An end-to-end QoS architecture for all-IP 4G mobile networks

Abstract

Fourth Generation (4G) Networks can be defined as the convergence of wired and wireless network technologies and formation of all-IP based integrated system with premium quality and high security. As an integrated system, providing end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) similar to legacy networks has been a challenging issue in such a network. In this thesis, an all-IP next generation wireless network architecture that supports end-to-end QoS is presented. A new packet based Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, which runs on top of Frequency Hopping Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (FH-OFDMA) based physical layer is designed and implemented. The proposed MAC layer is based on one of the promising proposals to IEEE 802.20 by Qualcomm. Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) and DiffServ support of MPLS is utilized at the backbone of the architecture to provide end-to-end QoS. By integrating Internet Protocol (IP) Layer QoS parameters to proposed packet-based air interface, end-to-end QoS including the air interface is provided. Two new nodes, Wireless Access Router (WAR) and Mobile Node (MN), which implement the new MAC layer, are introduced. WAR is integrated to the backbone via standard Label Edge Router (LER) of MPLS architecture. The architecture is implemented with OPNET Modeler simulation tool to analyze the QoS perception of MNs within the architecture.|Keywords: All IP networks, Mobile networks, Wireless networks, QoS, OFDM