Page 51 - Kaleidoscope Academic Conference Proceedings 2022

Extended reality – How to boost quality of experience and interoperability

Similarly, NTN-TN GWs can be connected to the cellular 4. INTEGRATED NETWORK CONTROL
core network or directly to data networks if cellular core SYSTEM
functions are not required by the radio access network
connected to NTN terminals. In this section, we describe the functional architecture of
integrated network control system and its components.
The access network can be a fixed access network (e.g.
fiber-to-the-home) to connect fixed terminals (e.g. 4.1 Architecture of integrated network control
computers and smart devices in home or office) or a radio system
access network (e.g. cellular WAN consisting of RAN
central units and radio heads) to connect mobile user Figure 3 shows the functional architecture of an integrated
equipment (e.g. smartphones). The fixed access networks network control system. This figure extends the network
(not shown in the figure) are usually connected to data control plane shown in Figure 1. The major components of
networks, while RAN networks are connected to the integrated network control architecture are: (1) Integrated
cellular core network through high-speed, multi-core network control interfaces, (2) Integrated control data
optical fiber networks [7] so that seamless mobility of service, (3) End-to-end (E2E) network status analysis, (4)
mobile users from a TN to an NTN can be supported. Application requirements and user intent analysis, (5) E2E
Similarly, the cellular RAN including local B5G/6G access resource allocation, management, and optimization, and (6)
networks and various types of wireless access points Integrated control and orchestration functions.
installed on the ground, airplanes or ship can be connected
to NTN though an NTN terminal such as a Very Small The integrated network control interfaces communicate
Aperture Terminal (VSAT) acting as a gateway between with the network control external interfaces of individual
the terrestrial RAN and NTN. 5G New Radio (NR) UEs network segments (e.g. radio access, NTN, cellular core,
also have capabilities of connecting to satellites directly. and data networks) to collect control data from them and
send control commands to them. The interfaces also contain
In the control plane, each network segment is managed by functions to collect control data in different granularity of
its own network control system. Although different kinds of time scales and details as required. There should be
NTN networks (e.g. GEO satellites, LEO satellites, and provisions to adjust the granularity and frequency of control
HAPS) are shown collectively managed by a single NTN data generation and transmission so that the control system
control system in Figure 2, each NTN segment with overhead will not overwhelm the integrated network control
airspace components stationed at a given altitude may be system performance. The control interfaces can be based on
controlled and managed by a distinct network control flexible and extendable standard protocols (e.g. RESTful
system. API), which can be easily adapted to efficiently
communicate with individual network control systems.

Integrated network control system
Application requirements and user intent
analysis

E2E resource allocation, E2E network status
management, optimization analysis
Integrated control
data service
Integrated control, orchestration
Monitoring
Control data
Integrated network control interfaces

Control commands Control data

Data
RAN control NTN control Core network network
control
control
Individual network segment control systems

Figure 3 - Functional architecture of integrated network control system

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