Assembling and Using a Cellular Dataset for Mobile Network Analysis and Planning
P. Di Francesco, F. Malandrino, and L.A. DaSilva. 2018. "Assembling and Using a Cellular Dataset for Mobile Network Analysis and Planning." IEEE Transactions on Big Data 4(4): 614 - 620. doi:10.1109/TBDATA.2017.2734100
In a world of open data and large-scale measurements, it is often feasible to obtain a real-world trace to fit to one’s research problem. Feasible, however, does not imply simple. Taking next-generation cellular network planning as a case study, in this paper we describe a large-scale dataset, co...
Sensitivity Analysis on Service-Driven Network Planning
P. Di Francesco, F. Malandrino, and L.A. DaSilva. 2017. "Sensitivity Analysis on Service-Driven Network Planning." IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking 25(3): 1417 - 1430. doi: 10.1109/TNET.2016.2633417
Service providers are expected to play an increasingly central role in the mobile market and their relationship with the traditional mobile network operators (MNOs) is starting to change. The dilemma faced by over-the-top service-providers (OTTs) is now whether to enter into a service level agree...
A Sharing and Competition Aware Framework for Cellular Network Evolution Planning
P. Di Francesco, F. Malandrino, T. Forde, and L.A. DaSilva. 2018. "A Sharing and Competition Aware Framework for Cellular Network Evolution Planning." IEEE Transactions on Cognitive Communications and Networking 1(4): 464 - 470. doi:10.1109/TCCN.2017.2663060
Mobile network operators are facing the difficult task of significantly increasing capacity to meet projected demand while keeping CAPEX and OPEX down. We argue that infrastructure sharing is a key consideration in operators’ planning of the evolution of their networks, and that such planning can...
Infrastructure and Spectrum Sharing Trade-offs in Mobile Networks
J. Kibiłda, P. Di Francesco, F. Malandrino, and L.A. DaSilva. 2015. "Infrastructure and Spectrum Sharing Trade-offs in Mobile Networks." IEEE DySPAN, Stockholm, Sweden.
This paper investigates the trade-offs between infrastructure sharing and spectrum sharing in mobile networks. Using real-world deployment and demand data, we analyze how different sharing configurations impact network capacity, cost efficiency, and competition among mobile network operators.
A Split MAC Approach for SDR Platforms
P. Di Francesco, S. McGettrick, U.K. Anyanwu, A.B. MacKenzie, and L.A. DaSilva. 2015. "A Split MAC Approach for SDR Platforms." IEEE Transactions on Computers 64(4): 912-924. doi: 10.1109/TC.2014.2308197
Implementation of carrier sensing-based medium access control (MAC) protocols on inexpensive reconfigurable radio platforms has proven challenging due to long and unpredictable delays associated with both signal processing on a general purpose processor (GPP) and the interface between the radio f...
Mobile Network Sharing Between Operators: A Demand Trace-Driven Study
P. Di Francesco, F. Malandrino, and L.A. DaSilva. 2014. "Mobile Network Sharing Between Operators: A Demand Trace-Driven Study." ACM SIGCOMM CSWS, Chicago, IL, pp. 39-44.
We assess, through real-world demand and deployment traces, how sharing can improve the efficiency of present-day cellular networks, especially in rural areas. We examine the main challenges and opportunities of infrastructure sharing and evaluate the potential gains from different sharing config...
Enhancing the Performance of Random Access MAC Protocols for Low-cost SDRs
A. Puschmann, P. Di Francesco, M.A. Kalil, L.A. DaSilva, and A. Mitschele-Thiel. 2013. "Enhancing the Performance of Random Access MAC Protocols for Low-cost SDRs." ACM WiNTECH, Miami, FL.
Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a technology which facilitates experimentation and the practical realization of novel wireless communication systems. Especially low-cost SDRs, however, experience high communication delays due to the connection between the radio hardware and the host computer. Thi...
A Split Architecture for Random Access MAC for SDR Platforms
P. Di Francesco, S. McGettrick, U.K. Anyanwu, J.C. O'Sullivan, A.B. MacKenzie, and L.A. DaSilva. 2013. "A Split Architecture for Random Access MAC for SDR Platforms." CROWNCOM, Washington, DC.
Implementation of carrier-sensing-based medium access control (MAC) protocols on inexpensive reconfigurable radio platforms has proven challenging due to long and unpredictable delays associated with both signal processing on a general purpose processor (GPP) and the interface between the RF fron...
Customized Services over Virtual Wireless Networks: The Path towards Networks without Borders
L.A. DaSilva, J. Kibiłda, P. Di Francesco, T.K. Forde, and L.E. Doyle. 2013. "Customized Services over Virtual Wireless Networks: The Path towards Networks without Borders." Future Network and MobileSummit, Lisbon, Portugal.
Wireless networks of the future will be characterised by heterogeneity of spectrum usage regimes, of resource ownership models, and of radio access technologies. In these networks, resources will be orchestrated to create bespoke virtual networks designed to best meet the needs of specific services.
Dynamic Spectrum Scheduling for Carrier Aggregation: A Game Theoretic Approach
Y. Xiao, Y. Chau, P. Di Francesco, and L.A. DaSilva. 2013. "Dynamic Spectrum Scheduling for Carrier Aggregation: A Game Theoretic Approach." IEEE ICC, Budapest, Hungary, pp. 2672-2676.
This paper addresses the problem of dynamic spectrum scheduling for carrier aggregation in heterogeneous wireless networks using a game-theoretic approach. We formulate the spectrum scheduling problem as a non-cooperative game among base stations and propose an algorithm to reach a Nash equilibri...
Multi-hop MAC Implementations for Affordable SDR Hardware
J.C. O'Sullivan, P. Di Francesco, U.K. Anyanwu, L.A. DaSilva, and A.B. MacKenzie. 2011. "Multi-hop MAC Implementations for Affordable SDR Hardware." IEEE DySPAN, Aachen, Germany, pp. 632-636.
This paper presents the implementation and experimental evaluation of a MAC protocol designed to overcome some of the limitations of affordable and widely-deployed software defined radio hardware. We propose a modified Aloha-based MAC protocol with implicit acknowledgements to mitigate the impact...
