Software-defined networking for service-oriented 5G networks

预计下一代（5G）无线网络将适应机器对机器通信、物联网、车载通信、智能电网等对服务质量要求不同的新兴业务。该网络将整合多种网络资源和技术，以支持高传输速率，并提高移动用户的体验质量。传统的“一刀切”网络架构扩展性差、适应性有限、灵活性不强，无法有效满足不同业务的需求。该研究项目旨在通过利用软件定义网络的概念，为5G系统的敏捷和灵活的网络基础设施调查和开发新的工程解决方案。我们将专注于专用的虚拟分层网络架构，以有效支持未来5G网络中的移动通信。特别是，我们将定义虚拟网络拓扑结构，研究如何将虚拟网络体现到物理网络中，以及如何适应数据流量负载的动态变化，并开发新的网络协议，以确保端到端数据传输的服务质量和有效利用网络资源。该项目将产生新的想法和技术，为加拿大用户和电信行业带来重大利益。该研究与企业工业赞助商华为技术有限公司密切合作，预计将为未来信息和通信技术的发展做出重要贡献。六名研究生和三名博士后将与本科生一起开发无线通信网络系统的最新创新，成为加拿大高科技产业劳动力的专家补充。

The next generation (5G) wireless network is expected to accommodate a wide range of emerging services with diverse service quality requirements, such as in machine-to-machine communication, internet of things, vehicular communications, and smart grid. The network will integrate a variety of network resources and technologies to support high transmission rate and to enhance quality of experience to mobile users. The traditional one-size-fits-all network architecture cannot efficiently meet the needs of different services, due to the poor scalability, limited adaptability, and inflexibility. This research project is to investigate and develop new engineering solutions for an agile and flexible networking infrastructure for the 5G systems, by exploiting the concept of software defined networking. We will focus on a dedicated virtually layered network architecture to efficiently support mobile communications in the future 5G network. In particular, we will define virtual network topology, investigate how to embody a virtual network to the physical network and how to adapt to the data traffic load dynamics, and develop novel networking protocols to ensure service quality in end-to-end data transport and to efficiently utilize network resources. The project will generate new ideas and techniques which will provide significant benefits to Canadian users and telecom industry. Pursued in close collaboration with corporate industrial sponsor Huawei Technologies, the research is expected to make important contributions to the development of future information and communication technology. Six graduate students and three postdoctoral fellows, together with undergraduate students, will develop the latest innovations in wireless communication networking systems, emerging as expert additions to the Canadian high technology industry labor force.