Multi-service metropolitan networks

Abstract

The objective of this project is the conception of a multi-service metropolitan network (voice, data, etc.). In the metropolitan network proposed, the distributed local area networks could be of two types: a) mobile phone cell network, where the base station handles the local hand-off; b) ring network with distributed hand-off, where the subscribers are connected in small modules of distributed hand-off along the length of the ring. In the proposed metropolitan network the actual hierarchical structure of central exchanges will be replaced with networks of ring exchanges. Each ring exchange will incorporate a set of local exchanges which will also have the function of exchange (or tandem exchange). In this way, the trunk network will also have distributed hand-off defining for the whole metropolitan network just two levels of traffic forwarding. The research activities programmed are: a) specification, validation and simulation of protocols; b) access schemes; c) traffic forwarding: analysis of performance; d) access to hand-off nodes via radio: techniques of alternative routing; e) access to hand-off nodes via radio: co-channel interference by the application of alternative routing techniques. (AU)