Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Networks Research Articles

Converging Towards Open Radio Access Networks – A Comprehensive Review

Radio Access Networks (RAN) have been an integral part of the cellular mobile communication systems since the deployment of Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) networks and later for the legacy Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks. However, due to increasing demands of the users, throughput, ultra-lower latency, virtualization of the network and to cater the seamless connectivity of millions of wireless devices with the cellular networks, the advent of RAN needs to be brought under consideration. In this paper the traditional RANs are discussed with the necessity for their transition into the Open RAN (ORAN), considering all its essential parameters. The constraints of the legacy RAN architectures are explored with an overview of the RAN intelligent controllers, ORAN and its types. This paper additionally examines the function of artificial intelligence in Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI), enhanched CPRI, and xApps in terms of use cases along with the challenges associated with their deployment. The paper also present challenges and future of ORAN.

Designing a Vertical Handover Algorithm for Security-Constrained Applications

In heterogeneous networks (HetNets), the vertical handover (VHO) is an essential process for mobile users (MUs) aiming to secure ubiquitous connectivity and maintain the highest quality of service (QoS) across various types of radio access technology (RAT), such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), the global system for mobile communication (GSM), and the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS). In the literature, many recent VHO research works have been proposed in which a number of critical issues still arise when performing seamless vertical handover, including VHO packet loss, VHO delay, and VHO throughput. Moreover, the security aspect of triggering VHO has not been carefully considered, particularly when an MU intends to use a payment application. In this paper, we present a comprehensive performance evaluation for a new secure VHO algorithm, taking into account all the above issues, for co-located Wi-Fi and UMTS networks. The simulation results are compared with the media independent handover (MIH) IEEE 802.21 standard, which facilitates the seamless transfer of connection among heterogeneous networks. We show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the MIH standard in terms of VHO delay, VHO packet loss, and VHO throughput in providing uninterrupted connection to security-constrained applications.

A comparative assessment of GSM and UMTS Networks

It is common knowledge that the transition of mobile networks from one generation to another is basically for the improvement in the network’s Quality of Service (QoS). Bearing this in mind, we will assumme that the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) will outperform the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), hence, the motivation to conduct this study in Calabar, Nigeria, for four mobile networks; MTN, Airtel, Globacom and 9mobile. With the aid of a TEMS investigation software installed in a laptop, a measurement campaign was carried out and log files collected, with focus on Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Dropped Call Rate (DCR), Handover Success Rate (HOSR), Call Setup Time (CST), network coverage and network quality. The collected data was analyzed with the aid of a TEMS discovery software. The analyzed data for each Key Performance Indicator (KPI) was compared with the minimum benchmark of the telecommunications regulatory body, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC). Result reveal that there was no outright improvement in the QoS and there was fluctuation in the QoS provided by the network operators. We therefore conclude that the network operators, either did not make accurate planning before installing their base stations or do not optimize their networks frequently and this led to poor QoS in most cases.

Quality of service performances of video and voice transmission in universal mobile telecommunications system network based on OPNET

The universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) has distinct benefits in that it supports a wide range of quality of service (QoS) criteria that users require in order to fulfill their requirements. The transmission of video and audio in real-time applications places a high demand on the cellular network, therefore QoS is a major problem in these applications. The ability to provide QoS in the UMTS backbone network necessitates an active QoS mechanism in order to maintain the necessary level of convenience on UMTS networks. For UMTS networks, investigation models for end-to-end QoS, total transmitted and received data, packet loss, and throughput providing techniques are run and assessed and the simulation results are examined. According to the results, appropriate QoS adaption allows for specific voice and video transmission. Finally, by analyzing existing QoS parameters, the QoS performance of 4G/UMTS networks may be improved.

Performance assessment of VoIP service over different handover mechanisms in UMTS networks

Many researchers have discussed various topics in universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) networks: the process of switching from one cell to another for the subscriber and the impact of the quality of the connection during the transition process, quality of services (QoS), the quality of the uplink and downlink carrier line, the various types of code for the voice transmitted through the Internet, especially the research that discussed voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology as voice travels from cell to cell in mobile networks, depending on the type of delivery. In this paper, a proposed scenario of a UMTS network was implemented to evaluate the multicellular VoIP movement; the proposed UMTS network was simulated using the OPNET 14.5 simulator. The calculation and analysis of the different parameters of the user while moving from one cell to another with different movement speeds considered, the best mean opinion score (MOS) value (3.19) registered for the scenario (soft handover) comparing with another type of handover (3.00).

Handover evaluation of UMTS-WiMAX networks

Recently, data traffic movement through a wireless channel is assisted by suggesting and implementing many mechanisms, to achieve the speedy increasing importunity and popularity of the wireless networks. Various wireless technologies can be copulated to develop a heterogeneous network, which is a candidate towards (4G) networks. OPNET modeler (14.5) is used to design simulation modules of the heterogeneous network. During device connection between the worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) and universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) networks, Performance metrics such as; Jitter end-to-end delay (E-2-E) Throughput is used. The results of the simulation are measured to determine the efficiency of the transfer using WiMAX-UMTS according to the selected metrics. The WiMAX-UMTS has shown valuable improvement in Process Durability, reduction of E-2-E delay, and Jitter. The maximum amount of data transfer and the least amount of delay and Jitter is at 250 sec. Because of the handover operations and data transfer momentum, the worst-case passes in the network when 618 sec is the minimum amount. The efficiency of throughput for WiMAX equal to 0.092666% as for the efficiency of throughput for UMTS equal to 4.633333*10-6 % whereas the E-2-E efficiency a delay equal to 0.5466%.

Optimized architecture for SNOW 3G

SNOW 3G is a synchronous, word-oriented stream cipher used by the 3GPP standards as a confidentiality and integrity algorithms. It is used as first set in long term evolution (LTE) and as a second set in universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) networks. The cipher uses 128-bit key and 128 bit IV to produce 32-bit ciphertext. The paper presents two techniques for performance enhancement. The first technique uses novel CLA architecture to minimize the propagation delay of the 2<sup>32</sup> modulo adders. The second technique uses novel architecture for S-box to minimize the chip area. The presented work uses VHDL language for coding. The same is implemented on the FPGA device Virtex xc5vfx100e manufactured by Xilinx. The presented architecture achieved a maximum frequency of 254.9 MHz and throughput of 7.2235 Gbps.

THE IMPACT OF MOBILE NETWORK SETTINGS ON THE POWER CONSUMPTION OF VEHICLE REMOTE CONTROL UNITS

The article is devoted to the study of the influence of mobile network settings on the energy consumption of electronic car control units. Signal quality and mobile network coverage are also important for both users and automotive devices that use real-time information from the network using cloud technologies to transmit, process and store data. For the quality of service measurements, Communications Regulatory Authority uses just HTTP data transmission (receipt) speed rate values in the operators’ UMTS (3G) networks (as CRA stated in annual report). But speed is not everything as many consumers in the industry are experiencing recently. In addition, improvements now also revolve about reducing the signaling load incurred when a radio bearer is established, modified or released. Another area for improvements is the signaling overhead on the air interface when little data is transferred as it consumes resources and causes battery drain from the mobile phone's point of view. The authors focused on the UMTS (the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) 3G network, which is among the most popular 3G mobile communication technologies. We explore the RRC state machine of large cellular networks which operate in Lithuania. Note that in UMTS network, the centralized core network (CN) is responsible for ensuring switching and routing for the end users traffic. All Network management functions and required databases are also implemented in core network. The core network domain is further divided into sub categories: serving network domain, home network domain and the transit network domain. It consists of two kinds of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Nodes (GSNs), in 3GPP named as Gateway GSN (GGSN) and Serving GSN (SGSN) (Figure 1). SGSN is the central node of the packet switched (PS) domain. It provides for routing functionality and interacts with databases (like Home Location Register (HLR)) and manages many Radio Network Controllers (RNCs). So the authors were researching the RRC machines of Lithuanian cellular operators’ networks. The purpose of those experiments was to identify which network could provide a best user internet browsing experience, best user equipment battery consumption feature and best radio network resource utilization scheme. We can state, that comparing all these partitions, Operator2 has the optimal configuration for user experience, UE device battery consumption and network resource utilization of RRC state machine point of view.

On the Use of Composite Indicators for Mobile Communications Network Management in Smart Sustainable Cities

Beyond 5G networks will be fundamental towards enabling sustainable mobile communication networks. One of the most challenging scenarios will be met in ultra-dense networks that are deployed in densely populated areas. In this particular case, mobile network operators should benefit from new assessment metrics and data science tools to ensure an effective management of their networks. In fact, incorporating architectures allowing a cognitive network management framework could simplify processes and enhance the network’s performance. In this paper, we propose the use of composite indicators based on key performance indicators both as a tool for a cognitive management of mobile communications networks, as well as a metric which could successfully integrate more advanced user-centric measurements. Composite indicators can successfully synthesize and integrate large amounts of data, incorporating in a single index different metrics selected as triggers for autonomous decisions. The paper motivates and describes the use of this methodology, which is applied successfully in other areas with the aim of ranking metrics to simplify complex realities. A use case that is based on a universal mobile telecommunications system network is analyzed, due to technology simplicity and scalability, as well as the availability of key performance indicators. The use case focuses on analyzing the fairness of a network over different coverage areas as a fundamental metric in the operation and management of the networks. To this end, several ranking and visualization strategies are presented, providing examples of how to extract insights from the proposed composite indicator.

Optimized and robust implementation of mobile networks confidentiality and integrity functions

In mobile networks, sensitive information is transmitted over the radio link between the Base Station (BS) and the Mobile Station (MS). Therefore, a security mechanism based on confidentiality and integrity functions is designed to protect the anonymity of users’. More precisely, the confidentiality function was standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to protect users’ data and the integrity function to protect control (signaling) data. However, both functions are based on the same kernel algorithm. For example, the functions used in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network are based on the algorithm, namely the KASUMI block cipher. In this work, we proposed an optimized function that combines the confidentiality and integrity functions in one Running-Block-Cipher and ensures the same functionalities as the basic functions (UMTS F8 and F9 functions). We used an architectural synthesis technique that allows for achieving a significant reduction in the area occupied on the hardware device. The designed architecture was implemented on Xilinx Virtex Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) technology. The synthesis results after a place-and-route and comparison with previous works show the good performance of the proposed architecture in terms of throughput, consumed energy, and occupied hardware logic resources.

Quality of Service in bandwidth adapted hybrid UMTS/WLAN interworking network

Integration of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) result in ubiquitous connection for end users. In the integrated network, ensuring the quality of service to users and enhancing capacity of network are prominent issues. Bandwidth adaptation technique is one of the solutions to overcome these issues. Bandwidth adaptation based on per flow and per class schemes were proposed for loosely coupled interworking network. In this paper, hybrid coupled UMTS and WLAN interworking network is analyzed with bandwidth adaptation based on per flow and per class schemes and the performances have been compared. Simulation result shows that the proposed hybrid coupled interworking network with bandwidth adaptation based on per class scheme performs better with enhanced quality of service and network capacity.

QoS of VOIP Over Broadband Network

The paper discussed the implementation of the use of Voice over Internet Protocol services, which is resulting in the enormous growth of broadband network. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the QoS of VOIP for different broad band networks. Wired, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) networks were implemented in OPNET Modeler The quality is compared using different QoS parameters such as end-to-end delay, Mean Opion Score (MOS), throughput and jitter. The VoIP codes used in the measurements of QoS is G.729A with sampling rate of 8 kbps .The results analyzed and the performance evaluated will give network operators an opportunity to select the codec for better services of VoIP for customer satisfaction.

Headache, tinnitus and hearing loss in the international Cohort Study of Mobile Phone Use and Health (COSMOS) in Sweden and Finland.

BackgroundMobile phone use and exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from it have been associated with symptoms in some studies, but the studies have shortcomings and their findings are inconsistent. We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess the association between amount of mobile phone use at baseline and frequency of headache, tinnitus or hearing loss at 4-year follow-up.MethodsThe participants had mobile phone subscriptions with major mobile phone network operators in Sweden (n = 21 049) and Finland (n = 3120), gave consent for obtaining their mobile phone call data from operator records at baseline, and filled in both baseline and follow-up questionnaires on symptoms, potential confounders and further characteristics of their mobile phone use.ResultsThe participants with the highest decile of recorded call-time (average call-time >276 min per week) at baseline showed a weak, suggestive increased frequency of weekly headaches at 4-year follow-up (adjusted odds ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 0.95–1.34). There was no obvious gradient of weekly headache with increasing call-time (P trend 0.06). The association of headache with call-time was stronger for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network than older Global System for Mobile Telecommunications (GSM) technology, despite the latter involving higher exposure to RF-EMF. Tinnitus and hearing loss showed no association with call-time.ConclusionsPeople using mobile phones most extensively for making or receiving calls at baseline reported weekly headaches slightly more frequently at follow-up than other users, but this finding largely disappeared after adjustment for confounders and was not related to call-time in GSM with higher RF-EMF exposure. Tinnitus and hearing loss were not associated with amount of call-time.

QoS of VOIP Over Broadband Network

The paper discussed the implementation of the use of Voice over Internet Protocol services, which is resulting in the enormous growth of broadband network. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the QoS of VOIP for different broad band networks. Wired, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) networks were implemented in OPNET Modeler The quality is compared using different QoS parameters such as end-to-end delay, Mean Opion Score (MOS), throughput and jitter. The VoIP codes used in the measurements of QoS is G.729A with sampling rate of 8 kbps .The results analyzed and the performance evaluated will give network operators an opportunity to select the codec for better services of VoIP for customer satisfaction.

Performance analysis of integrated WLAN-WiMAX-UMTS networks for multimedia applications

Next Generation Wireless networks (NGWN) are the integration of different types of available wireless networks. These integrated networks will provide seamless connectivity for multimedia user applications. Among various wireless networks, the networks such as Wireless Local Area network (WLAN), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) have their own unique characteristics and support for wide range of multimedia user applications. So, the integration of these networks and their performance analysis in respect of Quality of Service (QoS) is a major concern nowadays. Hence, this paper deals with the integration of WLAN, WiMAX and UMTS networks by considering QoS parameter. Further, the integration of these networks are analyzed with loose coupling and tight coupling architecture along with and without QoS. Furthermore, the performance analysis of the above mentioned integrated network for multimedia applications is also done. The simulation is performed through Opnet simulator.

Formal verification of a radio network random access protocol

SummaryIn this paper, the random access procedure of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network is investigated. We have proposed a model based on communicating timed automata that represents the main functions related to the random access procedure including the user equipment, the base station (node B or BTS), and the channel. Then, we have used computational tree logic formula to specify the proprieties to be verified. The model and the formulas serve as inputs to the model checker, which is used as a verification engine, ie, UPPAAL and SPIN. The formal verification approach shows that the protocol has several drawbacks that may not be detected by simulation.

Mining frequent patterns to identify vertical handover parameters in cellular networks

The heterogeneous environment of cellular networks imposed the need for finding different vertical handover (VHO) mechanisms. VHO algorithms are presented in literature with different input parameters for various services related to different quality of service (QoS) classes (conversational, streaming, interactive and background), such as: cost, available bandwidth (ABW), MT speed, received signal strength (RSS), etc. These parameters are suggested by researchers or experts based on simulation analysis. Furthermore, the concept of identifying the effective parameters for VHO has not been widely studied. For this purpose, we proposed a new approach to extract the effective parameters and their priorities by using data mining (DM). Since voice call service is one of the most sensitive delay services, we collected real log data from servers of two mobile telecom companies in Lebanon, Touch and Alfa for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks. After preprocessing and discretizing the data, the log file was then summarized and the frequent patterns (FP) were extracted. In this research, two new algorithms were designed. The first, is the Data Summarization Algorithm (DaSA) to summarize the preprocessed data. The second, is the Frequent Pattern Calculation Algorithm (FPCA) to find the frequency of the simultaneous occurrence of the obtained parameters.

Practical Performance Analyses of Circuit-Switched Fallback and Voice Over LTE

The Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is a framework for delivering all-IP-based services. Voice via IMS has been defined as a possible solution from Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 5, prior to long-term evolution (LTE). However, the cost and immediate need for IMS services prevented operators from migration to IMS-based services, particularly with the wide presence of circuit-switched (CS) services offered in Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks. CS fallback (CSFB), which was introduced in 3GPP Release 8, enables the support of voice service without IMS. This is the common deployed scenario for many exiting LTE networks. Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is compulsory to offer rich communication services (RCS) via IMS, in addition to improving the performance of the already deployed CSFB voice solution. However, CSFB and VoLTE are still deployed concurrently, where operators can gradually roll out an LTE/IMS system, while still supporting 2G/3G fallback mechanism. It is, therefore, important to benchmark the performance of both solutions, highlight the deployment challenges, and study the impacts on the end-user experience. This paper provides performance analysis, deployment challenges, and comparisons between these voice solutions. This paper presents practical performance analysis, including end-to-end assessment of call setup delay under different radio conditions, main challenges impacting the in-call performance, as well as performance aspects of Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) and its evolution releases.

Near Ground Path Loss Prediction for UMTS 2100 MHz Frequency Band Over Propagating Over a Smooth-Earth Terrain

In this paper, path loss prediction for near ground propagation of third generation (3G)-based Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network signal in the 2100 MHz frequency band over a smooth-earth terrain is presented. Particularly, the attenuation due to diffraction is estimated based on ITU-R Recommendation P.526-13 for diffraction over smooth earth. Furthermore, the total pathloss is determined using the Blomquist empirical model which combined free-space loss, plane-earth loss and the diffraction loss over smooth earth. In the study, two drive tests are conducted for the UMTS 2100 MHz frequency band in suburban area of Uyo. The Blomquist empirical model was tuned with respect to the first drive test pathloss dataset. The results show that with the training data (first drive test data), the untuned Blomquist empirical model has RMSE=10.21344 dB, Prediction Accuracy = 89.92%, minimum Prediction error = 9.02 dB and maximum Prediction error = -34.05 dB. Also, with the training data, the optimized Blomquist empirical model has RMSE=1.625388dB, Prediction Accuracy = 98.48%, minimum Prediction error = 5.34 dB and maximum Prediction error = -5.40 dB. Furthermore, with the cross validation data (second drive test data), the optimized Blomquist empirical model has RMSE=1.831368 dB, Prediction Accuracy = 98.24%, minimum Prediction error = 5.25 dB and maximum Prediction error = -6.15 dB. The results show that for the given terrain under study, the tuned or optimized Blomquist empirical model can effectively predict the pathloss for the UMTS network signal in the 2100 MHz frequency band.

Blind signatures using light variations in CCD sensors as a pattern to avoid identity forging

The implementation of countermeasures to avoid licence abuse is now obligatory, especially with the burgeoning of the Internet. The protocol proposed here is implemented within the session initiation protocol (SIP); this has been selected as the official end‐to‐end signalling protocol for establishing multimedia sessions in the Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems network. This paper introduces blind signatures, enforced with user‐specific and unique data, modelled from CCD sensors to trace users of these online services, thus avoiding licence sharing that gives access to them. Blind signatures are useful in providing anonymity and establishing a way to tag users. The proposed protocol takes advantage of elliptic curve‐based cryptosystems – smaller key sizes and lower computational resources, an interesting issue for session establishment in S‐Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (satellite‐linked networks), where fast and light authentication protocols are a requirement ideal. SIP is a powerful signalling protocol for transmitting media over Internet protocol. Authentication is a vital security requirement for SIP. Hitherto, many authentication schemes have been proposed to enhance SIP security; indeed, the problem of impersonation is one of the topics most discussed. Consequently, a novel authentication and key agreement scheme is proposed for SIP using an elliptic curve cryptosystem. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.