and different resilience requests, but also other aspects including network virtualization, migration, and energy consumption. In the state of the art in network planning, the above described area is just emerging and so far focusing on closed system solutions such as FTTB and FTTH deployment and rollout. In this proposal, we aim at enhancing the state of the art with a new methodology towards converged next generation access networks. Therefore planning methods have to be reconsidered fundamentally taking heterogeneous requirements and their modelling into account as well as new opportunities for infrastructure sharing such as network virtualization. This research project aims at modelling, investigating, implementing and evaluating new planning methods for future access networks. These consider critical design parameters of the different technologies and also various different requirements. We also include the optimal mapping of virtual network provider requests into converged access networks in our planning method.To obtain our results, we model and solve the optimization problems related to the new planning concept. Heuristic solutions are considered to address performance and scalability. Our results will be validated by use cases. Sensitivity analysis reveals significant design parameters. In addition, a Markov Chain approach is used to model migration aspects towards converged networks.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
