FraNtiC: A Fractal Geometric Framework for Mesh-Based Wireless Access Networks

The design of the access networks of next generation broadband wireless systems requires special attention in the light of changing network characteristics. In this paper, we present a mesh-based distributed radio access network (RAN) framework for future wireless systems. Using short, high bandwidth optical wireless links to interconnect the various network elements, we identify a generic fractal or self-similar structure in the network. A mathematical model for the framework is presented and the benefits of its scaleinvariant properties on robustness, reliability and flexibility analyzed. We focus on three design parameters - carrierclass network reliability, network exposure due to failure conditions and system cost. The dynamics of these parameters on our proposed architecture are studied and compared against existing access network topologies like tree/ring and square-grid. The generality and recursive nature of our framework lends itself to be applied in interconnecting variou...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2005
• Where: ICDCS
• Authors: Samik Ghosh, Kalyan Basu, Sajal K. Das
• Keywords: Access Networks, Broadband Wireless, Distributed And Parallel Computing, ICDCS 2005, Wireless Systems