Concurrent bandwidth aggregation over wireless networks

Mobile client platforms have emerged with the ability to access and utilize multiple wireless networks concurrently. Aggregation can be performed using wireless modems on one device or cooperatively across devices within wireless proximity of each other. This paper explores various concurrent bandwidth aggregation schemes. The aggregation can be achieved on the application-layer, transport layer like MultipathTCP, or on layers below IP such as the RLC layer. These schemes are compared. In general, aggregation on the lower layer is closer to the client device and easier to adapt to the varying channel and loading conditions. However, lower layer aggregation needs more changes to wireless access stratum infrastructure. Aggregation above the IP layer is simpler to implement. A feasibility study of MultipathTCP aggregation over multiple WWANs is presented.