T3: End-to-End Reconfigurability

Didier Bourse, Karim El-Khazen, Klaus Moessner, Nancy Alonistioti, Jorg Brakensiek, Tim Hentschel
End-to-End Reconfigurability

Abstract

This tutorial provides an overview of research activities on end-to-end reconfigurability that aim at bringing the full benefits of the valuable diversity within the radio eco-space, composed of a wide range of systems such as cellular, wireless local area and broadcast. The objective of end-to-end reconfigurability is to devise, develop and trial architectural design of reconfigurable devices and supporting system functions to offer an expanded set of operational choices to the users, applications and service providers, operators, regulators in the context of heterogeneous mobile radio systems.

The tutorial starts with the origins of the Software Define Radio (SDR) concept, depicting an overview of the activities on SDR and Reconfigurability, as well as presenting the Cognitive Radio concept, the XG program and the E2R European research project. The tutorial presents also the visions of the different actors on the End-to-End Reconfigurability and details the enabling technologies (technological roadmaps, equipment management and control, RF architectures, reconfigurable baseband architecture…). The system aspects of the End-to-End Reconfigurability are introduced, focusing on the architectures, the network support, the Radio Resource Management and Spectrum Allocation aspects, the software download mechanisms and the security issues. The tutorial concludes with perspectives of future research works. A specific focus is also provided on rapid prototyping for reconfigurable solutions.

Intended Audience

Managers, engineers, scientists, and graduate students who want to understand what are the challenges to be fulfilled for achieving end-to-end reconfigurability, what are the enabling technologies that are available, and which are the system aspects that are being investigated.

Motivation and Objectives

Several key challenges are identified for End-to-End Reconfigurability such as transforming embedded flexibility into end-to-end reconfigurability, capturing the newly enabled functionalities into sizeable benefits and finding right balance between integrated versus distributed approaches. This tutorial will give to the participants a detailed overview of the end-to-end reconfigurability research work, depicting the origins, visions, enabling technologies, and system aspects.

Outline

Half-day tutorial (4 hours)

Agenda

1. From Software Defined Radio to End-to-End Reconfigurability
   • SDR Origins, Concepts and Principles
   • Overview of EU Research in Reconfigurable Radio
   • Beyond 3G, Reconfigurability, SDR, CR, XG and E2R
   • E2R in a Nutshell
     
2. Stakeholders Perspectives in End-to-End Reconfigurability
   • System Scenarios and Actors
   • System Requirements
   • Business Models and System Architecture
   • Regulatory Perspectives
     
3. E2R Research on Network, Equipment and Resources Management and Control
   • Equipment Management and Control
   • Network Support for Reconfiguration
   • Advanced Radio Resource and Spectrum Management
   • Evolutionary Prototyping Environment
     
4. Reconfigurability and Rapid Prototyping
   • Introduction to Rapid Prototyping and State-of-the-Art
   • Signalion Business Case and future Developments
     
5. Key Challenges to enable the Seamless Experience
   • Reconfigurability Time Frames
   • Next Research Steps