NeTS: Small: LayBack: Layered SDN-Based Backhaul Architecture and Optimization Framework for Small Cells and Beyond

无线网络通常使用特定于技术的组件链将用户连接到整个互联网。这些孤立的网络链限制了不同无线技术之间的资源共享和优化。随之而来的无线互联网接入瓶颈扼杀了我们以智能手机为基础的社会中无数的无线网络应用。对于高速无线互联网接入，跨不同技术(例如，在蜂窝无线和WiFi技术之间)有效地利用和共享无线网络资源变得越来越重要。该项目开发了一种新颖的基于软件定义网络(SDN)的分层回程接入网络架构和新颖的多级优化框架--Layback。Layback将明智地共享多种技术的无线资源，从而从根本上加快无线互联网接入。Layback可以在现有无线网络之上以一种渐进的方式覆盖，因此可以有效地与已安装的网络基础设施一起工作。该项目将通过面向六到八年级的中学生的创新外联活动来支持工程人才管道，这些学生将通过英语语言艺术和体育活动学习网络工程原理。该项目旨在通过Layback架构和优化框架显著提高无线接入网络的灵活性和效率。该项目的智力贡献包括开发Layback无线接入网络体系结构，该体系结构通过基于软件定义网络(SDN)的回程将不同类型的无线接入网络及其网关统一起来。该项目还开发了与Layback架构紧密结合的Layback多阶段优化框架。Layback优化框架结合了Lyapunov漂移加惩罚方法和多层分解。将开发和评估拟议的优化框架，以考虑到后向架构各层的不同运行时间尺度。该项目将研究利用Layback架构和优化框架的特定案例研究，例如信令、多种异类无线技术(LTE和WiFi)的共存以及优化的内容分发。该项目的更广泛影响包括公开分发Layback软件包。该项目还将包括对中学(6-8年级)的推广。将对外展活动进行彻底评估、改进和分发。

Wireless networks typically connect users with a technology-specific chain of components to the Internet at large. These isolated networking chains limit the resource sharing and optimization across different wireless technologies. The resulting bottlenecks in wireless Internet access stifle a myriad of wireless network applications in our smart-phone based society. For high-speed wireless Internet access it is increasingly important to efficiently utilize and share wireless networking resources across different technologies, e.g., between the cellular wireless and WiFi technologies. This project develops LayBack, a novel Software Defined Networking (SDN)-based layered backhaul access network architecture and novel multi-stage optimization framework. LayBack will judiciously share the wireless resources of multiple technologies, thus fundamentally speeding up wireless Internet access. LayBack can be overlaid in an evolutionary manner on top of existing wireless networks and can thus effectively work with the installed network infrastructure. The project will support the engineering talent pipeline through innovative outreach activities to middle school students in grades six through eight, who will learn network engineering principles through English Language Arts and Physical Education activities. This project seeks to significantly improve the flexibility and efficiency of radio access networks through the LayBack architecture and optimization framework. The intellectual merit contributions of this project include the development of the LayBack wireless access network architecture, which unifies heterogeneous radio access networks and their gateways through a Software Defined Networking (SDN)-based backhaul. The project also develops the LayBack multi-stage optimization framework, which is tightly integrated with the LayBack architecture. The LayBack optimization framework combines a Lyapunov drift-plus-penalty approach with multi-layer decomposition. The proposed optimization framework will be developed and evaluated to account for the different operational time-scales of the LayBack architecture layers. The project will examine specific case studies that exploit the LayBack architecture and optimization framework, e.g., signaling, coexistence of multiple heterogeneous wireless technologies (LTE and WiFi), and optimized content distribution. The broader impacts of this project include the public distribution of a LayBack software package. The project will also include outreach to middle schools (grades 6-8). The outreach activities will be thoroughly evaluated, refined, and distributed.