"Asynchronous Time-Sensitive Networking for 5G Backhauling", J. Prados-Garzon, T. Taleb, IEEE Network, 35 (2), pp. 144-151, 2021. DOI: 10.1109/MNET.011.2000402

Fifth Generation (5G) phase 2 rollouts are around the corner to make mobile ultra-reliable and low-latency services a reality. However, to realize that scenario, besides the new 5G built-in Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) capabilities, it is required to provide a substrate network with deterministic Quality-of-Service support for interconnecting the different 5G network functions and services. Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) appears as an appealing network technology to meet the 5G connectivity needs in many scenarios involving critical services and their coexistence with Mobile Broadband traffic. In this article, we delve into the adoption of asynchronous TSN for 5G backhauling and some of the relevant related aspects. We start motivating TSN and introducing its mainstays. Then, we provide a comprehensive overview of the architecture and operation of the Asynchronous Traffic Shaper (ATS), the building block of asynchronous TSN. Next, a management framework based on ETSI Zero-touch network and Service Management (ZSM) and Abstraction and Control of Traffic Engineered Networks (ACTN) reference models is presented for enabling the TSN transport network slicing and its interworking with Fifth Generation (5G) for backhauling. Then we cover the flow allocation problem in asynchronous TSNs and the importance of Machine Learning techniques for assisting it. Last, we present a simulation-based proof-of-concept (PoC) to assess the capacity of ATS-based forwarding planes for accommodating 5G data flows.

@ARTICLE{9373015,  author={J. {Prados-Garzon} and T. {Taleb}},  journal={IEEE Network},   title={Asynchronous Time-Sensitive Networking for 5G Backhauling}, year={2021},  volume={35},  number={2},  pages={144-151},  abstract={Fifth Generation (5G) phase 2 rollouts are around the corner to make mobile ultra-reliable and low-latency services a reality. However, to realize that scenario, besides the new 5G built-in Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) capabilities, it is required to provide a substrate network with deterministic Quality-of-Service support for interconnecting the different 5G network functions and services. Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) appears as an appealing network technology to meet the 5G connectivity needs in many scenarios involving critical services and their coexistence with Mobile Broadband traffic. In this article, we delve into the adoption of asynchronous TSN for 5G backhauling and some of the relevant related aspects. We start motivating TSN and introducing its mainstays. Then, we provide a comprehensive overview of the architecture and operation of the Asynchronous Traffic Shaper (ATS), the building block of asynchronous TSN. Next, a management framework based on ETSI Zero-touch network and Service Management (ZSM) and Abstraction and Control of Traffic Engineered Networks (ACTN) reference models is presented for enabling the TSN transport network slicing and its interworking with Fifth Generation (5G) for backhauling. Then we cover the flow allocation problem in asynchronous TSNs and the importance of Machine Learning techniques for assisting it. Last, we present a simulation-based proof-of-concept (PoC) to assess the capacity of ATS-based forwarding planes for accommodating 5G data flows.},  keywords={5G mobile communication;Logic gates;Resource management;Regulation;Substrates;Bridges;Ultra reliable low latency communication;Machine learning;Network slicing;Broadband communication},  doi={10.1109/MNET.011.2000402},  ISSN={1558-156X},  month={March},
project={5gclarity|true5g},impact = {(IF = 10.234, Q1)}
}

"Analytical Model for the UE Blocking Probability in an OFDMA Cell providing GBR Slices", O. Adamuz-Hinojosa, P. Ameigeiras, P. Munoz, J. M. Lopez-Soler, "2021 IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), Nanjing, China", pp. 1-7, 2021

When a network operator designs strategies for planning and operating Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) slices, there are inherent issues such as the under(over)-provisioning of radio resources. To avoid them, modeling the User Equipment (UE) blocking probability in each cell is key. This task is challenging due to the total required bandwidth depends on the channel quality of each UE and the spatio-temporal variations in the number of UE sessions. Under this context, we propose an analytical model to evaluate the UE blocking probability in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) cell. The main novelty of our model is the adoption of a multi-dimensional Erlang-B system which meets the reversibility property. This means our model is insensitive to the holding time distribution for the UE session. In addition, this property reduces the computational complexity of our model due to the solution for the state transition probabilities has product form. The provided results show that our model exhibits an estimation error for the UE blocking probability below 3.5%.

@INPROCEEDINGS{OscarCellModel2021,
author={O. {Adamuz-Hinojosa} and P. {Ameigeiras} and P. {Munoz} and J. M. {Lopez-Soler} },
booktitle={2021 IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), Nanjing, China},
title={Analytical Model for the UE Blocking Probability in an OFDMA Cell providing GBR Slices},
year={2021},
volume={},
number={},
pages={1-7},
abstract={When a network operator designs strategies for planning and operating Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) slices, there are inherent issues such as the under(over)-provisioning of radio resources. To avoid them, modeling the User Equipment (UE) blocking probability in each cell is key. This task is challenging due to the total required bandwidth depends on the channel quality of each UE and the spatio-temporal variations in the number of UE sessions. Under this context, we propose an analytical model to evaluate the UE blocking probability in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) cell. The main novelty of our model is the adoption of a multi-dimensional Erlang-B system which meets the reversibility property. This means our model is insensitive to the holding time distribution for the UE session. In addition, this property reduces the computational complexity of our model due to the solution for the state transition probabilities has product form. The provided results show that our model exhibits an estimation error for the UE blocking probability below 3.5%.},
keywords={Blocking probability; OFDMA; GBR; Erlang-B},
doi={},
ISSN={},
month={Mar.},
project={5gclarity|true5g}
}

"Deep Reinforcement Learning based Collision Avoidance in UAV Environment", Sihem Ouahouah, Miloud Bagaa, Jonathan Prados-Garzon, Tarik Taleb, IEEE Internet of Things Journal, pp. 1-1, 2021. DOI: 10.1109/JIOT.2021.3118949

@ARTICLE{9564258,
   author={Ouahouah, Sihem and Bagaa, Miloud and Prados-Garzon, Jonathan and Taleb, Tarik},
   journal={IEEE Internet of Things Journal},
   title={Deep Reinforcement Learning based Collision Avoidance in UAV Environment},
   year={2021},
   volume={},
   number={},
   pages={1-1},
   doi={10.1109/JIOT.2021.3118949},
   project={5gclarity|true5g},
   impact = {(IF = 9.471, Q1)}}

"Collision Avoidance Resource Allocation for LoRaWAN", Natalia Chinchilla-Romero, Jorge Navarro-Ortiz, Pablo Muñoz, Pablo Ameigeiras, Sensors, 21 (4), 2021. DOI: 10.3390/s21041218

The number of connected IoT devices is significantly increasing and it is expected to reach more than two dozens of billions of IoT connections in the coming years. Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) have become very relevant for this new paradigm due to features such as large coverage and low power consumption. One of the most appealing technologies among these networks is LoRaWAN. Although it may be considered as one of the most mature LPWAN platforms, there are still open gaps such as its capacity limitations. For this reason, this work proposes a collision avoidance resource allocation algorithm named the Collision Avoidance Resource Allocation (CARA) algorithm with the objective of significantly increase system capacity. CARA leverages the multichannel structure and the orthogonality of spreading factors in LoRaWAN networks to avoid collisions among devices. Simulation results show that, assuming ideal radio link conditions, our proposal outperforms in 95.2% the capacity of a standard LoRaWAN network and increases the capacity by almost 40% assuming a realistic propagation model. In addition, it has been verified that CARA devices can coexist with LoRaWAN traditional devices, thus allowing the simultaneous transmissions of both types of devices. Moreover, a proof-of-concept has been implemented using commercial equipment in order to check the feasibility and the correct operation of our solution.

@ARTICLE{s21041218,
AUTHOR = {Chinchilla-Romero, Natalia and Navarro-Ortiz, Jorge and Muñoz, Pablo and Ameigeiras, Pablo},
TITLE = {Collision Avoidance Resource Allocation for {LoRaWAN}},
JOURNAL = {Sensors},
VOLUME = {21},
YEAR = {2021},
NUMBER = {4},
ARTICLE-NUMBER = {1218},
ISSN = {1424-8220},
ABSTRACT = {The number of connected IoT devices is significantly increasing and it is expected to reach more than two dozens of billions of IoT connections in the coming years. Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) have become very relevant for this new paradigm due to features such as large coverage and low power consumption. One of the most appealing technologies among these networks is {LoRaWAN}. Although it may be considered as one of the most mature LPWAN platforms, there are still open gaps such as its capacity limitations. For this reason, this work proposes a collision avoidance resource allocation algorithm named the Collision Avoidance Resource Allocation (CARA) algorithm with the objective of significantly increase system capacity. CARA leverages the multichannel structure and the orthogonality of spreading factors in {LoRaWAN} networks to avoid collisions among devices. Simulation results show that, assuming ideal radio link conditions, our proposal outperforms in 95.2% the capacity of a standard {LoRaWAN} network and increases the capacity by almost 40% assuming a realistic propagation model. In addition, it has been verified that CARA devices can coexist with {LoRaWAN} traditional devices, thus allowing the simultaneous transmissions of both types of devices. Moreover, a proof-of-concept has been implemented using commercial equipment in order to check the feasibility and the correct operation of our solution.},
DOI = {10.3390/s21041218},
impact = {(IF=3.275, Q1)},
pdf = {https://digibug.ugr.es/handle/10481/67701},
project = {artemis|5gcity|5gclarity}
}

"Towards zeRo toUch nEtwork and services for beyond 5G (TRUE-5G)", J. Navarro-Ortiz, J. M. Lopez-Soler, 2023

@researchproject{true5g, code={PID2019-108713RB-C53}, title={Towards zeRo toUch nEtwork and services for beyond 5G (TRUE-5G)}, org={Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation}, type={national}, author={J. Navarro-Ortiz and J. M. Lopez-Soler}, year=2023, month=5, date1={06/2020}, date2={05/2023}, funding={151.855 €}, url0="project_true5g.php", logo="assets/img/research/projects/ministerio_ciencia_innovacion.jpg", note="ongoing"}

"Beyond 5G Multi-Tenant Private Networks Integrating Cellular, Wi-Fi, and LiFi, Powered by Artificial Intelligence and Intent Based Policy (5G-CLARITY)", J. M. Lopez-Soler, 2022

@researchproject{5gclarity, code={Grant number 871428}, title={Beyond 5G Multi-Tenant Private Networks Integrating Cellular, Wi-Fi, and LiFi, Powered by Artificial Intelligence and Intent Based Policy (5G-CLARITY)}, org={European Commission H2020}, type={European}, author={J. M. Lopez-Soler}, year=2022, month=4, date1={11/2019}, date2={04/2022}, funding={393.125 €}, url1={https://www.5gclarity.com/}, twitter={https://twitter.com/5g_clarity?lang=en}, linkedin={https://www.linkedin.com/in/5g-clarity-project-1538111a4}, url0="project_5gclarity.php", logo="assets/img/research/projects/h2020_logo.jpg", note="ongoing"}

"Architecture for IoT networks oriented to environmental sustainability (ARTEMIS)", J. Navarro-Ortiz, 2022

@researchproject{artemis, code={A-TIC-241-UGR18}, title={Architecture for IoT networks oriented to environmental sustainability (ARTEMIS)}, org={Andalusian Knowledge Agency (part of The Regional Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment)}, type={regional}, author={J. Navarro-Ortiz}, year=2022, month=6, date1={01/2020}, date2={06/2022}, funding={32.125 €}, url0="project_artemis.php", logo="assets/img/research/projects/agencia_andaluza_conocimiento.png", note="ongoing"}

"Engineering future secure edge computing networks, systems and services (Go2Edge)", Ramón J. Durán Barroso (UGR coordinator Juan J. Ramos-Munoz), 2021

@researchproject{go2edge, code={RED2018-102585-T}, title={Engineering future secure edge computing networks, systems and services (Go2Edge)}, org={Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation}, type={national}, author={Ramón J. Durán Barroso (UGR coordinator Juan J. Ramos-Munoz)}, year=2021, month=12, date1={2020}, date2={2021}, funding={15.000 €}, url1={http://go2edge.uva.es/en/}, logo="assets/img/research/projects/ministerio_ciencia_innovacion.jpg", note="ongoing"}

"Advanced methodologies for performance and QoX evaluation on telematics networks and services (EVEREST)", L. Cano-Ferre (UGR coordinator J. Navarro-Ortiz), 2021

@researchproject{everest, code={RED2018-102383-T}, title={Advanced methodologies for performance and QoX evaluation on telematics networks and services (EVEREST)}, org={Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation}, type={national}, author={L. Cano-Ferre (UGR coordinator J. Navarro-Ortiz)}, year=2021, month=12, date1={2020}, date2={2021}, funding={20.000 €}, url1={https://qoxlab.com/}, twitter={https://twitter.com/QoX_Lab}, logo="assets/img/research/projects/ministerio_ciencia_innovacion.jpg", note="ongoing"}

"low-PoweR sEnsor network for MONItoring envIronmenTal conditions (PREMONITION)", J. Navarro-Ortiz, J. J. Ramos-Munoz

@researchproject{B-TIC-568-UGR20, code={B-TIC-568-UGR20 (provisionally granted)}, title={low-PoweR sEnsor network for MONItoring envIronmenTal conditions (PREMONITION)}, org={Andalusian Regional Goverment (Programa Operativo FEDER de Andalucía 2014-2020)}, type={regional}, author={J. Navarro-Ortiz and J. J. Ramos-Munoz}, funding={50.000 €}, url0="project_premonition.php", logo="assets/img/research/projects/agencia_andaluza_conocimiento.png", date1={2022}, date2={2023}, note="ongoing"}

"Multi-connectivity solutions for 5G/6G networks", Felix Delgado-Ferro, University of Granada

@PhdThesis{thesisdelgado,
  author      = {Felix Delgado-Ferro},
  director    = {Jorge Navarro-Ortiz and Juan M. Lopez-Soler},
  title       = {Multi-connectivity solutions for 5G/6G networks},
  institution = {University of Granada},
  type        = {phdthesis},
  project     = {5gclarity|true5g},
  note        = "ongoing"
}

"Optimization and orchestration of LoRaWAN networks", Natalia Chinchilla-Romero, University of Granada

@PhdThesis{thesisnatalia,
  author      = {Natalia Chinchilla-Romero},
  director    = {Jorge Navarro-Ortiz},
  title       = {Optimization and orchestration of LoRaWAN networks},
  institution = {University of Granada},
  type        = {phdthesis},
  project     = {5gclarity|true5g},
  note        = "ongoing"
}

"AI-assisted management of 5G private networks", Lorena Chinchilla-Romero, University of Granada

@PhdThesis{thesislorena,
  author      = {Lorena Chinchilla-Romero},
  director    = {Pablo Ameigeiras and Pablo Munoz},
  title       = {AI-assisted management of 5G private networks},
  institution = {University of Granada},
  type        = {phdthesis},
  project     = {5gclarity|true5g},
  note        = "ongoing"
}

"Orchestration and management of independent virtualized networks for the support of new services in 5G", Jose Antonio Ordonez-Lucena, University of Granada

@PhdThesis{thesisordonez,
  author      = {Jose Antonio Ordonez-Lucena},
  director    = {Pablo Ameigeiras and Juan M. Lopez-Soler},
  title       = {Orchestration and management of independent virtualized networks for the support of new services in 5G},
  institution = {University of Granada},
  type        = {phdthesis},
  project     = {5gcity|5gclarity|true5g},
  note        = "ongoing"
}

"Multidomain orchestration mechanisms for network slicing", Oscar Adamuz-Hinojosa, University of Granada

@PhdThesis{thesisadamuz,
  author      = {Oscar Adamuz-Hinojosa},
  director    = {Pablo Ameigeiras and Juan M. Lopez-Soler},
  title       = {Multidomain orchestration mechanisms for network slicing},
  institution = {University of Granada},
  type        = {phdthesis},
  project     = {5gcity|5gclarity|true5g},
  note        = "ongoing"
}

"Improving LoRaWAN networks performance", Natalia Chinchilla-Romero, 2021

@mastersthesis{chinchilla_2021,
  author       = {Natalia Chinchilla-Romero},
  director     = {Jorge Navarro-Ortiz},
  title        = {Improving LoRaWAN networks performance},
  school       = {Higher Technical School of Informatics and Telecommunications, University of Granada},
  type         = {M.Sc. thesis},
  degree       = {M.Sc. Telecommunications Engineering},
  year         = 2021,
  month        = June,
  pdf          = {https://wpd.ugr.es/~jorgenavarro/thesis/2021_TFM_NataliaChinchillaRomero.pdf},
}

"System to interconnect members of an emergency team in scenarios without coverage", Felix Delgado-Ferro, 2020

@mastersthesis{delgado_2020,
  author       = {Felix Delgado-Ferro},
  director     = {Jorge Navarro-Ortiz},
  title        = {System to interconnect members of an emergency team in scenarios without coverage},
  school       = {Higher Technical School of Informatics and Telecommunications, University of Granada},
  type         = {Bachelor thesis},
  degree       = {degree on Telecommunications Engineering},
  year         = 2020,
  month        = July,
  pdf          = {https://wpd.ugr.es/~jorgenavarro/thesis/2020_TFG_FelixDelgadoFerro.pdf},
  note         = {Co-directed with J.J. Ramos-Munoz. This thesis obtained the maximum possible mark and was granted the first position in the 8th edition of the B.Sc. Thesis Awards of the Dpt. Signal Theory, Telematics and Communications of the University of Granada in the category of Telematics Engineering. In addition, it was granted the second position (“accesit”) in the Ingenio Awards 2020 from the Andalusian Official Association of B.Sc. Telecommunications Engineers.}
}