Managing cellular network signaling traffic using helper nodes
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Date
2016
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
RUFORUM
Abstract
There is a tremendous uptake of smartphones and other mobile devices that has made
mobile apps more popular. Many of these mobile apps are network enabled and can transfer
or receive data to/from the network through the signaling process. Mobile and cellular
networks are experiencing increased signaling traffic majorly caused by apps running on
mobile devices attached to these networks. The signaling traffic is outpacing mobile data
traffic by 30-50% and if not handled appropriately, it can have adverse effects on the cellular
networks by straining them. Also, the excessive signaling can flood the network causing
congestion that may render the network unavailable, or even make it open and vulnerable to
attacks. Consequently, operators are forced to deal with the susceptibility of network outages
resulting from the excessive signaling. Even though attempts have been made by the industry
players to either reduce or handle the volume of signaling traffic, the problem still persists
and is growing as more data-enabled mobile devices are released into the market. In this
paper, we propose the helper node concept; a device in the Middle Model (DMM) to reduce
the signaling traffic volume reaching cellular networks. The model uses helper nodes to
service less critical traffic based on classification by network operators. The simulation
results for the DMM model show that through the helper nodes servicing other nodes in the
network and acting in the relay process, the eventual volume of traffic reaching the core
networks is reduced. This model is cost effective in terms of implementation as opposed to
introducing new radio network transceivers. However, continuous optimization of cellular
network is recommended among other strategies to constantly monitor the volume of signaling
traffic in cellular networks.
Description
Keywords
Cellular networks, Modeling, Smartphones, Signaling, Signal relay
Citation
Oteyo, I. N., & Bainomugisha, E. (2016). Managing cellular network signaling traffic using helper nodes. In Fifth African Higher Education Week and RUFORUM Biennial Conference 2016," Linking agricultural universities with civil society, the private sector, governments and other stakeholders in support of agricultural development in Africa", Cape Town, South Africa, 17-21 October 2016 (pp. 51-63). RUFORUM.