Access Network Research Articles

Inverse Coupled Simulated Annealing for Enhanced OSPF Convergence in IoT Networks

The current Internet of Things (IoT) network structure is evolving from small-scale distributed systems to a large-scale hierarchical collaboration between backbone and access networks. In this context, the dynamic changes in backbone node connections and the surge in service demands, coupled with sluggish fault detection speeds, significantly shorten effective service transmission time. To address this issue, this paper proposes an inverse coupled simulated annealing for enhanced OSPF route convergence in IoT networks (OSPF-ICSA). Initially, the link state is derived from the statistical characteristics of Hello packets, while the aggregated characteristics of the link state are employed to characterize the node state, providing data support for the reverse coupled simulated annealing algorithm. Subsequently, the Hello packet is refined, and a mechanism is designed to synchronize OSPF intervals and transmit node states. This ensures that nodes within the same subnet synchronize their sending intervals and fault detection times while sharing their node states. Finally, building upon this foundation, the reverse coupled simulated annealing algorithm is introduced to jointly optimize the Hello packet sending interval and fault detection time. Compared to the traditional AODV protocol, OSPF-ICSA reduces the average fault detection time by over 37.38%, improves the average fault detection accuracy by more than 3.1%, decreases the average routing overhead by over 20%, and increases the average packet delivery rate by over 5.1%.

Architectural views for social robots in public spaces: business, system, and security strategies

This study delineates a suite of architectural views and a security perspective tailored to guide the deployment and integration of Social Robots in Public Spaces (SRPS). It commences with a business context view that utilizes the customer-producer-supplier model, underscoring the value of SRPS to various stakeholders and illustrating how robots can enhance user experiences and drive economic benefits. The system context view details the intricate interactions among the social robot, stakeholders, public spaces, and external systems, highlighting essential considerations for successful deployment, from technical configurations to stakeholder engagement. The functional view elaborates on the operational dynamics of the robot within its environment, focusing on user interaction and data management capabilities. Additionally, the security perspective delves into security considerations vital for safeguarding the SRPS across various domains, including identity and access management, application and network security, and data privacy. The paper also contextualizes these views through a city ferry use case, demonstrating their practical application and reinforcing the importance of multifaceted planning and analysis in real-world settings. This approach provides a strategic framework views for developing SRPS that are viable, efficient, and secure, fostering successful adoption in diverse public environments.

Optimizing Open Radio Access Network Systems with LLAMA V2 for Enhanced Mobile Broadband, Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications, and Massive Machine-Type Communications: A Framework for Efficient Network Slicing and Real-Time Resource Allocation

Optimizing Open Radio Access Network Systems with LLAMA V2 for Enhanced Mobile Broadband, Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications, and Massive Machine-Type Communications: A Framework for Efficient Network Slicing and Real-Time Resource Allocation

Reliability Assessment of Power Distribution Cyber–Physical Systems Considering the Impact of Wireless Access Networks

With the rapid increase in the number of various terminal devices in distribution systems, the important impact of communication networks on power supply reliability in cyber–physical distribution systems (CPDSs) is becoming increasingly prominent. The traditional wired communication method makes it difficult to meet the demand in some scenarios due to high cost and construction difficulty. For this reason, this study evaluated the reliability of power distribution cyber–physical systems, considering fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology wireless access conditions. First, a reliability model of a communication channel in a 5G communication network was established, and the indirect impact of information system failure on the power distribution system was analyzed. Secondly, a reliability assessment method based on the improved least path method was devised by combining switch action failure, self-healing processing, and load transfer. The simulation results show that 5G communication technology has significant advantages in improving system reliability, and the proposed method is closer to the development direction of future power distribution systems, which provides an effective reference basis for the optimized operation of power distribution cyber–physical systems.

Growing Need for Web-Based Simulation in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review

Web-based simulation programs are poised to offer a productive means of delivering asynchronous training in healthcare professionals’ education. Similarly, web-based simulation programs could also sponsor specialty-specific, web-based fellowships for clinicians of low- and middle-income countries. Web-Based Simulation has been utilized for instruction in critical care fields such as emergency medicine and pediatric anesthesia. Studies have shown that enhanced self-reported knowledge and confidence have been achieved through tele simulation which is in line with in-person simulation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, simulations have helped clinicians hone their use of personal protective equipment and other infection control measures. Additionally, it has helped them in learning new and expanded roles, like processing equipment and assisting infected patients in prone position experiencing respiratory failure. However, web-based simulation programs also have unique challenges that must be satisfied: reliable broadband internet network access, multilingual capability, and programming quality. Studies indicate that cost-effective simulation training can be delivered to learners in remote, low-resource areas worldwide, including South Asia, where access to such education is limited. We aimed to explore the effectiveness, challenges, and strategies for implementing web-based simulation education in low- and middle-income countries, based on a thorough PubMed search focused on web-based simulation programs in medical education.

Concurrent Direct Inter-ONU and Upstream Communications in IMDD PONs Incorporating P2MP Flexible Optical Transceivers and Advanced Passive Remote Nodes

Driven by a large number of emerging diversified services, in the 5G and beyond era, concurrent direct inter-ONU and upstream communications inside a PON-based mobile access network are highly desirable to provide dynamic, ultra-dense, and fast ONU-to-ONU (without involving an OLT) and ONU-to-OLT connections. To cost-effectively deliver highly dynamic and low latency direct inter-ONU communications, this paper proposes and experimentally demonstrates novel concurrent direct inter-ONU and upstream communications in an upstream 27 km, >62.47 Gbit/s IMDD PON. For supporting inter-ONU communications between a large number of ONUs, an advanced passive remote node is also proposed. Based on different passive optical components, this remote node can be implemented using two approaches, which can, respectively, reduce the inter-ONU signal power losses by >12.2 dB and >16.6 dB (for 128 ONUs) in comparison with existing inter-ONU communication techniques’ remote nodes. In each ONU and OLT, a single pair of cascaded IFFT/FFT-based point-to-multipoint (P2MP) flexible optical transceivers are employed to simultaneously and dynamically establish multiple ONU-to-ONU and ONU-to-OLT communications according to actual users’ requirements. Experimental results show that the proposed network has excellent robustness against various transmission system impairments, including chromatic dispersion, the Rayleigh and Brillouin backscattering effects, and the channel interference effects. For each ONU, dynamic channel allocation can be made without compromising its overall performance.

Utilization of Optical OFDM Modulation on Blue LED VLC Datacom Without Equalization for 4 m Wireless Link

To achieve higher visible light communication (VLC) traffic capacity, using the wide bandwidth light-emitting diode (LED) and spectral efficiency modulation signal, is currently the most commonly used method. In this demonstration, we apply the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing quadrature amplitude modulation (OFDM-QAM) with bit- and power-loading algorithm on single blue LED to achieve >1 Gbit/s VLC capacity, when a 400 MHz bandwidth avalanche photodiode (APD)-based receiver (Rx) is exploited for decoding. Here, the higher sensitivity APD can be applied to compensate for the wireless VLC link length in the proposed LED VLC system, and due to the lower LED illumination (255 to 40 lux), is used for the indoor access network after passing the wireless link length of 1 to 4 m. As a result, using single blue LED can achieve 0.962 to 1.057 Gbit/s OFDM rate with available 400 MHz bandwidth APD in poorly illuminated condition indoors without applying analogy equalization.

Planning Public Space Climate Comfortability: A GIS-Based Algorithm for the Compact Cities of the Far North

The issue of forming a comfortable environment in cities with complex climatic conditions has always been an urgent and difficult issue for urban planners. Cities located in the territories of the Far North are characterized by extremely harsh climatic characteristics that affect the planning solutions for the public spaces of the city. Low temperatures and strong winds reduce the time of comfortable stay in the open air, which leads to a decrease in the mobility of the population in the city and stimulates the use of personal cars. The research question is the rational placement of points of interest on the street network to ensure a comfortable travel time between objects. The research methodology of public space planning taking into account the climatic comfortability of Far North cities is proposed in this article. Also, an automated GIS-based algorithm for determining intermediate points on linear objects to increase POIs’ connectivity for the development of the public space of Far North cities under the condition of organizing climatic comfort is proposed. Development of safe and comfortable public space on the basis of network accessibility, taking into account the difficult climatic conditions of these cities, will increase the social activity of the population and tourists, as well as promote economic growth and business development in the city.

Construction and Application of a Private 5G Standalone Medical Network in a Smart Health Environment: Exploratory Practice From China.

To date, the differentiated requirements for network performance in various health care service scenarios-within, outside, and between hospitals-remain a key challenge that restricts the development and implementation of digital medical services. This study aims to construct and implement a private 5G (the 5th generation mobile communication technology) standalone (SA) medical network in a smart health environment to meet the diverse needs of various medical services. Based on an analysis of network differentiation requirements in medical applications, the system architecture and functional positioning of the proposed private 5G SA medical network are designed and implemented. The system architecture includes the development of exclusive and preferential channels for medical use, as well as an ordinary user channel. A 3-layer network function architecture is designed, encompassing resource, control, and intelligent operation layers to facilitate management arrangements and provide network open services. Core technologies, including edge cloud collaboration; service awareness; and slicing of access, bearer, and core networks, are employed in the construction and application of the 5G SA network. The construction of the private 5G SA medical network primarily involves system architecture, standards, and security measures. The system, featuring exclusive, preferential, and common channels, supports a variety of medical applications. Relevant standards are adhered to in order to ensure the interaction and sharing of medical service information. Security is achieved through mechanisms such as authentication, abnormal behavior analysis, and dynamic access control. Three typical medical applications that rely on the 5G network in intrahospital, interhospital, and out-of-hospital scenarios-namely, mobile ward rounds, remote first aid, and remote ultrasound-were conducted. Testing of the 5G-enabled mobile ward rounds showed an average download rate of 790 Mbps and an average upload rate of 91 Mbps. Compared with 4G, the 5G network more effectively meets the diverse requirements of various business applications in prehospital emergency scenarios. For remote ultrasound, the average downlink rate of the 5G network is 4.82 Mbps, and the average uplink rate is 2 Mbps, with an average fluctuation of approximately 8 ms. The bandwidth, performance, and delay of the 5G SA network were also examined and confirmed to be effective. The proposed 5G SA medical network demonstrates strong performance in typical medical applications. Its construction and application could lead to the development of new medical service models and provide valuable references for the further advancement and implementation of 5G networks in other industries, both in China and globally.

Safeguarding IoT networks against DDoS attacks using deep learning based zero trust network access

Safeguarding IoT networks against DDoS attacks using deep learning based zero trust network access

Do affluent neighbourhoods pay more for transit access? Exploring the capitalization of employment accessibility within different housing submarkets in Vancouver

Decades of research indicate that accessibility plays a fundamental role in the urban systems of cities by influencing land markets and household location choices. Accessibility is also often positioned as a policy tool in enhancing the well-being of disadvantaged population groups. Considered together, recent research into transportation equity underscores the need to critically investigate the distribution of accessibility with their affordability impacts. To better understand this dynamic, this research assesses variability in the relationship between employment access and house prices within different neighbourhood types in Metro Vancouver. We first calculate network accessibility to employment opportunities. Next, to integrate equity, we use sociodemographic indicators from census data to establish a typology of four neighbourhoods: Affluent, Stable Middle-class, At-Risk Middle-class and Economically-disadvantaged. Finally, using real estate data, we employ spatial econometric models to estimate differences in the capitalization of accessibility in residential property prices across these neighbourhood types. Results suggest that the value of transit access does differ by neighbourhood type in Metro Vancouver. While more affluent neighbourhoods exhibit the highest marginal willingness to pay for accessibility, predicted prices are highest in disadvantaged neighbourhoods due to their higher absolute levels of access. The research offers new insight into how property price effects vary according to different accessibility and sociodemographic contexts, and highlights important implications for both policy and future research.

Measuring Street Quality: A Human-Centered Exploration Based on Multi-Sourced Data and Classical Urban Design Theories

Advancements in analytical tools have facilitated numerous studies on perceived street quality. However, most have focused on limited aspects of street quality, failing to capture a comprehensive perception. This study introduces a quantitative approach to holistically measure street quality by integrating three key dimensions: visual perception, network accessibility, and functional diversity. Using Beijing and Shanghai as case studies, we employed artificial neural networks to analyze street view images and quantify the visual characteristics of streets. Additionally, street network accessibility was assessed through spatial design network analysis, and functional diversity was evaluated using the entropy of points of interest (POIs) data. The evaluation results were combined using the analytic hierarchy process. The reliability and accuracy of this method were validated through further testing. Our approach offers a human-centered, large-scale measurement framework, providing valuable insights for urban street renewal and design.

An Overview of AI Applications in Cybersecurity for IT Management

Background: Cybersecurity serves as a defense mechanism against unauthorized access, theft, information disclosure, and service disruptions for electronic data, networks, and computer systems. Traditional cybersecurity strategies have struggled to counter increasingly sophisticated and automated cyberattacks, necessitating the exploration of advanced solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI). Aim: This research aims to highlight the role of AI technology and systems in enhancing cybersecurity measures, addressing how AI-based solutions can defend against cyber threats and identifying the associated challenges and future research directions. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted, focusing on recent advancements in AI applications for cybersecurity. Key databases and search engines were utilized to gather relevant articles, which were then filtered based on criteria such as language, publication quality, citation count, and accessibility. The collected literature was analyzed to extract insights on AI methods and their uses in cybersecurity. Results: The study found that AI offers several benefits in addressing cybersecurity concerns. AI systems can identify novel and complex cyber threats, handle substantial volumes of security data, and establish baselines for normal network behavior to detect deviations. Various AI techniques, including neural networks, expert systems, intelligent agents, and machine learning, were identified as effective tools in combating cyber threats. AI has demonstrated significant improvements in the detection and prevention of cyberattacks, enhancing overall cybersecurity effectiveness. Findings: While AI enhances cybersecurity capabilities, it also introduces new challenges such as the need for substantial data and resources, managing false alarms, and vulnerability to adversarial attacks. The study underscores the importance of continuous research to develop robust AI systems that can adapt to evolving cyber threats. Future research should focus on addressing the limitations of AI in cybersecurity, including adversarial threats, data integrity, and human-machine collaboration.

ICTS as Tools for Local Development: Santa Elena Province; A View from the SDGs

Introduction: Currently, there are social problems that affect humanity, one of them is the gap between knowledge of ICTs and their application in social networks for access to information in a timely manner in order to contribute to personal and professional development and contribution to the development of the community. The State provides opportunities based on programs, projects and strategies to direct aid and educate the population in the digital age. Objective: The research objective is to determine the way in which ICTs are used as tools for local - community development through the qualitative-quantitative approach to strengthen the development of the Amantes de Sumpa neighborhood in the Province of Santa Elena. Method: The methodological process applied in this topic is descriptive and deductive, as well as the types of documentaries, field; as well as the population that will be stratified in the neighborhood, which was investigated through the survey and the interview with the neighborhood leader. The reliability of the Likert-type instrument was also carried out by calculating Cronbach's Alpha, which was 0.833. Results and conclusions: The people participating in the research stated that it is important to develop care agreements, promote technological services, since access will allow improving the productive activities of entrepreneurs in the Amantes de Sumpa neighborhood, and promote an electronic commerce system that can be installed from public or community institutions in such a way that this serves for the permanent dissemination of the economic activities carried out by the neighborhood sector.

Nexus supplier transparency and supply network accessibility: effects on buyer ESG risk exposure

PurposeThis paper investigates the role of nexus supplier transparency, which involves the collective information disclosure to the public by second-tier nexus suppliers, as an alternative mechanism for mitigating buyer environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk exposure. We also examine buyer supply network accessibility as a moderating factor that facilitates collecting detailed information and undertaking corrective actions accordingly.Design/methodology/approachWe collected a sample of 428 focal buyer firms and their supply networks up to third-tier suppliers. Data were obtained from Bloomberg and RepRisk databases. We identified critical nexus suppliers using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and tested hypotheses using regression analysis.FindingsThe results show that the benefits of nexus supplier transparency, such as reducing buyer ESG risk exposure, differ depending on the type of nexus supplier disclosing information and buyer supply network accessibility. Informational nexus supplier transparency was found to be beneficial. However, the results revealed the double-edged sword of monopolistic nexus supplier transparency, which benefits buyers with higher levels of accessibility but increases risk exposure for buyers with lower accessibility.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates that the transparency of critical second-tier suppliers mitigates buyer ESG risk exposure by providing information about lower tiers in the supply network. Challenging the notion of the focal buyer as the main orchestrator of supply chain initiatives, our alternative perspective opens a new avenue for risk management in multi-tier supply chains.

Disaggregation and virtualization for future access and metro networks [Invited Tutorial

Future access and metro networks are expected to provide advanced broadband services and the evolution of mobile x-haul in a flexible manner. This paper first reviews the progress and challenges of disaggregation and virtualization technologies to meet this expectation with a focus on their application to optical access networks. Next, it describes future access and metro integrated networking in which disaggregation and virtualization technologies will play important roles.

Mandated MVNO access and MNO investment in mobile network markets: evidence from Germany and Spain

Mandated MVNO access and MNO investment in mobile network markets: evidence from Germany and Spain

Cyber attacks on radiological systems

The base of today’s radiological devices are computers and networks. The radiology department has a specific way of working and there are standards such as DICOM for medical image records, PACS for archiving and communication, and HL7 for information exchange in the medical system. As radiology becomes an economically interesting branch, it becomes a target for cyber-attacks. At the same time, radiological systems contain a lot of personal data that are valuable. The reasons for the attacks are often financial gain, political, ideological or personal. The start of an attack can be physical access to radiological devices or network access. DICOM files can be the trigger of an attack. We divide attacks into those that directly affect patients, those that have an indirect impact, and those that affect the infrastructure. Well known types are Denial-Of-Service, malware, cryptographic attacks and making changes of device settings. When defending against cyber-attacks, it is important to secure communication by e-mail and to keep software updated. The IT department of the radiology department should observe accounts of all users and check the authorizations. Networks must have access restrictions according to workplaces and purposes to prevent unwanted access. Web proxy protection restricts access to Internet sites that are potentially dangerous. The basics of the department’s network, such as servers, must be physically secured from access. DICOM files should be encrypted with the most secure algorithms available. In response to cyber-attacks, it is necessary to have standard procedures and such a system must always be on standby. Known attacks on radiological systems are Kwampiris, Petja/NotPetya, Ryuk, Wannacry, Conti group and BianLian.

Continuous-variable quantum passive optical network

To establish a scalable and secure quantum network, a critical milestone is advancing from basic point-to-point quantum key distribution (QKD) systems to the development of inherently multi-user protocols designed to maximize network capacity. Here, we propose a quantum passive optical network (QPON) protocol based on continuous-variable (CV) systems, particularly the quadrature of the coherent state, which enables deterministic, simultaneous, and high-rate secret key generation among all network users. We implement two protocols with different trust levels assigned to the network users and experimentally demonstrate key generation in a quantum access network with 8 users, each with an 11 km span of access link. Depending on the trust assumptions about the users, we reach 1.5 and 2.1 Mbits/s of total network key generation (or 0.4 and 1.0 Mbits/s with finite-size channels estimation). Demonstrating the potential to expand the network’s capacity to accommodate tens of users at a high rate, our CV-QPON protocols open up new possibilities in establishing low-cost, high-rate, and scalable secure quantum access networks serving as a stepping stone towards a quantum internet.

Retraction Note: Optimizing radio access in 5G vehicle networks using novel machine learning-driven resource management

Retraction Note: Optimizing radio access in 5G vehicle networks using novel machine learning-driven resource management