Ambient Networks: A Framework for Future Wireless Internetworking

Abstract

An increasingly wireless world faces new challenges due to the dynamicity of interactions, range of applications, multitude of available radio access technologies and network functionality. The ambient networks project recognizes these trends and enables the creation of innovative network solutions for mobile and wireless systems beyond 3G. These networks enables scalable and affordable wireless networking while providing pervasive, rich and easy-to-use communication. A specific focus lies on enabling advanced capabilities in environments with increased competition as well as cooperation, environments that are populated by a multitude of user devices, wireless technologies, network operators and business actors. The project adopts a modular architecture that enables plug-and-play control extensibility that supports a wide range of different applications and network technologies. Based on a small subset of common functionality, this approach supports the dynamic deployment of advanced internetworking capabilities, such as media and context-awareness or multi-radio access.