Optimizing 5G Networks Processes With Software-Defined Networks

The growing number of devices connected to the Internet has required advances in wireless communication technologies. 4G networks are gradually being replaced by 5G, which proposes greater speeds, heterogeneity, and scalability. The fifth-generation also provides broad support for software-defined network (SDN) applications, which increase programming flexibility of pro- tocols and processes that were previously embedded and difficult to modify in network devices.

This work aims to improve processes in 5G networks by using software-defines networks. SDN applications can achieve improvements in mobility, load distribution, and cost reductions. Through mathematical models, our work focuses on optimizing the allocation of users in base stations of telecommunication networks, in minimizing the handover of users between base sta- tions, and in the optimization of communication costs between base stations and data centers.

The contributions of this work are: i) An exact mathematical model for allocating users of mobile networks at base stations, combined with the reduction of handover and communication costs between base stations and data centers; ii) A metaheuristic solution as an alternative to the exact model, since exact models can prove to be non-scalable, and present unfeasible solving times under computationally restricted conditions; iii) A simulation of the solutions in SDN environments, to analyze the impact of the models on transfer rates, load distribution, and other relevant network aspects; iv) An evaluation of the models for different mobility scenarios.

Our preliminary result is the exact mathematical model for allocating users to base stations, which is combined in a model of reduced handover and communication costs between base stations and data centers. We verified the allocation of a device along a 13.7 km trajectory col- lected through GPS data. The allocation respected constraints on distance, average handover, and availability of bandwidth for users and base stations.

The next steps in the work consist of implementing improvements to the model and imple- menting a heuristic solution as an alternative. After verifying the correctness of the solutions, we will proceed to the network simulation stages. Subsequently, we will consider different mobility models simulations.

Process Optimization, Handover, Software-Defined Networking, 5G networks.