A generic architecture for 'always best connected' UTMS/WLAN mobile networks

The 4G mobile era will be based on a heterogeneous infrastructure comprising different wireless (and wired) systems in a complementary manner, where users will enjoy ubiquitous access to applications in an 'Always Best Connected' (ABC) mode that utilises the most efficient combination of systems available (e.g. UMTS and WLAN). We analyse the 'ABC' concept in an interworked UMTS/WLAN network context and reveal important issues. Next, we identify major requirements of the 'ABC' capacity, point out the limitations of UTMS/WLAN standards and discuss key enabling technologies and research efforts. We develop an application model for 'ABC' and analyse its complexity proving that, in principle, being 'ABC' translates to a family of NP-hard problems. Next, we present the design of an object-oriented UML real-time model for an 'ABC' system and provide preliminary results from simulation scenarios. In conclusion, we summarise the advantages of our 'ABC' model and provide directions for future work.

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