introduction to machine-to-machine (m2m) communications

Department of Communications & Networking, Aalto University

Mar. 11, 2019

Introduction to machine-to-machine (M2M) communications

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Conclusion

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M2M

Applications

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M2M Network

Architecture and

Challenges

Table of Contents

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Introduction

Introduction to M2M Communications

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Machine-type communications (MTC) or machine-to-machine (M2M):automated data communications among devices and the underlying datatransport infrastructure

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Introduction to M2M Communications

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Three main domains of M2M communications:• M2M device domain• communication network domain• application domain.

Network domain of M2M communications:• Cellular communications• Wireless communications• Power line communications• Satellite communications

The M2M application domain:• M2M server

Difference between H2H and M2M Communications

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Difference in data generation, data communication type, data traffic, and service requirements.

H2H communications M2M communications

Difference between M2M and IoT

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Simple definition of Internet of Things (IoT)?Combining data, cloud, connectivity analytics and technology for providing a smart environment

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How does M2M differ from Internet of Things (IoT)?In IoT, machines are communicating to cloud server.

Machine Machine

Machine Machine

Cloud

Advantages of M2M Communications in 3GPP LTE-A Networks

Mobile cellular communications feature several advantages including:• global standard infrastructure• cost-effective connectivity• easy installation and maintenance

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LTE-A EPC and E-UTRAN Overview

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An LTE-A network comprises two parts:• The evolved packet core (EPC), also known as core

network (CN)• the radio access network (RAN)

EPC’s functionalities:• overall control of mobile devices• establishment of IP packet flows

RAN consisting of base stations referred to as evolved node base stations (eNBs)eNB is responsible for: • wireless communications and radio access• air interface for the user equipment (UE) and M2M

deviceThe interface interconnecting the eNBs: X2 The interface connecting eNB to the EPC: S1

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LTE-A EPC and E-UTRAN Overview

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Mobility Management Entity (MME):• managing security functions, roaming, handover, and

handling idle mode user equipment• choosing the S-GW and P-GW for an UE/M2M device at an

initial attach.Serving Gateway (S-GW):• routing and forwarding packets to and from the eNBs and

P-GW.• mobility anchor point for both local inter-eNB handover

and inter-3GPP mobility.Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW):• providing connectivity from the UE/M2M device to an PDN

by assigning an IP address from the PDN to the UE/M2Mdevice

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M2M Communications Over LTE-A Network

• Direct model: Application server (AS) connectingdirectly to an operator network

• Indirect model: The AS connecting indirectly to anoperator network through the services of an servicecapability server (SCS)

• Hybrid model: The AS using both the direct modeland indirect model to connect to the network

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Enhancements in M2M Network Architecture Toward 5G Mobile Systems

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M2M network connectivity solutions toward 5G mobile systems

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M2M Service Requirements

Mechanisms to satisfy service requirements of M2M communications:

1) To lower power consumptions

2) To maintain connectivity for a large number of M2M devices

3) To reduce the congestion and system overload problem

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Challenges in enabling M2M Communications in LTE-A Networks: Challenge 1

Therefore, in M2M communications, providing diverse QoS guarantees is the most

important requirement.

Important

Such enormously diverse QoS requirements perplexes the design of the radio resource allocation algorithms for M2M

communications in next generation wireless (NGW) networks.

Important

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Challenges in Enabling M2M Communications in LTE-A Networks: Challenge 2

The LTE-A networks were designed for wideband applications only.

Resource block in the LTE-A system. 14

In M2M communications transactions at each M2M device are usually dominated by a small amount of data, leading to an inefficient utilization of radio resources.

Challenges in Enabling M2M Communications in LTE-A Networks: Challenge 3

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Challenges in Enabling M2M Communications in LTE-A Networks: Challenge 4Another important issue in enabling M2M in LTE-A wireless networks is congestion and system overload problem.

Therefore, to avoid RAN overload, new cellular access

mechanism and signaling design are required.

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Challenges in Enabling M2M Communications in LTE-A Networks: Challenge 5

Contention-based random access in LTE-A networks

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Connection establishment procedure before sending theinformation data adding signaling overhead to theinformation data

Challenges in Enabling M2M Communications in LTE-A Networks (1-6)

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LTE NB-IoT for M2M Communications

LTE NB-IoT:• low-cost device• long battery life• deployment of a large number of devices

Network deployment for NB-IoT: • stand-alone• in-band• guard-band mode

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Challenges in enabling M2M Communications in 5th Generation (5G) Wireless Networks: Challenge 1

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Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) is one of three sets of use cases defined for 5G.

Within eMBB use cases there are three distinct attributes 5G will need to deliver:

• Higher capacity broadband access in densely populated areas

• Enhanced connectivity broadband access available everywhere for consistent user experience

• Higher user mobility enabling services in moving vehicles including cars, buses, trains, and planes

Challenges in enabling M2M Communications in 5th Generation (5G) Wireless Networks: Challenge 2

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Supporting massive number of M2M devices and random access channel congestion

Solutions:

• Defining new physical random access channel (PRACH) for M2M

• Dynamic PRACH resource allocation based on traffic conditions

• Performing priority based channel access

• Access class barring for non-time-critical MTC devices

• A pull-based scheme to page MTC devices to send their request on PRACH

• A group-based operations of M2M devices identified by a unique identifier

Challenges in enabling M2M Communications in 5th Generation (5G) Wireless Networks: Challenge 3

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Providing ultra-reliable communications with low-latency:

• Persistent scheduling to provide low-latency connection for real-time controlapplications

• Reliable communications for exchanging data between MTC devices in closeproximity

• New coding methods for handling short packets designed for finite block length

• Massive multi input multi output (MIMO) for providing reliable links

• A new medium access control (MAC) scheme for handling event-based ultrareliable communications

• Providing ultra-reliable communications for safety critical systems by using D2Dcommunications and ad-hoc networking

Challenges in enabling M2M Communications in 5th Generation (5G) Wireless Networks: Challenge 4

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Achieving low power consumption:

• Energy efficiency is a decisive metric for choosing a radio technology

Challenges in enabling M2M Communications in 5th Generation (5G) Wireless Networks: Challenge 5

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Solutions:• Modifying signaling and MAC protocols, with the aim of reducing the time that a radio should be turned on

• Aggregating the control information and sending them only when data transmission is scheduled

• Allowing longer discontinuous reception (DRX) sleeping periods

• Deploying MTC gateways for reducing power consumption

• Defining a new communication state for MTC devices

• Supporting D2D communications between nearby MTC devices

M2M Applications

M2M applications in e-Health:

1) tracking and monitoring of patients and drugs

2) identification and authentication of patients in hospitals

3) automatic medical data collection and retrieving

e-Health

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M2M Applications

• Smart homes, offices, and shops

• Smart lighting

• Green environment

Smart environment

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M2M Applications

• Logistic services

• M2M assisted driving

• Fleet management

• e-Ticketing and passenger services

• Smart parking

• Smart car counting

• Journey time estimation

Intelligent transportation

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Smart parking M2M assisted driving

e-Ticketing Logistic services

Conclusion

• M2M network architecture in LTE and 5G networks

• Entities such as SCS and MTC-IWF for enhancements in M2M network architecture in 5G networks

• Challenges in enabling M2M communications in LTE such as random access congestion and signaling overhead

• eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC as three use cases in 5G networks for enabling M2M communications

• M2M applications in e-Health, smart environment, and intelligent transportation

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End

Thank You

References

[1] F. Ghavimi and H. H. Chen, “M2M Communications in 3GPP LTE/LTE-A Networks: Architectures, ServiceRequirements, Challenges, and Applications”, IEEE Commun. Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 525-549, May.2015.

[2] H. Shariatmadari et al, “Machine-type communications: current status and future perspectives toward 5Gsystem”, IEEE Commun. Magazine, vol. 53, no. 9, pp. 10-17, Sep. 2015.

[3] T. Taleb and A. Kunz, “Machine-type communications in 3GPP networks: potential, challenges, and solutions”,IEEE Commun. Mag., vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 178-184, Mar. 2012.

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