The Dynamic Data Driven Applications Systems (DDDAS) concept is driving novel capabilities and directions in applications, measurements, and cyber-infrastructure, with ensuing technology requirements in underlying grid infrastructure of computer systems, data systems, networks and global communications. DDDAS entails the ability to incorporate dynamically additional data into an executing application (these data can be archival or collected on-line), and in reverse the ability of the applications will be able to dynamically steer the measurement process. That is, the dynamic environments of concern here encompass dynamic integration of real-time data acquisition with compute and data intensive-systems. Supporting such environments requires dynamic discovery, invocation, provisioning and management of resources, at all layers, including at the networking and communications layers. Such environments also further extend and stress the kinds of requirements and services needed for resource availability, prioritization, reliability, fault tolerance and security. The discussion on the technology capabilities needed, will be motivated by specific application areas and application examples, such as environmental hazardous situations, medical and health systems, critical infrastructure systems, and emergency response systems.

Panelists:
Prof. Alok Chaturvedi, Purdue University
Prof. Nikos Chrisochoides, College of William and Mary
Dr. Frederica Darema, NSF
Prof. Richard Fujimoto, Georgia Tech
Prof. David Hachen, University of Notre Dame
Prof. Jim Kurose, University of Massachussetts at Amherst
Prof. Amitava Majumdar, UCSD
Prof. Sanjay Shakkottai, University of Texas at Austin

Virtualization has been used to allow fully featured operating systems to coexist on the same processor and physical memory simultaneously. This enables both dynamic process isolation and migration. Virtualization also means that the physical I/O resources of a system are virtualized. This includes network endpoints, TCP connections, IPsec security associations, etc. This panel will examine the concrete technical requirements and strategic plans for how virtualization can be exploited in networks and grids, and also how this dovetails with server virtualization as in the data center.

Panelists:
John Wittgreffe, ICT Research Chief, BT Group Chief Technology  Office
Inder Monga, Director, CTO Labs, Nortel
Gigi Karmous-Edwards, Principal Scientist, MCNC
Mohamed Bakhouya, Research scientist, George Washington University

This session will be focused on the technology and deployment issues associated with the WiMAX IEEE 802.16 and Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards as the mobile wireless broadband radio technologies for fourth generation (4G) networks. It is expected that both these technologies will be soon a popular radio access technology to deliver 4G wireless broadband services. WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is the name of the certification label that covers the IEEE 802.16 standard. There are two major releases of IEEE 802.16. Released in October of 2004, the IEEE 802.16 standard was designed to provide fixed broadband wireless access. In December of 2005, the standard was improved to add mobile broadband features in what is known as the Mobile WiMAX standard IEEE 802.16e.

Long Term Evolution (LTE), also known as "Evolved UTRA and UTRAN", is the standard currently being developed to enhance the coverage, capacity, and data rate of current 3GPP cellular systems (currently featuring radio access through UMTS, HSDPA, etc). From the technological viewpoint, LTE has many coincidences with mobile WiMAX, such as modulation based on OFDM, use of adaptable modulation and coding, emphasis on advance antenna systems (MIMO, beamforming, etc), architecture oriented towards an all-IP network, etc. From the deployment perspective, LTE is still an evolving standard with actual field deployment expected to be after WiMAX.

Presentations:

1) Title: Challenges and best practices towards 4G
Presenter: Tom Tofigh, WiMAX Forum AATG Chair
Abstract: Cross layer optimization and design principals to enhance 4G Application quality of experience (QOE) are presented. Further, Intelligent application dynamics and requirements are analyzed in terms 4G Mobile broadband communication services as a function of user behavior, application adaptation, and network ability to best optimize the network resources. This talk will address mitigation and strategies that best address the variations in the wireless channels. Traffic patterns, user locations, and network conditions are considered with various constrains and mitigations as part of the applications requirements for 4G.
2) Title: Designing and Implementing the Baseband Radio Modules in OFDM-based 4G Systems
Presenter: Andres Kwasinski, Texas Instruments
Abstract: In this talk we will describe the design and implementation of the baseband radio modules in 4G wireless systems based on the OFDM technology. The approach that we will take is focused on describing the different design tools available at design time. On the hardware side, we will provide an overview of different state-of-art digital signal processors optimized for communication infrastructure. In addition, we will describe how different specialized architectural and functional features in the DSPs can be used in an efficient design. On the software side, we will explain a typical architecture and how optimized code libraries can be used to achieve highly efficient results while reducing development cycle time. Also, we will emphasize how the underlying use of common technologies in many upcoming 4G standards, naturally lend themselves for both hardware and software reuse that reduces design and development cost and time.
3) Title: Introduction to Mobile WiMAX Networks and QoS requirements in WiMAX
Presenter: Rana Sircar, Wipro Technologies
4) Title: WiMAX NS-2 Simulator Design: Challenges in PHY/MAC Modeling to Support Scalable System Simulation
Presenter: TBD
5) Title: Long-Term Evolution of the 3G Wireless Standard: Key Technologies and System Performance
Presenter: Tarik Muharemovic, Texas Instruments
Abstract: This presentation will focus on the uplink PHY for the 3GPP EUTRA LTE, and give an overview of key design choices made for the 3GPP LTE. The presentation will first show how maximum cell coverage is achieved with a low PAPR transmission, using single-carrier OFDMA (SC-OFDMA) via DFT-spread OFDMA. Design choices and motivations for SC-OFDMA, with "distributed" and "localized" options, and rationale for selecting "localized" SC-OFDMA for the uplink PHY, are presented. The presentation will further include system-level evaluation methodology, system-level evaluations (i.e. system simulations), including link-to-system level mapping, and CDFs of achievable spectral efficiencies in the EUTRA uplink. System operator choices for cell-edge vs. cell average throughputs, and the shape of the cell-edge vs. average throughput region is discussed. The presentation will conclude with some forward-looking problems and issues incurred by the choice of SC-OFDMA, such as SC-OFDMA scheduler limitations.
6) Title: The Business Case for Advanced WiMAX Receivers: From Initial Deployment to Mature Wireless Systems
Presenter: Mark Reed, National ICT Australia
Abstract: Optimization of a WiMAX wireless system can occur at various places providing different benefits to the overall system performance. Optimization is critical to maximize the efficiency of the wireless network. During initial deployment, coverage is optimized to minimize infrastructure costs and achieve profitability sooner, while later as the network matures capacity needs to be optimized. In this presentation we investigate the gains possible from advanced receivers and illustrate the system benefits in terms of cell range improvement and average data throughput for a user. Surprisingly for a very small improvement in receiver sensitivity, significant cell area and throughput improvement can be achieved. As Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) is deployed and modem chip developers can differentiate themselves more through their products then even more significant gains can be achieved.

The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is considered as the platform of choice for providing a unified session control on top of multiple access network technologies for realizing flexible multimedia applications. IMS, with its access-agnostic session layer, is also driving the concept of Fixed-Mobile Convergence by merging the fixed and mobile telecommunication networks with the Internet and the adoption of IP technologies within the telecom domain. IMS represents conceptually a combination of the traditional fixed and mobile networks from the telecom domain with emerging VoIP and Internet applications in order to implement a seamless multimedia service environment.

This session will address the state of the art of IMS including market trends, migration strategies, core network issues and challenges, applications driving IMS technology forward, fixed mobile convergence, different test bed implementations, interoperability issues, and deployment status.

Presentations:

1) Title: An IMS Reality Check
Presenter: Brian Patridge, Yankee Group (Invited talk)
Abstract: The IP multimedia subsystem has received tremendous amount hype in the marketplace, propagated by vendors and tier one operators alike.  In some circles it has been positioned as the "magic bullet" to cure all that ails operators who desire new revenue streams and lower network opex.   Can IMS realistically deliver on its promises?  Or will it fall short of expectations and yield to alternative service delivery architectures? This session will answer these questions and more based on real world feedback Yankee Group has collected from the field and paint a realistic view of the state of IMS adoption, current industry challenges, and opportunities.

2)Title: IMS Application Architecture: Interoperability and Composition
Presenter: Hal Purdy, AT&T (Invited talk)
Abstract: The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture aims to support advanced telecommunication features deployed on Application Servers (AS). Defined in the IMS specifications, the IP multimedia Service Control (ISC) interface dictates how SIP Application Servers interact with the S-CSCF. Service providers like AT&T should thus expect that SIP Application Servers provided by one vendor should interoperate with an S-CSCF provided by another vendor. Furthermore, IMS specifically recognizes and supports the need to combine several Application Servers together on subscriber calls thereby enabling the functional composition of several advanced features.

In practice, getting different vendors’ IMS core components, Application Servers, and Media Servers to correctly interoperate is a challenge that often requires some ingenuity to overcome. This challenge becomes larger when an operator wishes to support application composition particularly in the presence of applications that operate as SIP Back-to-Back User Agents (B2BUA). The intrepid service provider that wishes to combine several Application Servers together on subscriber calls must not only overcome basic interoperability issues but IMS specifications that are sometimes imprecise as regards application composition.

This technical talk will explore interoperability challenges likely faced by a service provider looking to deploy or compose advanced telecommunication features in a multi-vendor IMS deployment. Also discussed will be how other standard technologies, such as SIP Servlet containers, have addressed these same composition issues and how these technologies should be deployed along with or instead of similar IMS components like the Service Capability Interaction Manager (SCIM).

3) Title: The IMS Transition
Presenter: Michael Xu, Tekelec, USA
Contributors:  Michael Xu, Dan Bantukul, Tekelec, USA
Abstract: Tekelec’s perspective is the transition to IMS is an evolution that has the potential to span a decade or longer. During the transition, SS7 and SIP-based IMS networks will need to coexist. Carriers will need to offer new multimedia applications in addition to existing IN services. Carriers will scrutinize the economics and risks or transitioning to an all SIP-based architecture. There will be numerous vendor trials over the next several years as the technology matures and standards are set, and Tekelec believes operators will take a “best of breed” approach. Given the variety of networks in various states of migration, transition solutions which allow carriers to bridge IN, IP and “IMS-ready” SIP-based applications will be a critical component to the evolution. The signaling control layer is a critical component for carriers, and solutions such as IP/Sigtran signaling and SIP to SS7 gateways will allow carriers to maximize investments, preserve network service delivery reliability and maximize opportunities.

4) Title: Media Function in IMS
Presenter:Jean-Charles Gregoire, International Institute for Telecommunications, Montreal, Canada
Contributors: Jean-Charles Gregoire, International Institute for Telecommunications, Montreal, Canada,
Admela Jukan, Technical University, Carolo-Wilhelmina of Braunschweig, Germany.
Abstract: Although multimedia is fundamental to IMS and its operations, much of the focus of IMS' original work has been on signaling issues and not media processing. The Media Resource Function (MRF), part of the IMS Core architecture, is a collection of functions of varied nature, yet required to support various telephony services in signaling and media planes. Over time, however, this function has generated more interest as manufacturers have positioned products to implement it and services have emerged which required support of more sophisticated media functions, beyond what has been specified so far. Nevertheless, studies on the nature of the various media functions required for operations of IMS services, or on the way they can be integrated in IMS operations, have been few and far between. In this presentation, we review and analyze different perspectives on media functions, including a review of the relevant 3GPP standards. We introduce an original view on the organization of the IMS media function to attempt to facilitate its integration into services.

5) Title: IMS-based Seamless Voice Continuity: Architecture,   Procedures and Performance Evaluation
Presenter: Apostolis K. Salkintzis, Motorola
Contributors: Apostolis K. Salkintzis, Motorola , Nikos Passas and Spyros Xergias, University of Athens, Greece

Abstract: The purpose of this presentation will be to discuss an IMS-based architecture and the required procedures that can enable voice call transfer across UMTS and IEEE 802.16e, and also to study how many voice calls can be handed over from UMTS to 802.16e. Our study is based on a simulation model that lets us quantify the maximum number of UMTS voice calls that can be admitted to an 802.16e BS, subject to maintaining the same level of QoS in both networks and confined to a certain available bandwidth in 802.16e. Our results indicate that an IEEE 802.16e BS can support a large number of UMTS voice calls, which depends primarily on the QoS requirements and the applied 802.16e bandwidth sharing policy (i.e. how the available bandwidth is shared between voice and data users).

6)  Title: Enriching IMS based IPTV with Virtual Identity Management: Experiences
Presenter: Sebastian Felis, NEC Laboratories Europe, Network Division, Heidelberg, Germany
Contributors: Mischa Schmidt,  Dr. Daniele Abbadessa, NEC Laboratories Europe, Network Division, Heidelberg, Germany

Abstract: Currently we observe trends of fixed and mobile operators to move towards converged networks. IMS is the enabler of this convergence providing the common control layer for so called Next Generation Networks as, for example, defined in ETSI TISPAN. We focus on a key service for future Triple Play offerings: IPTV. In particular, we concentrate on IMS based IPTV which is one of the two architectural approaches chosen by ETSI TISPAN in its second Release of NGN specifications.

After a brief introduction into these specifications, we concentrate on practical experience gained in testbed implementations realizing IMS based IPTV, supporting not only Live TV retransmission via IP and Content on Demand, but also more sophisticated IPTV services e.g. by blending it with Presence and other communication services.

On top of that, we introduce the concept of Virtual Identities and Identity Management, showing the benefits in the IPTV service environment both from a user as well as from a service provider and operator perspective – e.g. by supporting privacy for value added services on top of the IPTV service eco-system itself. New business concepts emerge from this combination of innovative technologies which was also contributed to the ITU-T Focus Group on Identity Management. We validated these concepts in our Virtual Identity enabled IMS based IPTV testbed implementation and share our experiences gained.

7) Title: Lessons from Testbed – A Catalyst for IMS Deployment
Presenter: Ashutosh Dutta, Telcordia Applied Research
Contributors: A. Dutta, F. Joe Lin, S. Das, Telcordia Applied Research, USA
T. Chiba, H. Yokota, KDDI R&D Laboratories, Japan
H. Schulzrinne, Columbia University, USA

Abstract: In order to realize the level of sophistication involved in IMS deployment and develop some guidelines that could be useful to the wireless carriers, we have implemented an experimental  IMS/MMD testbed and have prototyped many of the functional components, such as signaling, configuration, registration, security, and mobility. In addition, we have incorporated certain key features of A-IMS, such as support for non-SIP-based services (e.g., IPTV), interaction between SIP and Non-SIP related services and roaming functionality. Most of the functional components have been implemented using standards-based IETF protocols such as SIP, MIPv6, ProxyMIPv6, RTSP, and Diameter. In this talk, we share our experiences in building an experimental enhanced MMD testbed that runs over both IPv4 and IPv6 and incorporates certain key features of A-IMS as well.  We highlight many of the deployment related issues, such as trombone routing due to Mobile IP, context transfer due to P-CSCF relocation, and propose various security and mobility related optimization techniques to improve the performance during handoff. We also share some of the experiences and performance of  IMS over satellite-based IPv6 core networks.

8) Title: The Open IMS Core - an Open Source Reference Implementation for the Telecommunications Industry
Presenters: Peter Weik, Fraunhofer FOKUS; Dave Waiting, University of Cape Town
Contributors: Peter Weik, Dragos Vingarzan, Fraunhofer FOKUS; Dave Waiting, Richard Good, University of Cape Town

Abstract: We will outline, what motivated Fraunhofer FOKUS to establish an Open Source project for IMS core networks and we will introduce the project and its application in the academia, industry and with operators for establishing IMS testbeds or applications like IPTV over IMS. On the client side, we will show the UCT IMS Client project status and provide some measurements for access network technologies.

9) Deploying an IMS testbed: The VITAL Experience
Presenter: Spyros Denazis, University of Patras, Greece.

Software defined radio (SDR) is currently being used to implement simple radio technologies by controlling programmable hardware with software to change frequency bands and modulation techniques, either manually or over-the-air. It is also the enabler of the cognitive radio (CR), a new paradigm based on actively monitoring the radio environment (e.g., available spectrum, user behavior, and network state) and automatically reconfiguring the radio to best suit the user's needs. In time, because of its ability to optimize utilization and performance, SDR/CR is expected to dominate radio communications.

This session will focus on the latest approaches related to the design and development of SDRs/CRs and in particular, the tools, design philosophies, problems/challenges, and potential technology gaps. Presentations by some of the leading SDR/CR designers and developers, along with a lengthy panel discussion, are planned. The SDR/CR designers and developers are being encouraged to present a general overview of the approach used in their organization, the challenges they face, the gaps/needs perceived in current tools/approaches, and their vision of the future. Ample time will also be allowed for questions and discussions.

1) Title: GNU Radio: Current Capabilities & Future Directions
Presenter: Eric A. Blossom, Founder, GNU Radio Project, Blossom Research, LLC
Abstract: An overview of the GNU Radio system will be provided, describing its current capabilities and some of the applications that have been built using it. This will be followed with a discussion of the future directions for GNU Radio. Future directions include support for a wide range of TDMA and wide-band data networking waveforms.   In addition, a plan for the exploitation of high-performance heterogeneous platforms, such as the CELL Broadband Engine, will be outlined.

2) Title: Algorithm and Architecture Design on the Rice University Wireless Open-Access Research Platform (WARP)
Presenter: Dr. Joseph R. Cavallaro, Associate Director, Center for Multimedia Communication, Rice University

3) Title: The Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) and the USRP2
Presenter: Matt Ettus, Developer, Universal Software Radio Peripheral, Ettus Research, LLC

4) Title: Challenges and Promises in Cognitive Radio
Presenter: Dr. Bruce Fette, Chief Scientist, General Dynamics C4 Systems

5) Title: Building a Cognitive Radio
Presenter: Dr. Gary J. Minden, Director, Communications and Networking Systems Laboratory Information and Telecommunication Technology Center, University of Kansas

6) Title: Efficient spectrum utilization in a collaborative communications environment
Presenter: Dr. Borivoje Nikolic, Professor, Berkeley Wireless Research Center, University of California at Berkeley

7) Title: Challenges of RF Front-End Design for Commercial and Military CR/SDR Systems
Presenter: Dr. Barry S. Perlman, Director, DARPA Liaison Program Office U.S. Army Communications-Electronics R&D Center (CERDEC)

8) Title: Adaptive Transmission Protocols for Cognitive Radios in Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks
Presenter: Dr. Michael B. Pursley, Holcombe Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clemson University

9) Title: The Next Big Challenge: Regulation, Certification, and Testing of Cognitive Radios
Presenter: Dr. Jeffrey H. Reed, Director, Wireless @ Virginia Tech, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University