Abstract: Mobile communications beyond 3G will integrate different (but complementary) access technologies into a common platform to deliver value-added services and multimedia content in an optimum way. However, the numerous possible configurations of mobile networks complicated the dynamic deployment of mobile applications. Therefore, research is intensely seeking a service provisioning framework that is technology-independent, supports multiple wireless network technologies, and can interwork high-level service management tasks to network management operations. This paper presents an open value chain paradigm, a model for downloadable applications and a mediating platform for service provisioning in beyond 3G mobile settings. Furthermore, we introduce mechanisms that support a coupled interaction between service deployment and network configuration operations, focusing on the dynamic provisioning of QoS state to data path devices according to the requirements of dynamically downloadable mobile value-added services (VAS). © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

Abstract: The development, delivery and management of mobile services are the subject of many research activities in both the academia and industry. The ultimate goal of these efforts is a dynamic environment that enables the delivery of situation-aware, personalised multimedia services over heterogeneous, ubiquitous infrastructures, commonly termed as systems beyond 3rd generation (3G). Reconfigurability and adaptability are key aspects of the mobile systems beyond 3G. Reconfigurable mobile systems and networks introduce additional requirements and complexity in service adaptation. Moreover, it is widely recognised that services will be increasingly developed by independent third parties, besides mobile operators and equipment vendors. The present contribution complements previous work by the authors, related to mediating service provision platforms and advanced adaptability and profile management frameworks. It introduces mechanisms and middleware that undertake the service adaptation overhead, imposed by the complexity of reconfigurable mobile networks, from application developers and third party service providers. In particular, it enables the introduction of third party policies for adaptation decision. Finally, it facilitates the adaptable application development and service deployment independently from the underlying dynamically reconfigurable communication environment. © 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.

Abstract: Traditionally, end customers have been offered different categories of communication, data and media services (e.g., fixed/mobile voice, fixed/mobile data, broadcasting) through vertically separated, rigidly integrated infrastructures. Major advances in a variety of technological fields, mainly in the area of mobile computing and networking, have created prospects for a fully converged environment, where ubiquitous access to an abundance of value-added services will be offered over a single, as perceived by the users, highly reconfigurable system. This vision can be enabled by the seamless "plugging" of diverse access networks to a high-speed IP backbone; however the path to its realization poses a variety of additional challenges. The required support of complicated business models and service delivery over highly diverse contexts introduces significant complexity to service management and provision. The present contribution presents object-oriented mediating service management platforms as a catalyst for making these demanding tasks feasible, identifies their desired functionality and provides an overview of such a distributed framework that we have designed and prototyped. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the latter is able to be a critical enabler of flexible, adaptable service provision over future heterogeneous networks, while supporting advanced business paradigms.

Abstract: Advances in network architecture, enhancements in signaling protocols, provisioning of end-to-end QoS, worldwide seamless mobility, and flexible service provision are among the major research challenges toward next-generation wireless networks. The integration and interoperability of all these technologies, along with new truly broadband wireless innovations and intelligent user-oriented services will lead toward the so-called 4G wireless networks. In this article we identify the key issues of an innovative transparent IP radio access system that targets 4G networks.

Abstract: The long-term vision of beyond 3G wireless communications describes a mobile service provision environment dramatically different from that of today. Users are expected to raise their demands to a significantly higher level, toward the situation-aware provision of ubiquitous personalized multimedia services. From this perspective, the need is emerging to apply, in a systematic way, adaptability and reconfigurability concepts for service delivery in largely diverse contexts. Generic dynamically extensible adaptation mechanisms that can be employed in a wide variety of situations and are independent of the subject and criteria of adaptation is a significant step in this direction. Moreover, effective profile representation and management becomes an increasingly important issue. In the present article we introduce an advanced adaptability and profile management framework aiming to fulfill these requirements. The proposed system has been designed, implemented, and incorporated in a distributed middleware platform for next-generation mobile service provision.

Abstract: We are concerned with the issues faced by software developers with a certain family of distributed applications; those that connect to and interoperate with a heterogeneous infrastructure, i.e., a large heterogeneous collection of external systems (databases, embedded devices, network equipment, internet servers etc.) using different communication protocols. This product family includes applications such as e-commerce systems, network management applications and Grid-based collaborations. For such applications, implementing the interoperation logic is both challenging and expensive. We discuss the major concerns that contribute to the problem, such as transaction support, security and management, as well as integration with workflow or component frameworks. We propose an architecture and related development methodology, based on generative programming, to reduce implementation complexity, allow for rapid application development, ease deployment and manageability. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2005.

Abstract: 4G wireless and mobile communication networks have the ambition to integrate heterogeneous wireless access network technologies combining mutual advantages and thus offering a variety of services to the users, maximizing their satisfaction on the one hand and maximizing the network and service providers' profits on the other hand. However, this integration is not achievable without challenges. In this paper, we present related system integration requirements and provide a new framework to support the integration of 4G networks and services. This framework uses a policy based networking concept in order to provide the unified control in the oncoming 4G networks and services. We also provide an analysis of the candidate signaling protocols in this framework. Two approaches are described: i) The unified QoS, mobility, and security signaling and ii) the heterogeneous QoS, mobility, and security signaling. In addition, we introduce user, terminal, network and service profiles and management in order to provide a user centric approach and consider different user, terminal, network, and service constraints in order to better adapt the user service as well as the network configuration to these constraints. Finally, we give a short estimation on the composition of exchanged signaling data with respect to the aspired level of integration. ©2004 IEEE.

Abstract: The emerging 4G networks intend to provide a variety of adaptable services to mobile and nomadic users by using integrated heterogeneous network infrastructure. In this paper the commonalities and differences among the various approaches in the integration of 4G systems and services are identified on the basis of an analysis of the research done by well-known international projects. Building on this and other ideas, the requirements for an integrated system and service 4G architecture are defined. Considerations and ideas discussed include AAA functions, network system management, end-to-end QoS negotiation and support, mobility management, adaptability and reconfigurability, support for multiple communication modes, ABC&S, service and access network advertisement, discovery and association, wireless billboard channel, and security and privacy challenges. © 2004 IEEE.

Abstract: Global developments in wireless communications have shaped a novel, user-centric vision for the next generation of mobile systems and wireless access network broadly termed "4G". This widely accepted vision sketches a heterogeneous infrastructure comprising different wireless access systems in a complementary manner, where the user, supported by his/her personal intelligent agent(s), enjoys untethered connectivity and ubiquitous access to applications, value-added services and multimedia content over the most efficient combination of wireless and wireline systems available. We proceed to analyze the implications of this "Always Best Connected" vision to identify pivotal concepts and formulate an appropriate model. Furthermore, we proceed to analyze the complexity of our proposed model by showing that, in principle, being "Always Best Connected" translates to family of problems that are known to be NP-hard.

Abstract: The evolution of 3rd generation mobile systems introduces a new era in advanced multimedia service provision to mobile users. The concepts of service adaptability, downloadability and network reconfigurability based on terminal and user profiles and capabilities are aspects to be considered in the context of future mobile systems and networks enabling new approaches in service provision. In this paper, a generic architecture1 and functionality is presented for third party service registration, discovery, management and adaptable provision to mobile users.

Abstract: The long term vision of beyond 3G wireless communications describes an evolution towards beyond 3G systems. The ultimate goal of this evolution is a dynamic environment that enables the delivery of situation-aware, personalised multimedia services over heterogeneous, ubiquitous infrastructures. Under this perspective, the need is emerging for applying, in a systematic way, adaptability and reconfigurability concepts for service delivery in largely diverse contexts. Moreover, it is widely recognised that services will be increasingly developed by independent third parties. The present contribution complements previous work by the authors, related to mediating service provision platforms and advanced adaptability and profile management frameworks, by introducing mechanisms that allow third parties to dynamically enhance the service delivery and adaptation middleware in order to achieve application-specific customisations in various aspects of the mobile service provision process. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2003.