Evolution in wireless systems management concepts: from composite radio environments to reconfigurability

Wireless communications is witnessing the emergence of the composite radio and reconfigurability concepts. The former assumes that different radio networks can be cooperating components in a heterogeneous wireless access infrastructure, through which network providers can more efficiently achieve the required capacity and QoS levels. Reconfigurability enables terminals and network elements to dynamically select and adapt to the most appropriate radio access technologies for handling conditions encountered in specific service area regions and time zones of the day. Both concepts pose new requirements on the management of wireless systems. This article presents a management system, which has been developed for enabling wireless systems to operate in a CR context. Moreover, the article addresses the necessary extensions to the management system for handling the impact of the reconfigurability context.