1. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Access Network Discovery and Selection in
the Future Broadband Wireless Environment
Marius Corici, Jens Fiedler,
Thomas Magedanz, Dragos Vingarzan
Fraunhofer FOKUS
Berlin, Germany
{Marius-Iulian.Corici, Jens.Fiedler,
Thomas.Magedanz, Dragos.Vingarzan}@fokus.fraunhofer.de
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2. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Outline
Motivation - Access Network Discovery and Selection
3GPP Evolved Packet Core
Beyond ANDSF
– Subscription based ANDSF
– Dynamic Discovery
– Location Enabler
– Femtocells Discovery and Selection
Fraunhofer FOKUS OpenEPC realization
– OpenEPC introduction
– ANDSF Realization
– OpenEPC ANDSF Evaluation
Conclusions
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3. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Access Network Discovery and Selection
Motivation
New access technologies are deployed/older accesses are maintained Dense wireless
environments
More Mobile Devices are now using IP services Mass mobile broadband
communication
For an optimized network usage network providers have
to provide indications on the for access network discovery
Common
and selection Applications
and Services
GSM
GSM
EDGE
EDGE
WiFi
WiFi
UMTS
UMTS
CDMA
CDMA
IP – based
LTE Core Network
WiMax
WiMax
Wireline
Wireline POTS/
POTS/
xDSL
xDSL ISDN
ISDN
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4. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Future Service and Network Diversity requires Partnerships
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5. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Multi Access Network Service Platforms: From IN to IMS to EPC
IT Impact on Telecoms
Telecom OMA PIOSE, PSA,
Web Service APIs GSMA ONE API
Intelligent Open APIs
Network (IN) OSA/Parlay/JAIN Parlay X
Open Service APIs
Service Delivery Web 2.0
IN Services Platform (SOA based)
based on SIBs
Network Abstraction
IMS
IN Overlay
IP Multimedia Evolved Packet
Architecture
System (IMS) Core (EPC)
Bearer P Mobile
oI
P l-I
Networks
V
IP Networks
Al IP Networks
PSTN IP NGN NGMN
DSL Cable LTE WIMAX
GSM UMTS WLAN WLAN
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6. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Concept Reuse: From IMS for NGN to EPC for mobile all-IP networks
IMS
TISPAN PES NGMN
Any Application Platform
IPTV
NGN ICS MMtel
VCC IPTV VCC
PoC
RCS
ic
Co
n ce
pts
PES RCS Internet
B as
Optional Other
IMS
Basi IMS Application
c Co
QoS, Charging, ncep
ts Platforms
Security
PCC
Evolved
Fixed Cable
Packet Core
Any IP Network
Mobile
WLAN 4G
3GPP Release 6 2G GPRS 2G 3G LTE/WiMAX
GPRS UMTS
EPC can be seen as a more generalized „lightweight IMS“,
Providng security, QoS, Charging, plus Mobility Management
for any IP based protocol (HTTP, SIP, P2P, …) 3GPP Release 8
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7. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Evolved Packet Core (EPC)
EPC is part of the 3GPP Evolved Packet System (EPS)
The EPC is a multi-access core network based on the Internet Protocol (IP) one
common packet core network for both
– trusted networks including
3GPP Access (LTE-E-UTRAN, UMTS-UTRAN, GPRS-GERAN)
Non 3GPP Access (WIMAX, CDMA2000/HRPD)
– and untrusted networks including IMS Internet
Non-3GPP Access (WLAN)
EPC provides connection to IP service domains
– IMS Evolved
– Internet (or others, e.g. P2P etc.) Packet Core
Important EPC functions include:
3GPP
– NAS and security (AAA) Non 3GPP
– mobility and connectivity management Access
Access
– policy QoS control and charging (PCC) e.g. LTE
trusted trusted / untrusted
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8. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
3GPP Evolved Packet Core Mobile Broadband
Network Diversity
Any Application Platform
Voice & SMS Community Cloud
RCS Services Computing
IPTV M2M
Telecom Communication
Services Internet Vehicular
Access Network Diversity
- Access Network Flexibility
- Security
- QoS & Charging
- Mobility Management
Evolved
- Application Function Flexibility
Fixed Packet Core
Any IP Network
LTE/LTE-A
WLAN WiMAX
2G 3G
GPRS UMTS
EPC provides a subscriber based smart IP pipe
to the mobile devices including security, QoS, charging +
Transparent Mobility Management
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9. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
EPC Capabilities = Seamless IP Connectivity (= ABC)
The EPC allows multiple access networks to be connected in a controlled way (secure,
QoS, seamless) to either
– the operator IP cloud (e.g. IMS or any intranet)
– the internet or others Clouds
Note that the EPC provides controlled IP connectivity, in regard to
(SaaS)
– User authentication and authorization
– Quality of Service and related Charging
– Mobility Management
Internet
E-UTRAN
HTTP / ??? Packet
UTRANIP Connectivity EPC GW
EP C =
EPC = IP Connec Packet
tivity
WiMAX GW
SIP
User Equipment IMS
may be connected to
several IP service WLAN
domains in parallel
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10. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
IMS is the common control platform within the NGN for many
Application Domains
P/ISDN VOIP, Videoconf.,
Emulation IM, FMC, Presence
IPTV Web 2.0
What about
other IP
Applications
P/ISDN
Emulation
IMS
IP Multimedia Streaming/IPTV
Subsystem Subystem VoIP/Skype
Converged
Subsystem supports all
NGN
(all-IP) Evolved Best
Packet Core effort
Reusable Transport Internet
Support Systems
PSTN
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11. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
ANDSF Positioning within full EPC Architecture
Operator
ANDSF HSS IP Services
MME
(e.g. IMS)
PCRF
Internet
GERAN
Serving PDN
SGSN
GW GW
UTRAN AAA
eNB Access
GW
E-UTRAN WLAN ePDG
Trusted 3GPP / non-3GPP Access WLAN
Untusted
non-3GPP Access
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12. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
3GPP Evolved Packet Core in a Nutshell
Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF)
Separated data and control planes
Gateways
– Enforce decisions on the data path
– Maintain transparent the mobility
Control entities – PCRF & MME
– Policy based decisions
– Authentication & Access Control
– Resource reservation (QoS)
HSS – the subscriber database
ANDSF – the novel entity for access
network discovery and selection
– Provides indications to the mobile device
Information is transferred as XML data
– Application level communication to the mobile devices
OMA Device Management over HTTP over TLS or other
– No other connections to the network provider functions
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13. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Beyond ANDSF
Extensions and Further Development
ANDSF is in an initial stage of standardization
– Only the minimal interface to the mobile device is defined
– Limited definition on how the ANDSF should work internally
– No connection to other entities
Relies only on its own information for the decisions
– Limited dynamic operations
Extensions proposed:
– Subscription based ANDSF
– Dynamic Access Network Discovery Information
– ANDSF as Location Enabler
– ANDSF for Femtocells Discovery and Selection
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14. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Beyond ANDSF (II)
Decisions based on Subscription Profiles
Efficient processing oriented towards the users and their devices
– Selection based on the access networks to which the user is allowed to
connect to
– Selection based on the device capabilities
ANDSF is a OMA DM enabled component
Reducing the information exchanged over the wireless link
Reducing the required processing in the mobile device
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15. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Beyond ANDSF (III)
Dynamic Discovery
Independence of operator provisioned accesses
– Over-The-Top enabler for the Always Best Connected scenario
– Access Failover immediate processing
– No administrative operations requested
Mobile Devices feed the Coverage Map with information on vicinity accesses
The dynamic discovery information is transferred back to the mobile devices
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16. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Beyond ANDSF (IV)
ANSDF as Location Enabler
Support from the Always-Best-Connected enabler towards the services
– Mobile devices transfer to ANDSF location information
ANDSF can provide this information to services
– Single location mechanism
– Communication of ANDS requirements towards the ANDSF
– Independence from the network operators may be obtained
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17. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Beyond ANDSF (V)
Femtocell Discovery and Selection
Femtocells are small area cells of a wide area technology (i.e. UMTS, LTE etc.)
– Designed to extend the available throughput in specific areas – at home premises
In initial stages femtocells will be deployed only at the user premises
Discovery and selection of femto-accesses is similar to the WiFi discovery and
selection
Limited coverage
Limited users – only the house-hold users
Fast loss of signal
ANDSF provides the means to integrate femto-accesses for network discovery and
selection
– Integration with the wide area network increases the overhead of processing
The femtocells are not available for all the users!
– For the ANDSF, the access network selection is similar to the inter-technology
selections
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18. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Fraunhofer FOKUS Realization - OpenEPC
The research platform for Future Mobile Communication
OpenEPC research toolkit includes the main functionality of the 3GPP Evolved Packet Core
(Release 9):
– High performance
– Adaptable to different deployments
– Extensible to specific reseach needs
OpenEPC can be used for R&D in the fields of:
– QoS, Mobility, Security, Mobile Applications
OpenEPC Rel. 1 enables:
– Subscription based procedures for:
Always Best Connected scenario
Resource Reservation
– Mobility Support
– Mobile device integration
– Integration with specific applications
More information: www.OpenEPC.net
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19. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Fraunhofer FOKUS Realization – OpenEPC (II)
OpenEPC ANDSF
ANDSF contains the following functions:
– Coverage Map – information on the access networks available
– Subscriber Info – maintains information on the subscribers using the NDS service
– Sh Interface – retrieves subscription profile from the HSS
– S14 Server – retrieves requests from the mobile devices
– Dynamic Policy Generator – a policy engine generating specific policies based on the
triggers and on the information received from the other entities
Mobile Device Extension: small application
– ANDS Repository – maintains the information received from ANDSF
– Device Interface Controller – connection to the device interfaces
– S14 Client – interface of communication with the ANDSF
– ANDS Logic – processing logic for the policies
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20. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Fraunhofer FOKUS Realization – OpenEPC (III)
OpenEPC ANDSF Evaluation Scenario
Operators are able to balance subscribers between access networks
The best access network is selected for the current requirements of the mobile devices
1. New policies have to be pushed to the mobile device
– ANDSF policy engine takes the decision based on:
Subscriber information
Location changed (received from the mobile device)
Coverage Map changes
Administrative (through the admin console)
2. OMA DM Push mode communication
3. Policy evaluation in the mobile device
4. A handover is triggered
The procedure is independent of the actual
communication (such as a different application)
no high time constraints are considered
no influence on the seamless handovers
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21. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
OpenEPC
R&D Topics
Goal is to cover the entire technology spectrum for communication for
vertically integrated research in the area of future mobile seamless
communication from mobile devices to applications
Network Support for Future Mobile Applications
Mobile Cloud Computing
Remote management of smart home environment
M2M communication / sensor network integration
Ambient Aware Applications /Future Internet Network Enablers
Mobility Management Resource Management & Security
Harmonization of mobility layers
Convergence for fixed and mobile QoS and AAA topics
Scalability of Next Gen Mobile Networks
Packet classification mechanisms
Multi-access and IP flow mobility
Evolution of PCC & QoS support for all-IP data services
Traffic steering
Aspects of Femtocell integration to EPC
Optimized Access Network Discovery and Selection
Mobile device support for mobility
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22. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Related Testbed
Future Seamless Communications (FUSECO) Playground
State of the art testbed infrastructure as a
cooperation of Berlin’s Next Generation Mobile
Network expertise for
– EPC from Fraunhofer FOKUS
– LTE-Advanced at the Fraunhofer HHI
– WLAN Networks at the Berlin Open Wireless
Network from the Dt. Telekom Labs @ TU Berlin
Enabling to prototype application support for
– handover optimization across heterogeneous
networks
– support for Always Best Connected (ABC)
– subscriber profile based service personalization
– QoS provisioning and related charging
– controlled access to IMS based services
– controlled access to Internet/Mobile Clouds
More information: www.fuseco-playground.org
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23. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Conclusions
Access Network Discovery and Selection is an open research issue for future mass
mobile broadband communication
A set of extension concepts can be considered as to optimize the usage of the network
– Subscriber information based decisions
– Dynamic discovery
– Location enabler for applications for ANDSF
– Femto-access discovery and selection
Fraunhofer FOKUS OpenEPC toolkit enables the research in the area of mass mobile
broadband communication
– Includes access network discovery and selection functionality
OpenEPC ANDSF contains the 3GPP standard features + the Subscriber information
based decisions
– OpenEPC ANDSF is the foundation for further research in the area of access
network discovery and selection
OpenEPC ANDSF was evaluated through an Always Best Connected scenario
– No implications on the active communication of the mobile devices was perceived
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24. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Coming up
1st FOKUS FUSECO Forum Right after ICIN in Berlin
„Business and Technical Challenges of Seamless Service Provision in
Converging Next Generation Fixed and Mobile Networks"
Follow up of famous FOKUS IMS Workshop Series
Event date: October 14-15, 2010
– Day One: LTE and EPC Tutorials and FUSECO Playground Demos
– Day Two: Interactive Workshop with Operator Talks and Vendor Panel
More at: www.FUSECO-Forum.org
24 Sponsorship Options are still available!

25. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Coming up
IEEE Globecom FUSECO Workshop
Follow up of Globecom 2009 NGMN/EPC Business Developing Forum
Paper Submission due: July 2, 2010
Conference date: December 10, 2010
More at www.FUSECO-workshop.org
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26. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Questions ???
www.OpenEPC.net www.FUSECO-Playground.org
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27. Competence Center NGNI Fraunhofer FOKUS
Recent Publications
Corici M., Magedanz T., Vingarzan D., Weik P., „Enabling Ambient Aware Service Delivery in Heterogeneous Wireless
Environments”, IEEE Globecom 2010 - Communications Software, Services and Multimedia Applications Symposium
- Next Generation Services and Service Platforms, 6-10 Dec. 2010, Miami, USA, accepted for publication
Corici M., Magedanz T., Vingarzan D., Pampu C., Zhou Q., „Access Network Reselection based on Momentary
Resources in a Converged Wireless Environment”, IEEE Globecom 2010 - Next Generation Networking Symposium -
IEEE Globecom 2010 - Next Generation Networking Symposium, 6-10 Dec. 2010, Miami, USA, accepted for
publication
Corici M., Magedanz T., Vingarzan D., Weik P., „Prototyping Mobile Broadband Applications with the Open Evolved
Packet Core”, 2010 14th International Conference on Intelligence in Next Generation Networks (ICIN) - Weaving
Applications into the Network Fabric, 11-14 Oct. 2010, Berlin, Germany, accepted for publication
Corici M., Magedanz T., Vingarzan D., Pampu C., Zhou Q., "Proactive Vertical Handover Optimizations in the 3GPP
Evolved Packet Core”, Second International ICST Conference on Mobile Networks and Management, 22-24 Sep.
2010, Santander, Spain, accepted for publication
Corici M., Magedanz T., Vingarzan D., „ 3GPP Evolved Packet Core – the Next Generation Mobile Networks all-IP
architecture”, World Telecommunications Congress 2010, Vienna, Austria, accepted for publication
Corici M., Fiedler J., Magedanz T., Vingarzan D., „ Access Network Discovery and Selection in the Next Generation
Mobile Networks Environment”, in Proceedings of Mobilware 2010, The Third International ICST Conference on
MOBILe Wireless MiddleWARE, Operating Systems, and Applications, Chicago, USA.
Corici M., Gouveia F., Magedanz T., Vingarzan D., “OpenEPC: A Technical Infrastructure for Early Prototyping of Next
Generation Mobile Network Testbeds”, in Proceedings of TRIDENTCOM 2010, 6th International Conference on
Testbeds and Research Infrastructures for the Development of Networks and Communities, Berlin, Germany.
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