Wireless Convergence Research Articles

5 G new radio fiber-wireless converged systems by injection locking multi-optical carrier into directly-modulated lasers

The integration of fiber-optical wireless convergence with fifth generation new radio is crucial in building high-performance access networks. This approach not only provides high-transmission-rates but also ensures broad coverage, which is vital for future networks. Here we report fifth generation new radio fiber-wireless converged systems by injection locking multi-optical carrier into directly-modulated lasers. Data rates of 10 Gb/s, 20 Gb/s, and 40 Gb/s are achieved by direct modulation on directly-modulated lasers using 16-quadrature amplitude modulation-orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing signal. Through 25-km single-mode fiber, 1.5-km optical wireless, and 12-/22-/33-m millimeter-wave/sub-terahertz wireless integrated-media, 10-Gb/s/20-GHz, 20-Gb/s/60-GHz, and 40-Gb/s/100-GHz signals are transmitted with acceptably low bit error rates and error vector magnitudes, as well as distinct constellations. The successful transport of fifth generation new radio millimeter-wave and sub-terahertz signals at different carrier frequencies through fiber-wireless convergence demonstrates the potential of the system to meet the evolving requirement of next-generation communications.

Investigation of OFDM-Based HS-PON Using Front-End LiFiSystem for 5G Networks

Fifth-generation (5G) technology has enabled faster communication speeds, lower latency, a broader range of coverage, and greater capacity. This research aims to introduce a bidirectional high-speed passive optical network (HS-PON) for 5G applications and services including mobile computing, cloud computing, and fiber wireless convergence. Using 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation orthogonal frequency division multiplexing techniques, the system transmits uplinks and downlinks with a pair of four wavelengths each. Light fidelity (LiFi) services are provided with blue light-emitting-diode-based technology. With a threshold bit error rate (BER) of 10−3, the results demonstrate reliable transportation over a 100 km fiber at −17 dBm received power and in a maximum LiFi range of 20 m. Furthermore, the system offers symmetric 4 × 50 Gbps transmission rates under the impact of fiber–LiFi channel impairments with maximum irradiance and incidence half-angles of 500. Additionally, at threshold BER, the system provides a detection surface range from 1.5 to 4 cm2. Compared to existing networks, the system also provides a high gain and low noise figure. A number of features make this system an attractive option. These include its high speed, high reach, high split ratio, low cost, easy upgradeability, pay-as-you-grow properties, high reliability, and ability to accommodate a large number of users.

Additively Manufactured Wireless Sensors for Rugged IoT, Structural Health Monitoring, Smart Agriculture and Smart Cities Applications

In this talk, inkjet-/3D-printed antennas, interconnects, ‘smart’ encapsulation and packages, RF electronics, microfluidics and sensors fabricated on glass, PET, paper and other flexible substrates are introduced as a system-level solution for ultra-low-cost mass production of Millimeter-Wave Modules for Communication, Energy Harvesting and Sensing applications. Prof. Tentzeris will touch up the state-of-the-art area of fully-integrated printable broadband wireless modules covering characterization of 3D printed materials up to E-band, novel printable ‘ramp’ interconnects and cavities for IC embedding as well as printable structures for self-diagnostic and anti-counterfeiting packages. The presented approach could potentially set the foundation for the truly convergent wireless sensor ad-hoc networks of the future with enhanced cognitive intelligence and ‘rugged’ packaging. Prof. Tentzeris will discuss issues concerning the power sources of ‘near-perpetual’ RF modules, including flexible miniaturized batteries as well as power-scavenging approaches involving thermal, EM, vibration and solar energy forms. The final step of the presentation will involve examples from shape-changing 4D-printed (origami) packages, reflectarrays and mmW wearable (e.g. biomonitoring) antennas and RF modules. Special attention will be paid on the integration of ultrabroadband (Gb/sec) inkjet-printed nanotechnology-based backscattering communication modules as well as miniaturized printable wireless (e.g.CNT) sensors for Internet of Things (IoT), 5G and smart agriculture/biomonitoring applications. It has to be noted that the talk will review and present challenges for inkjet-printed organic active and nonlinear devices as well as future directions in the area of environmentally-friendly (‘green’) RF electronics and ‘smart-skin’ conformal sensors.

Wireless and Optical Convergent Access Technologies Toward 6G

The sixth generation of mobile communication (6G) systems is recently rising a lot of interest, introducing new futuristic and challenging use cases that will demand much more than just communications to become a reality. Higher throughput, lower latencies, higher number of connections will push the requirement of the future mobile networks to a new level, but also sensing, positioning and imaging will play an important role in the new foreseen use cases. The integration of techniques developed for wireless communications with those conceived for optical links will be essential to provide the infrastructure for the 6G networks. In this context, this paper presents a review on wireless and optical convergent access solutions towards the 6G systems. The manuscript brings the use cases, requirements and enablers for 6G networks including a discussion about the state-of-the-art on THz and sub-THz communications, wireless and optical convergence, visible light communication, integrated and free-space optics, new antenna designs, power-over-fiber deployments and the use of machine learning in the physical layer of future networks. By reviewing the most relevant contributions available in the literature for wireless and optical communications and presenting their main contributions, this paper clearly shows that, more than a technological trend, the convergence of wireless and optical technologies is a fundamental step towards the development of the 6G network infrastructure.

5G NR fiber-FSO-wireless systems with dual-polarization and single-carrier optical modulation schemes (invited)

A fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR) fiber-free-space-optical (FSO)-wireless system with dual-polarization and single”–carrier optical modulation schemes is proposed and realized for the first time. Compared with the single-polarization scheme, adopting the dual-polarization scheme is attractive because it can significantly enhance the transmission capacity of the system. Compared with the multi-carrier optical modulation scheme, using single-carrier optical modulation is attractive because it can effectually suppress the dispersion-induced limitations caused by fiber transmission and distortions produced by beating from multiple optical carries. Through 40-km single-mode fiber, 500-m FSO, and 4-m/3-m/2-m/1-m/0.5-m 5G wireless cascaded-medium, 5G NR millimeter-wave (MMW) and sub-THz signals are transmitted with low bit error rates (<3.8 × 10−3 forward error correction limit) and clear constellations in x- and y-polarizations. This newly-built 5G NR fiber-FSO-wireless system shows promise to enable 5G NR evolution toward MMW and sub-THz bands, which has a substantial impact on the convergence of fiber optics, optical wireless, and 5G wireless communications.

A W-Band Communication and Sensing Convergence System Enabled by Single OFDM Waveform.

Convergence of communication and sensing is highly desirable for future wireless systems. This paper presents a converged millimeter-wave system using a single orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform and proposes a novel method, based on the zero-delay shift for the received echoes, to extend the sensing range beyond the cyclic prefix interval (CPI). Both simulation and proof-of-concept experiments evaluate the performance of the proposed system at 97 GHz. The experiment uses a W-band heterodyne structure to transmit/receive an OFDM waveform featuring 3.9 GHz bandwidth with quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM). The proposed approach successfully achieves a range resolution of 0.042 m and a speed resolution of 0.79 m/s with an extended range, which agree well with the simulation. Meanwhile, based on the same OFDM waveform, it also achieves a bit-error-rate (BER) , below the forward error-correction threshold. Our proposed system is expected to be a significant step forward for future wireless convergence applications.

Value Creation and Capture From Technology Innovation in the 6G Era

In the sixth generation of mobile communication networks (6G) era, in which the convergence of wireless and Internet technologies will drive the digital economy and automation across industries, the focus of innovation will shift from individual technology or products towards innovation within platforms and ecosystems. This paper provides a comprehensive categorised survey of the 6G business literature and the current state of mobile communication intellectual property value creation across the system architecture layers. The key emerging and enabling technologies of the 6G networks are positioned as applicable to areas of value creation and capture, and an outline of the proposed transformation of technology innovation by considering the 6G system architecture layers is provided. Unlike the existing 6G literature focusing on visions, use cases, KPI requirements, and KVI drivers, this study will extend the discussion to the value-creation-and-capture problem of technology innovators. The role of complementary assets, technology policy, standardisation, and intellectual property in 6G is analysed by profiting from innovation lenses. To gain the full potential and capture value from technology innovation in 6G, it is essential that regulators protect the intellectual property contributions to incentive R&D investments by the developers of open, collaborative enabling technologies. The paper further assesses the business model evolution from the 4G engineering platform to modular 5G and 6G, stemming from ecosystems and open value configurations. The results of the technology value analysis show the emerging 6G business to be an oblique hybrid of vertical and horizontal business models and characterise the future 6G networks as a general-purpose technology.

High-load reliable transmission method for wireless network hybrid sink node data

Data transmission of a hybrid sink node in a wireless network is susceptible to multipath interference, which results in poor output reliability. Therefore, a high-route reliable transmission method of data onto a hybrid sink node in a wireless network is proposed. A channel model is constructed, and a multi-channel cascade matched filtering method is used to suppress data transmission interference. The spatial spectrum feature is extracted and the spectrum beam method is used to control the data transmission load gain. Adopt spatial link equalisation configuration to control channel adaptive equalisation. The channel spread spectrum model is established to complete the high-route reliable transmission optimisation of the data of the wireless convergence node. Simulation results show that this method can provide a higher load for node data, high reliability, and low output error rate, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

Cache-Based Popular Services Pushing on High-Speed Train by Using Converged Broadcasting and Cellular Networks

This paper presents a cache-based popular services pushing solution on high-speed train (HST) by using converged wireless broadcasting and cellular networks. Pushing and caching popular services on the HST to improve the capacity of the network is a very efficient way; and it can also bring a better user experience. The most popular services are transmitted and cached on the vehicle relay station of the train ahead the departure time in the proposed model. Then, the most popular services are broadcasted and cached on the User Equipment after all the passengers are on the train; the less popular services are delivered to the passengers by P2P mode through the relayed cellular network on the train. Specifically, we firstly use the dynamic programming algorithm to maximize the network capacity in limited pushing time, which can be converted to the 0–1 Knapsack problem. Furthermore, we propose three greedy algorithms to approximate the optimal solution on account of the high time complexity of dynamic programming when the input scale gets bigger. And simulation results show that the proposed popularity-based greedy algorithm performs well. Moreover, as the passengers may get on and off the HST when arriving at an intermediate station, a services rebroadcast algorithm is employed when more intermediate stations are considered. U-shaped distribution is adopted to indicate the number of passengers getting on and off the train. Simulations also show that the proposed rebroadcast algorithm can efficiently improve the capacity of the converged networks.

A PDM-based bi-directional fibre-FSO integration with two RSOAs scheme

A polarization-division-multiplexing (PDM)-based bi-directional fibre-free-space optical (FSO) integration with two reflective semiconductor optical amplifiers (RSOAs) scheme to efficiently wipe off the modulated data for upstream modulation is proposed and successfully demonstrated. For downstream modulation, a high-speed 128 Gb/s vestigial sideband (VSB)-four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) fibre-FSO integration is feasibly established. The transmission capacity is increased up to four times through PDM operation and VSB-PAM4 modulation. For uplink transmission, a 10 Gb/s non-return-to-zero fibre-FSO integration with two RSOAs scheme to effectually erase the downstream modulated data is practically constructed. The upstream performance exhibits noticeable enhancement by using of two RSOAs scheme to wipe off the modulated data clearly. Such illustrated PDM-based bi-directional 128 Gb/s (downstream)/10 Gb/s (upstream) fibre-FSO integration is shown to be prominent not only due to its enhancement in the convergence of fibre backhaul and optical wireless reach extender but also because of its benefit in bi-directional transmission for affording high transmission capacity with long-reach optical wireless link and improved upstream performance.

Software-defined converged access network with cross-layer intelligent control architecture

Abstract The optical and wireless convergence technology is one of the principal means for the problem of last mile access. The software-defined network (SDN) supported by OpenFlow protocol is a promising centralized control architecture. Combining these two aspects, we propose a software-defined access network control architecture for the optical and wireless convergence technology, and design its functional modules and the overall interaction process. The proposed architecture adopts the idea of hierarchical control, introduces the OpenFlow agent, dynamically decentralizes some of the controller's authorities to the optical line terminal (OLT), and enhances its overall disaster response capability by extending the control depth of the controller to the optical network unit (ONU). The controller obtains relevant information in real time from a global perspective to achieve more comprehensive dynamic and flexible control, which effectively improves the network resource utilization and meets different service requirements of different users.

COVERS-UP: Collaborative Verification of Smart User Profiles for social sustainability of smart cities

Non-dedicated sensing models in smart cities, such as social sensing, aim at recruiting smart users while mobile social platforms’ vulnerability to identity theft attacks introduces the risks of de-incentivizing mobile users against participating and spreading disinformation through social platforms in case of successful identity theft attempts. In this paper, we present a mobile edge-based collaborative solution against identity theft over social platforms by taking advantage of the convergence of social, wireless, and mobile networks in the 5G Era. The collaborative framework delegates detection of a potential identity theft to other smart users who are the connections of the potential victim over a social platform. The collaborating smart users are not involved in semantic analysis but are assigned a subset of the contextual features of the smart user under review. We present thorough performance evaluation by using real social platform data in simulations. The numerical results show that collaboration among smart users can reveal anomalous behavior on the social accounts of other participants with a success ratio at the order of >90%. Furthermore, we show that false positive (FP) decisions can be mitigated while false negatives, which are less severe than FPs, can be reduced down to the order of ≤3%.

Hybrid 5G optical‐wireless SDN‐based networks, challenges and open issues

The fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks are expected to bring higher capacity, higher density of mobile devices, lower battery consumption and improved coverage. 5G entails the convergence of wireless and wired communications in a unified and efficient architecture. Mobile nodes, as defined in fourth-generation era, are transformed in heterogeneous networks to make the front-haul wireless domains flexible and intelligent. This work highlights a set of critical challenges in advancing 5G networks, fuelled by the utilisation of the network function virtualisation, the software defined radio and the software defined networks techniques. Furthermore, a novel conceptual model is presented in terms of control and management planes, where the inner architectural components are introduced in detail.

Design Framework for Optimizing Maintenance Efficiency in OFDMA-PONs Supporting Wireline–Wireless Convergence

Recently, a novel passive optical network (PON) has been proposed based on orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technology. The OFDMAPON provides the opportunity for the convergence of wireline and wireless services. Moreover, virtual subcarrier scheduling can be achieved by virtualization, thus hiding the difference of heterogeneous multiplexing methods in the OFDMA-PON supporting wireline and wireless services. In the multi-segment OFDMA-PON topology, each segment is connected to a distribution fiber. If all distribution fibers are under maintenance simultaneously, the service continuity will be disrupted, thus necessitating an appropriate virtual subcarrier scheduling scheme. In this paper, by migrating the traffic of virtual subcarriers during each maintenance batch, only a partial set of distribution fibers is maintained, leaving the remaining ones to fully support the operation. We formulate the problem aiming to minimize the number of maintenance batches while guaranteeing an acceptable scheduling period. The NPhard problem, feasibility conditions, and lower bound are analyzed. We also design a novel virtual subcarrier scheduling algorithm to solve the problem. Simulations show that the heuristic solution well matches the lower bound with a high convergence ratio of 93%. The optimal scheduling period is also determined.

Experimental Demonstration of SCM-PON Monitoring with Baseband Embedded OTDR

ABSTRACTThe combination of subcarrier multiplexing and passive optical networks can provide an efficient and cost-effective solution for fiber and wireless convergence in access networks. Moreover, to reduce operational expenditures, a reliable monitoring technique should provide in-service evaluation of the physical layer. Here, we perform the experimental demonstration of an SCM-PON system with baseband embedded optical time-domain reflectometer monitoring. Different modulation formats were tested to evaluate the penalty generated by the monitoring system. Based on the long-term evolution downlink test model (E-TM 3.1), our results show negligible power penalty while achieving a ~12-dB dynamic range with 10-m spatial resolution.

High-fidelity angle-modulated analog optical link.

There has long existed a debate over whether analog or digital optical link is more suitable for wireless convergence applications. Digital link achieves the highest fidelity, with the sacrifice of huge bandwidth due to the high resolution of digitization, and large power consumption due to the exhaustive digital data recovery. Analog link avoids these drawbacks, but it inevitably suffers from the SNR degradation. In this paper, we propose the angle modulation for analog optical link, which successfully breaks the SNR ceiling of amplitude modulation, and achieves ultrahigh link fidelity. Using the digital link (CPRI) equivalent bandwidth, angle modulation exhibits around 30-dB SNR advantage over the conventional amplitude modulation. Combined with its high tolerance on link nonlinearity, angle modulation has great potential in the future SNR-hungry analog optical applications.

Survey Smoothly Fiber-Wireless (FiWi) Accessing Wireless Networks: Convergence and Challenges

&lt;p&gt; Traditionally, wireless networks and optical fiber Networks are independent of each other. Wireless networks are designed to meet specific service requirements, while dealing with weak physical transmission, and maximize system resources to ensure cost effectiveness and satisfaction for the end user. In optical fiber networks, on the other hand, search efforts instead concentrated on simple low-cost, future-proofness against inheritance and high services and applications through optical transparency. The ultimate goal of providing access to information when needed, was considered significantly. Whatever form it is required, not only increases the requirement sees technology convergence of wireless and optical networks but also played an important role in future communication networks. Some technical development of wireless access networks-optical and seamless coexistence of both techniques, this paper is a review of the State of the latest developments and advances in optical and wireless communications, major technical challenges to provide flawless communication in fiber- wireless (FiWi) access networks, places of interest important research issues to provide intelligence information, access and transport and the convergence of these networks in the future.&lt;/p&gt;

A New Multiple Service Key Management Scheme for Secure Wireless Mobile Multicast

Addressing key management in mobile multicast communication is currently a booming topic due to the convergence of wireless and mobile technologies. With the proliferation of multiple group based services that are possible to co-exist within a single network, mobile subscribers could subscribe to these services concurrently while ubiquitous. However, the existing group key management (GKM) protocols intend to secure group communication for just a single group service. The GKM approaches involve inefficient use of keys and huge rekeying overheads, hence unsuitable for multiple multicast group environments. In this paper, we propose a novel GKM protocol for multiple multicast groups, called slot based multiple group key management (SMGKM) scheme. SMGKM supports the movement of single and multiple members across a homogeneous or heterogeneous wireless network while participating in multiple group services with minimized rekeying transmission overheads. Unlike conventional GKM protocols, SMGKM protocol can mitigate one-affect-n phenomenon, single point of failure and investment pressure of signaling load caused by rekeying at the core network. Numerical analysis and simulation results of the proposed protocol show significant resource economy in terms of communication bandwidth overhead, storage overheads at the Domain Key Distributor (DKD), mobile receiver and Area Key Distributors while providing intense security.

Security Issues and Challenges in Mobile Computing and M-Commerce

Mobile computing and Mobile Commerce is most popular now a days because of the service offered during the mobility. Mobile computing has become the reality today rather than the luxury.Mobile wireless market is increasing by leaps and bounds. The quality and speeds available in the mobile environment must match the fixed networks if the convergence of the mobile wireless and fixed communication network is to happen in the real sense. The challenge for mobile network lies in providing very large footprint of mobile services with high speed and security. Online transactions using mobile devices must ensure high security for user credentials and it should not be possible for misuse. M-Commerce is the electronic commerce performed using mobile devices. Since user credentials to be kept secret, a high level of security should be ensured

Additively Manufactured Nanotechnology and Origami-Enabled Flexible Microwave Electronics

Inkjet printing on flexible paper and additive manufacturing technologies (AMT) are introduced for the sustainable ultra-low-cost fabrication of flexible radio frequency (RF)/microwave electronics and sensors. This paper covers examples of state-of-the-art integrated wireless sensor modules on paper or flexible polymers and shows numerous inkjet-printed passives, sensors, origami, and microfluidics topologies. It also demonstrates additively manufactured antennas that could potentially set the foundation for the truly convergent wireless sensor ad-hoc networks of the future with enhanced cognitive intelligence and “zero-power” operability through ambient energy harvesting and wireless power transfer. The paper also discusses the major challenges for the realization of inkjet-printed/3-D printed high-complexity flexible modules as well as future directions in the area of environmentally-friendly “Green”) RF electronics and “Smart-House” conformal sensors.