Interactions between intelligent multimodal terminals and a network management system in a B3G context

This work addresses aspects relevant to the optimal joint exploitation of heterogeneous wireless networks in an ‘all‐IP’ integrated infrastructure, frequently called ‘Beyond 3G Systems’ (B3G) or composite radio networks. After briefly reviewing general architectural aspects pertaining to such systems, the paper focuses to the management functionality possessed by B3G systems and highlights the benefits that stem from sharing intelligence among the hybrid network (through a network management system) and the multimodal wireless terminals. In particular, the paper discusses an appropriate signaling protocol for the exchange of information between management modules at the network and the wireless terminal, investigates associated performance aspects and correlates the relevant findings with measurement results obtained from experiments over a prototype B3G network testbed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.