IEEE P1900.4 Standard: Reconfiguration of multi-radio systems

The field of application of the IEEE P1900.4 standard is radio systems forming a composite wireless network, i.e., comprising multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs), which may be using different Radio Access Technologies (RATs). This composite wireless network is assumed to be operated by either a single or several operators. End-user terminals in P1900.4 are generally assumed to be multimode/multihoming, supporting several RATs and with multi-radio link capabilities, also possessing some cognitive radio capability such as flexible operation in different frequency bands. There are, however, conceivable scenarios where the P1900.4 standard would still be applicable even if terminals possessed limited such capabilities. At the core of the IEEE P1900.4 standard, Reconfiguration Management Entities (RMEs) are defined, located on terminal and network sides. The network side RME manages the terminal indirectly, but by providing/collecting context information and providing Radio Recourse usage policies to terminals. The terminal side RME makes final decisions regarding selection of the most appropriate RAT/RAN, band, etc., thereby also triggering the corresponding radio link reconfigurations in the terminal. Of course, all such decisions made by the terminal RME must be within the remit of policies conveyed by the network RME. This paper introduces the activities and work under progress within the IEEE P1900.4 working group.