“Approaches to Interoperability Standardization”
by
Timothy Schoechle, PhD
CyberLYNX Technology Corporation
Boulder, Colorado, USA
for
National Conference on Emergency
Communications Systems
Washington DC
December 12-13, 2005
hosted by
George Washington University
Situation
• Technological advances in wireless
networking
• Many new technologies and standards
• Targeted to specific applications and services
• Not interoperable
Some examples
• Local area networks
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–
–
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Bluetooth
Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4)
WiFi (IEEE 802.11)
UWB
• Wide area networks
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–
–
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WiMAX (IEEE 802.16)
LMDS, MMDS
GSM/GPRS
CDMA
3G
• CDMA 2000
• WCDMS
• TS-SCDMA
Some examples
• Satellite services
• SDR (Software Defined Radio)
– JTSR (Joint Tactical Radio System)
– US military system
• Specialized fixed and mobile services
• NGN (Next Generation Networks)
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–
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ITU-T SG 13—NGN
ITU-T SG 16—Multimedia Trmls, Sys. & Apps
Focus on ”ubiquitous applications”
e-everything (e.g., e-health, e-business, etc.)
The problem
• Compatibility
– Not interfering with each other
• Connectivity
– Talking to each other
• Interoperability
– Understanding each other
– “Interworking”
The problem
• Interoperability
– Between wired and wireless networks
– Between new and legacy networks
Issues and problems
• The “stovepipe” problem
• New systems need “legacy bridge”
• Future-proofing
– “technology insertion”—Avoid re-engineering
– “sustainability”
• Compatibility with civil & national systems
OSI 7-layer model
(open system interconnect)
USER
USER
“Gateway”
Layer 7
Application
Application
Layer 6
Presentation
Presentation
Layer 5
Session
Session
Layer 4
Transport
Transport
“Router”
Layer 3
Network
Network
Layer 2
Data Link
Data Link
“Bridge”
Layer 1
Physical
Physical
Network 1
Network 2
Internet
• A “network of networks”
• At the network layer (OSI layer 3)
– Layer 3 interconnection
• Connectivity vs. interoperability
– Connectivity: message packet exchange
– Interoperability: application language translation
• Syntax
• Lexicon
• Semantics
• Now: take the Internet logic to the next stage
– Gateway: application layer (OSI layer 7)
Solution
• ISO/IEC 15045 Gateway
– Defines generalized gateway architecture
– Modular and distributed structure
– Integrates with voice, video, and data services
• ISO/IEC 18012 Guidelines for Interoperability
– Translates between dissimilar networks
– At the OSI Application layer (layer 7)
– All protocols and languages accommodated
Gateways!
Gateway
Gateway
Public Safety
Network (FM,
P25,SDR)
JTRS Military
Network (over
30 air interfaces)
Gateway
Federal
Gateway
Tribal
State
Allies
Same MILDEP
Local
Gateway
U.S.
Gateway
Commercial
Wireless Networks
(2G, 3G, SDR)
Different MILDEP
Rest of World
Common Interoperability Framework
(ISO/IEC 18012)
Abstract Intermediate Language
(AIL)
GIWF #1
#1 <> AIL
GIWF #2
#1 <> AIL
GIWF #3
#1 <> AIL
GIWF #4
#1 <> AIL
System #1
System #2
System #3
System #4
GIWF = Generic Interworking Function
Gateway Architecture
(generalized)
Wide Area Networks
Local Area Networks
WAN 1
WAN 1 Interface
LAN 1 Interface
LAN 1
WAN 2
WAN 2 Interface
LAN 2 Interface
LAN 2
WAN 3
WAN 3 Interface
LAN 3 Interface
LAN 3
Domain of
Gateway Standard
Gateway Intermediate Bus
and Protocol
Encryption Services
Minimal Network Services
Authentication Services
Enhanced Network Services
Other Security Services
Other Services
Core Framework
Gateway Architecture
(Home Networking Example)
Wide Area Access Networks
Local Area Networks
Cable TV
DOCSIS Interface
MPEG-Video
IEEE 1394
Telephone
DSL Interface
VoIP Interface
WiFi
WiMAX
Receive Interface
Data Router
Ethernet
Domain of
Gateway Standard
Gateway Intermediate Bus
and Protocol
Automatic Meter Reading
Health/Medical Monitoring
Personal Vidoe Recorder
Energy Management
Security/Firewall Services
Network Management
Core Framework
The JTSR example
• Sound architectural concept
– SCA—Software Communications Architecture
– Software-based—re-usable hardware
– Modular “waveforms” for expandability
• But…
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Radio only
Few waveforms—need to add new technology faster
No connection to other new & legacy networks
Need WNW—Wideband Network Waveform
Costs out of control
Delays in implementation
JTRS Set Architecture
(Software Radio Networking Example)
Waveforms
WNW
Minimal Network Services
Core Framework
Programmable Radio Hardware
JTRS Gateway Architecture
(Software Radio Networking Example)
Radio Set Waveforms
WNW Waveforms
SINCGARS
Waveform 1
WNW Interface 1
GIG
EPLRS
Waveform 2
WNW Interface 2
Internet
HAVEQUICK
Waveform 3
WNW Interface 3
C2
Domain of
Gateway Standard
Gateway Intermediate Bus
and Protocol
Encryption Services
Minimal Network Services
Authentication Services
Enhanced Network Services
Other Security Services
Other Services
Core Framework
Thank you,
Questions
?
Timothy Schoechle, PhD
CyberLYNX Technology Corporation
Boulder, Colorado, USA
www.cyberlynx.com
+1 303-443-5490