Modeling and Comprehensive Review of Signaling Storms in 3GPP-Based Mobile Broadband Networks:Causes,Solutions,and Countermeasures

Control signaling is mandatory for the operation and management of all types of communication networks,including the Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP)mobile broadband networks.However,they consume important and scarce network resources such as bandwidth and processing power.There have been several reports of these control signaling turning into signaling storms halting network operations and causing the respective Telecom companies big financial losses.This paper draws its motivation from such real network disaster incidents attributed to signaling storms.In this paper,we present a thorough survey of the causes,of the signaling storm problems in 3GPP-based mobile broadband networks and discuss in detail their possible solutions and countermeasures.We provide relevant analytical models to help quantify the effect of the potential causes and benefits of their corresponding solutions.Another important contribution of this paper is the comparison of the possible causes and solutions/countermeasures,concerning their effect on several important network aspects such as architecture,additional signaling,fidelity,etc.,in the form of a table.This paper presents an update and an extension of our earlier conference publication.To our knowledge,no similar survey study exists on the subject.

Advancing 5G Network Applications Lifecycle Security:An ML-Driven Approach

As 5th Generation(5G)and Beyond 5G(B5G)networks become increasingly prevalent,ensuring not only networksecurity but also the security and reliability of the applications,the so-called network applications,becomesof paramount importance.This paper introduces a novel integrated model architecture,combining a networkapplication validation framework with an AI-driven reactive system to enhance security in real-time.The proposedmodel leverages machine learning(ML)and artificial intelligence(AI)to dynamically monitor and respond tosecurity threats,effectively mitigating potential risks before they impact the network infrastructure.This dualapproach not only validates the functionality and performance of network applications before their real deploymentbut also enhances the network’s ability to adapt and respond to threats as they arise.The implementation ofthis model,in the shape of an architecture deployed in two distinct sites,demonstrates its practical viability andeffectiveness.Integrating application validation with proactive threat detection and response,the proposed modeladdresses critical security challenges unique to 5G infrastructures.This paper details the model,architecture’sdesign,implementation,and evaluation of this solution,illustrating its potential to improve network securitymanagement in 5G environments significantly.Our findings highlight the architecture’s capability to ensure boththe operational integrity of network applications and the security of the underlying infrastructure,presenting asignificant advancement in network security.

Channel assignment and power allocation for throughput improvement with PPO in B5G heterogeneous edge networks

In Beyond the Fifth Generation(B5G)heterogeneous edge networks,numerous users are multiplexed on a channel or served on the same frequency resource block,in which case the transmitter applies coding and the receiver uses interference cancellation.Unfortunately,uncoordinated radio resource allocation can reduce system throughput and lead to user inequity,for this reason,in this paper,channel allocation and power allocation problems are formulated to maximize the system sum rate and minimum user achievable rate.Since the construction model is non-convex and the response variables are high-dimensional,a distributed Deep Reinforcement Learning(DRL)framework called distributed Proximal Policy Optimization(PPO)is proposed to allocate or assign resources.Specifically,several simulated agents are trained in a heterogeneous environment to find robust behaviors that perform well in channel assignment and power allocation.Moreover,agents in the collection stage slow down,which hinders the learning of other agents.Therefore,a preemption strategy is further proposed in this paper to optimize the distributed PPO,form DP-PPO and successfully mitigate the straggler problem.The experimental results show that our mechanism named DP-PPO improves the performance over other DRL methods.

Information Centric Networking Based Cooperative Caching Framework for 5G Communication Systems

The demands on conventional communication networks are increasing rapidly because of the exponential expansion of connected multimedia content.In light of the data-centric aspect of contemporary communication,the information-centric network(ICN)paradigm offers hope for a solution by emphasizing content retrieval by name instead of location.If 5G networks are to meet the expected data demand surge from expanded connectivity and Internet of Things(IoT)devices,then effective caching solutions will be required tomaximize network throughput andminimize the use of resources.Hence,an ICN-based Cooperative Caching(ICN-CoC)technique has been used to select a cache by considering cache position,content attractiveness,and rate prediction.The findings show that utilizing our suggested approach improves caching regarding the Cache Hit Ratio(CHR)of 84.3%,Average Hop Minimization Ratio(AHMR)of 89.5%,and Mean Access Latency(MAL)of 0.4 s.Within a framework,it suggests improved caching strategies to handle the difficulty of effectively controlling data consumption in 5G networks.These improvements aim to make the network run more smoothly by enhancing content delivery,decreasing latency,and relieving congestion.By improving 5G communication systems’capacity tomanage the demands faced by modern data-centric applications,the research ultimately aids in advancement.

5G Flexible Optical Transport Networks with Large-Capacity, Low-Latency and High-Efficiency

The fifth generation(5G) of mobile communications are facing big challenges, due to the proliferation of diversified terminals and unprecedented services such as internet of things(IoT), high-definition videos, virtual/augmented reality(VR/AR). To accommodate massive connections and astonish mobile traffic, an efficient 5G transport network is required. Optical transport network has been demonstrated to play an important role for carrying 5G radio signals. This paper focuses on the future challenges, recent studies and potential solutions for the 5G flexible optical transport networks with the performances on large-capacity, low-latency and high-efficiency. In addition, we discuss the technology development trends of the 5G transport networks in terms of the optical device, optical transport system, optical switching, and optical networking. Finally, we conclude the paper with the improvement of network intelligence enabled by these technologies to deterministic content delivery over 5G optical transport networks.

An SDN/NFV Based Framework for Management and Deployment of Service Based 5G Core Network

The traffic explosion and the rising of diverse requirements lead to many challenges for traditional mobile network architecture on flexibility, scalability, and deployability. To meet new requirements in the 5 G era, service based architecture is introduced into mobile networks. The monolithic network elements(e.g., MME, PGW, etc.) are split into smaller network functions to provide customized services. However, the management and deployment of network functions in service based 5 G core network are still big challenges. In this paper, we propose a novel management architecture for 5 G service based core network based on NFV and SDN. Combined with SDN, NFV and edge computing, the proposed framework can provide distributed and on-demand deployment of network functions, service guaranteed network slicing, flexible orchestration of network functions and optimal workload allocation. Simulations are conducted to show that the proposed framework and algorithm are effective in terms of reducing network operating cost.

Neural Network and GBSM Based Time-Varying and Stochastic Channel Modeling for 5G Millimeter Wave Communications

In this work,a frame work for time-varying channel modeling and simulation is proposed by using neural network(NN)to overcome the shortcomings in geometry based stochastic model(GBSM)and simulation approach.Two NN models are developed for modeling of path loss together with shadow fading(SF)and joint small scale channel parameters.The NN models can predict path loss plus SF and small scale channel parameters accurately compared with measurement at 26 GHz performed in an outdoor microcell.The time-varying path loss and small scale channel parameters generated by the NN models are proposed to replace the empirical path loss and channel parameter random numbers in GBSM-based framework to playback the measured channel and match with its environment.Moreover,the sparse feature of clusters,delay and angular spread,channel capacity are investigated by a virtual array measurement at 28 GHz in a large waiting hall.

Virtual 5G Network Embedding in a Heterogeneous and Multi-Domain Network Infrastructure

The pursuit of the higher performance mobile communications forces the emergence of the fifth generation mobile communication(5G). 5G network, integrating wireless and wired domain, can be qualified for the complex virtual network work oriented to the cross-domain requirement. In this paper, we focus on the multi-domain virtual network embedding in a heterogeneous 5G network infrastructure, which facilitates the resource sharing for diverse-function demands from fixed/mobile end users. We proposed the mathematical ILP model for this problem.And based on the layered-substrate-resource auxiliary graph and an effective six-quadrant service-type-judgment method, 5G embedding demands can be classified accurately to match different user access densities. A collection of novel heuristic algorithms of virtual 5G network embedding are proposed. A great deal of numerical simulation results testified that our algorithm performed better in terms of average blocking rate, routing latency and wireless/wired resource utilization, compared with the benchmark.

A Flexible Three Clouds 5G Mobile Network Architecture Based on NFV & SDN

Along with the completion of the development of 4G technologies, the global mobile community starts the study of the next generation technologies, i.e. 5G technologies. This paper proposes a new flexible architecture for 5G mobile networks based on Network Function Virtualization(NFV) and Software Defined Network(SDN) technologies, which is adaptable to use cases and scenarios. Then implementation reference architecture and some typical 5G network deployment cases are discussed. Besides, some key issues for further study are also indicated at the end.

From Earth to Space:A First Deployment of 5G Core Network on Satellite

Recent developments in the aerospace industry have led to a dramatic reduction in the manufacturing and launch costs of low Earth orbit satellites.The new trend enables the paradigm shift of satelliteterrestrial integrated networks with global coverage.In particular,the integration of 5G communication systems and satellites has the potential to restructure nextgeneration mobile networks.By leveraging the network function virtualization and network slicing,the satellite 5G core networks will facilitate the coordination and management of network functions in satellite-terrestrial integrated networks.We are the first to deploy a 5G core network on a real-world satellite to investigate its feasibility.We conducted experiments to validate the satellite 5G core network functions.The validated procedures include registration and session setup procedures.The results show that the satellite 5G core network can function normally and generate correct signaling.

Network-Aided Intelligent Traffic Steering in 5G Mobile Networks

Recently,the fifth generation(5G)of mobile networks has been deployed and various ranges of mobile services have been provided.The 5G mobile network supports improved mobile broadband,ultra-low latency and densely deployed massive devices.It allows multiple radio access technologies and interworks them for services.5G mobile systems employ traffic steering techniques to efficiently use multiple radio access technologies.However,conventional traffic steering techniques do not consider dynamic network conditions efficiently.In this paper,we propose a network aided traffic steering technique in 5G mobile network architecture.5G mobile systems monitor network conditions and learn with network data.Through a machine learning algorithm such as a feed-forward neural network,it recognizes dynamic network conditions and then performs traffic steering.The proposed scheme controls traffic for multiple radio access according to the ratio of measured throughput.Thus,it can be expected to improve traffic steering efficiency.The performance of the proposed traffic steering scheme is evaluated using extensive computer simulations.

A Game Theoretic Approach for Hierarchical Caching Resource Sharing in 5G Networks with Virtualization

Caching and virtualization have been considered as the promising techniques in 5G Networks. In 5G networks with virtualization, the caching resources deployed by infrastructure providers (InPs) can be abstracted into isolated slices and transparently shared by mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). In this case, one of the most important issues is how the MVNOs to share the caching resource. To solve this issue, different from previous works, a hierarchical caching architecture that core network and radio access network (RAN) have the caching capability in 5G networks with virtualization is first considered in this paper. Then, we study the problem of hierarchical caching resource sharing for MVNOs, and a competitive game to maximize their expectation revenue based on the oligopoly market model is formulated. As it is a hard problem to find the optimal solution in the hierarchical caching resource sharing problem, we decompose the optimization problem into two independent caching resource sharing problems in RAN and core network, respectively. Then the local optimal solutions are solved and the global Nash equilibrium solution is achieved. Finally, simulation results are illustrated to demonstrate the performance of the proposed scheme.

End-to-End Latency Evaluation of the Sat5G Network Based on Stochastic Network Calculus

Simultaneous use of heterogeneous radio access technologies to increase the performance of real-time,reliability and capacity is an inherent feature of satellite-5G integrated network(Sat5G).However,there is still a lack of theoretical characterization of whether the network can satisfy the end-to-end transmission performance for latency-sensitive service.To this end,we build a tandem model considering the connection relationship between the various components in Sat5G network architecture,and give an end-to-end latency calculation function based on this model.By introducing stochastic network calculus,we derive the relationship between the end-to-end latency bound and the violation probability considering the traffic characteristics of multimedia.Numerical results demonstrate the impact of different burst states and different service rates on this relationship,which means the higher the burst of arrival traffic and the higher the average rate of arrival traffic,the greater the probability of end-to-end latency violation.The results will provide valuable guidelines for the traffic control and cache management in Sat5G network.

Flex Ethernet Technology and Application in 5G Mobile Transport Network

With the advent of 5G era,the rise of cloud services,virtual reality/virtual reality(AR/VR),vehicle networking and other technologies has put forward new requirements for the bandwidth and delay of the bearer network.Traditional Ethernet technology cannot meet the new requirements very well.Flex Ethernet(FlexE)technology has emerged as the times require.This paper introduces the background,standardization process,functional principle,application mode and technical advantages of FlexE technology,and finally analyses its application prospects and shortcomings in 5G mobile transport network.

Comprehensive evaluation of 5G+smart distribution network based on combined weighting method-cloud model

With the large-scale application of 5G technology in smart distribution networks,the operation effects of distribution networks are not clear.Herein,we propose a comprehensive evaluation model of a 5G+smart distribution network based on the combination weighting and cloud model of the improved Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy-Entropy Weight Method(FAHP-EWM).First,we establish comprehensive evaluation indexes of a 5G+smart distribution network from five dimensions:reliable operation,economic operation,efficient interaction,technological intelligence,and green emission reduction.Second,by introducing the principle of variance minimization,we propose a combined weighting method based on the improved FAHP-EWM to calculate the comprehensive weight,so as to reduce the defects of subjective arbitrariness and promote objectivity.Finally,a comprehensive evaluation model of 5G+smart distribution network based on cloud model is proposed by considering the uncertainty of distribution network node information and equipment status information.The example analysis indicates that the overall operation of the 5G+smart distribution network project is decent,and the weight value calculated by the combined weighting method is more reasonable and accurate than that calculated by the single weighting method,which verifies the effectiveness and rationality of the proposed evaluation method.Moreover,the proposed evaluation method has a certain guiding role for the large-scale application of 5G communication technology in smart distribution networks.

Study on Security of 5G and Satellite Converged Communication Network

The 5G and satellite converged communication network(5G SCCN)is an impor⁃tant component of the integration of satellite-terrestrial networks,the national science,and technology major projects towards 2030.Security is the key to ensuring its operation,but at present,the research in this area has just started in our country.Based on the network char⁃acteristics and security risks,we propose the security architecture of the 5G SCCN and sys⁃tematically sort out the key protection technologies and improvement directions.In particu⁃lar,unique thinking on the security of lightweight data communication and design reference for the 5G SCCN network architecture is presented.It is expected to provide a piece of refer⁃ence for the follow-up 5G SCCN security technology research,standard evolution,and indus⁃trialization.

Adaptive Resource Allocation Algorithm for 5G Vehicular Cloud Communication

The current resource allocation in 5G vehicular networks for mobile cloud communication faces several challenges,such as low user utilization,unbalanced resource allocation,and extended adaptive allocation time.We propose an adaptive allocation algorithm for mobile cloud communication resources in 5G vehicular networks to address these issues.This study analyzes the components of the 5G vehicular network architecture to determine the performance of different components.It is ascertained that the communication modes in 5G vehicular networks for mobile cloud communication include in-band and out-of-band modes.Furthermore,this study analyzes the single-hop and multi-hop modes in mobile cloud communication and calculates the resource transmission rate and bandwidth in different communication modes.The study also determines the scenario of one-way and two-way vehicle lane cloud communication network connectivity,calculates the probability of vehicle network connectivity under different mobile cloud communication radii,and determines the amount of cloud communication resources required by vehicles in different lane scenarios.Based on the communication status of users in 5G vehicular networks,this study calculates the bandwidth and transmission rate of the allocated channels using Shannon’s formula.It determines the adaptive allocation of cloud communication resources,introduces an objective function to obtain the optimal solution after allocation,and completes the adaptive allocation process.The experimental results demonstrate that,with the application of the proposed method,the maximum utilization of user communication resources reaches approximately 99%.The balance coefficient curve approaches 1,and the allocation time remains under 2 s.This indicates that the proposed method has higher adaptive allocation efficiency.

Security Risk Prevention and Control Deployment for 5G Private Industrial Networks

In this paper,we investigate and analyze the network security risks faced by 5G private industrial networks.Based on current network security architecture and 3GPP requirements and considering the actual application of 5G private industrial networks,a comparative analysis is used to plan and design a private network security construction scheme.The network security construction model,network organization,and key processes of 5G private industrial networks at the current stage are investigated.In addition,the key direction for the next stage of construction is discussed.

Challenges for beyond 5G:ultra-densification of radio access network

Ultra-densification of radio access network(RAN)is a key to efficiently support the exponentially growing mobile data traffic in 5 G era.Furthermore,extremely high frequency band like mm Wave band was utilized to solve the bandwidth shortage problem.However,untra-dense reusing the same radio resource produced severe interference.And the mm Wave link was very harsh due to frequent blockage by obstacles.Therefore a new RAN architecture needed to be introduced to realize ultra-reliable communications in such a severe radio propagation environment.An architecture of distributed MIMO based RAN was presented.Then,enhanced interference coordination(e IC)was described.Finally,the effectiveness of distributed MIMO based RAN with e IC by computer simulation was showed.

Multi-Gigabit CO-OFDM System over SMF and MMF Links for 5G URLLC Backhaul Network

The 5G cellular network aims at providing three major services:Massive machine-type communication(mMTC),ultra-reliable low-latency communications(URLLC),and enhanced-mobile-broadband(eMBB).Among these services,the URLLC and eMBB require strict end-to-end latency of 1 ms while maintaining 99.999%reliability,and availability of extremely high data rates for the users,respectively.One of the critical challenges in meeting these requirements is to upgrade the existing optical fiber backhaul network interconnecting the base stations with a multigigabit capacity,low latency and very high reliability system.To address this issue,we have numerically analyzed 100 Gbit/s coherent optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(CO-OFDM)transmission performance over 400 km single-mode fiber(SMF)and 100 km of multi-mode fiber(MMF)links.The system is simulated over optically repeated and non-repeated SMF and MMF links.Coherent transmission is used,and the system is analyzed in a linear and non-linear regime.The system performance is quantified by bit error ratio(BER).Spectrally efficient and optimal transmission performance is achieved for 400 km SMF and 100 km MMF link.The results designate thatMMF links can be employed beyond short reach applications by using them in the existing SMF infrastructure for long haul transmission.In particular,the proposed CO-OFDM system can be efficiently employed in 5G backhaul network.The multi-gigabit capacity and lower BER of the proposed system makes it a suitable candidate especially for the eMBB and URLLC requirements for 5G backhaul network.