RSS: The Reconfiguration Support Subsystem for Next-Generation Mobile Networks

The technological race of boosting legacy and developing new air-interfaces, recent advancement of core network architectures, and evolution from software-defined and cognitive radio to reconfigurable systems put new complexions on the definition of "next-generation". This contribution envisages Next-Generation Mobile Networks as the class of multi-radio cognitive systems capable of absorbing the heterogeneity of wireless access, with advanced reconfiguration capabilities moved from edges to the core. Inline with 3GPP IMS rationale and ETSI TISPAN design extensions, a unified subsystem for offering reconfiguration services is proposed, adopting a multiplane and layer-based approach with clear separation of control and management concerns. The paper presents the signalling between the terminal and network elements in the course of an exemplary staged reconfiguration process, and discusses design and deployment advantages when introducing the so-called Reconfiguration Support Subsystem in Beyond 3G portfolios.