Software-Defined Networking Meets Software-Defined Radio in Mobile ad hoc Networks: State of the Art and Future Directions

Abstract

The aims of this survey article are to elaborate on cross-layer optimization, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Software-Defined Radio (SDR) as separate domains of wireless network design for which a unified view has not been adequately considered to date and present lessons learned, with a view towards the challenges associated with SDN-SDR interaction that would facilitate benefits in crosslayer optimization of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). We focus on MANETs because (i) they are still at the forefront of technology, and in some scenarios they are the only meaningful option for establishing communication; (ii) they expose the full potential and benefits of coexistence and interaction of SDN and SDR, in terms of optimizing key performance indicators. While SDN and SDR are mature technologies, their interaction and joint consideration have been largely overlooked. Current SDN approaches do not span the physical (PHY) and medium-access control (MAC) layers, but they rather concentrate on network-level routing and traffic flow optimization. As a result, PHY-and MAC-layer related parameters which notoriously affect key network performance metrics remain static or at best are adapted based on some heuristic or local approaches. On the other hand, the reach of SDR architectures is restricted to the PHY and MAC layers. We discuss the state of the art of cross-layer optimization, SDN and SDR, and current challenges associated with coexistence and interaction of SDN and SDR. Such an interaction would extend the span of SDN to PHY and MAC layers and lead to realizations of centralized approaches across all layers so as to control and optimize parameters, towards global network objectives. It would also create a bridge between centralized network control that is inherent in SDN and the distributed nature of MANETs, with the add-on features of flexible and fast PHY and MAC layer adaptation offered by SDR, for solid, autonomous and ultimately better network control implementations that span all layers, towards realizing and implementing the holy grail of real cross-layer optimization.INDEX TERMS Software-defined networking (SDN), software-defined radio (SDR), coexistence, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), cross-layer design and optimization.

Opportunistic coding across on‐route dominating nodes in a flow‐oriented SDN enabled WSN

“…Furthermore, the controller exploits coding opportunities at dominant nodes to reduce transmission counts during communication in the network. Repeated packet encoding during transmissions through sensory nodes reduces packet delay which is demonstrated by Szab et al 24 In the literature, various applications of SDN‐enabled WSN are deployed in a range of environments and confirmed the improvement in different evaluation metrics 25–29 . Network coding is susceptible to security issues, even though opportunistic coding with SDN architecture is better suitable for futuristic networks, such as 5G 30,31 .…”

“…Repeated packet encoding during transmissions through sensory nodes reduces packet delay which is demonstrated by Szab et al 24 In the literature, various applications of SDN-enabled WSN are deployed in a range of environments and confirmed the improvement in different evaluation metrics. [25][26][27][28][29] Network coding is susceptible to security issues, even though opportunistic coding with SDN architecture is better suitable for futuristic networks, such as 5G. 30,31 The usage of SDN somehow addresses the security issues in the candidate wireless ad hoc networks.…”

An adaptive read/write optimized algorithm for Ceph heterogeneous systems via performance prediction and multi-attribute decision making

“…Liberato et al [22] proposed residuedefined networking architecture as a new approach for enabling key features like ultra-reliable and low-latency communication in Micro Datacenters networks. Kafetzis [23] et al introduced a bridge called SDR between centralized network control inherent in SDN and the distributed nature of MANETs. The SDR offers the add-on features of flexible and fast PHY and MAC layer adaptation.…”

Cross layer protocol architecture for spectrum‐based routing in cognitive radio networks

“…The MAC layer also has a "dynamic route neighbour discovery table." A "Broad Route Distributed Time slot Assignment" method is applied to the cross-layered sensor system after the route for packet F I G U R E 1 Architecture of sensor node [3].…”