A generic framework for heterogeneous wireless network virtualization: Virtual MAC design

Virtualization is a promising technique to solve the ossification of current wireless networks and meet the ever-increasing mobile data volume. This paper analyses the requirements in wireless network virtualization and proposes a generalized virtualization framework to overcome these challenges. A novel VMAC (virtual medium access control) concept is devised to perform resource virtualization and management, and the functionalities of VMAC are presented in detail, including user plane as well as data control plane. Through VMAC, heterogeneous RANs (radio access networks) can be aggregated with a unified protocol stack, packaged in the form of a service, reconfigured to provide end-to-end user services. The paper is concluded by identifying important open issues to be studied in future research.