Publications
You can also find my articles on my Google Scholar profile.
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, combining topology, traffic demand from call detail records, and demographic information throughout a whole country. We investigate how these aspects interact, revealing effects that are normally not captured by smaller-scale or synthetic datasets. In addition to making the resulting dataset available for download, we discuss how our experience can be generalized to other scenarios and case studies.
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 agreement with the MNOs or to invest in deploying their own network infrastructure to serve their demand. The purpose of this paper is to study the factors shaping the agreements between OTTs and MNOs and how these factors impact network planning decisions. Using our model in conjunction with real-world data, we find that service-driven networks are heavily influenced by regulatory decisions, and that cost structures and demand characteristics play non-marginal roles in the definition of service-driven networks.
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 be viewed as a stage in the cognitive cycle. In this paper, we present a framework to model this planning process while taking into account both the ability to share resources and the constraints imposed by competition regulation (the latter quantified using the Herfindahl index). Using real-world demand and deployment data, we find that the ability to share infrastructure essentially moves capacity from rural, sparsely populated areas to urban ones, with significant increases in resource efficiency.
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 frequency (RF) front end and the GPP. This paper describes the development and implementation of a split-functionality architecture for a contention-based carrier sensing MAC, in which some of the functions reside on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and others reside in the GPP. We provide an FPGA-based implementation of a carrier sensing block and develop two versions of a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) MAC protocol based upon this block. We experimentally test the performance of the resulting protocols in a multihop environment in terms of end-to-end throughput and required frame retransmissions. We cross-validate these results with a network simulator with modules modified to reflect the mean and variance of delays measured in components of the real software-defined radio system.
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 configurations between mobile network operators.
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. This delay hinders the implementation of Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols. In Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) based protocols, especially the Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) as well as the subsequent channel access phase are subject to strict temporal constraints. In this paper, we present two strategies that address both issues and aim to enhance the performance and efficiency of CSMA protocols implemented on low-cost SDRs.
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 front-end and the GPP. This paper describes the development and implementation of a split-functionality architecture for a contention-based carrier-sensing MAC, in which some of the functions reside on an FPGA and others reside in the GPP. We experimentally test the performance of the resulting protocols in a multihop environment in terms of end-to-end throughput and required frame retransmissions.
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 equilibrium for efficient carrier component assignment.
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 of intra-flow collisions in multi-hop wireless communications. We experimentally observe a significant improvement in throughput and delay through simple modifications to the MAC protocol, tailoring it to the timing constraints of the USRP1.
