An open-system 4G/B3G network architecture

The development of fourth generation or beyond third generation (4G/B3G) networks is driven by the need to offer the subscribers with the convenience of using the same end terminal to obtain seamless services across heterogeneous networks. In this paper, we propose a consolidated 4G/B3G architecture that is open, hierarchical, layered and modular with cross-layer coordination and distributed network functionalities. Well-defined message interfaces enable the layers/levels within the architecture to support the cross-layer coordination under dynamic network conditions. Novel augmentations in mobility and resource management schemes are proposed that result in consolidating the corresponding salient areas of 4G/B3G architectures discussed in the literature. Seamless services in the network can be accessed through our reconfigurable multi-antenna end terminal. A common mechanism for control/signaling across heterogeneous networks is adopted to facilitate wireless system discovery and paging. A multicast protocol is proposed to ensure the reliable transfer of control/signaling messages over this incorporated signaling system.