Business from technology

Converging networks

Competence

VTT is developing converging network technology and solutions that enable seamless interworking of the different wireless and wireline networks. We have expertise in communication protocols, radio interfaces, transport techniques, switching and routing, quality of service (QoS), network management and mobility management. Network architectures, including ad hoc and sensor networks, are part of our competence area. Wireless networking research utilises the Converging Networks Laboratory (CNL) in the developing and testing of WiFi, WiMax, 3GPP and LTE-related equipment. Wireline networking research is supported by an Ethernet test network, used for the testing and evaluation of the latest IETF/ITU-T and IEEE Carrier Ethernet concepts.

Challenges

While requirements for mobility are increasing, demand for multimedia services is growing. To meet the need for higher data rates, new wireless networking concepts are emerging and terminals should implement multiple radio interfaces. Connections to multiple networks entail the interoperability of the accessed networks. When a terminal jumps from one network to another, established connections and QoS should be maintained. This requires, for example, the elimination of radio channel interference and interoperable connection procedures, transport concepts and data synchronization mechanisms. A degraded service level may violate service level agreements (SLA), leading to loss of revenue for operators.

Solutions

• QoS and SLA test and measurement tools
  
• synchronization methods for packet networks
  
• Ethernet-based mobile backhaul
  
• control and management of Carrier Ethernet and MPLS networks
  
• mobility management on layer 2 and 3
  
• QoS aware transport solutions, e.g. to support HD-quality IPTV
  
• sensor-based surveillance platform
  
• radio propagation models to eliminate interference
  
• methods for maintaining connectivity and QoS
  
• energy-efficient sensor network platforms
  
• media-independent handover IEEE 802.21 implementations
  
• network-level cross-layer methods for multimedia and scalable video
  

Benefits

• lower cost transport technologies for packet networks
  
• enhanced network performance to support different QoS levels
  
• interoperability between diverse networks
  
• enhanced mobility of terminals
  

References and merits

• Carrier Ethernet transport solution for LTE backhaul
  
• Qosmet and MOSET tools for measuring QoS of networking applications
  
• Satellite test systems for SOHO, Cluster, Herschel and Planck satellites
  
• Triggering management mechanism (TRG) for vertical handovers and mobility management
  
• Session handover solution for multimedia streaming