DAWN - Data-driven network controller and orchestrator for real-time network management

Status
Ongoing
Activity Code
3A.108
Objectives

The DAWN project develops and implements techniques and algorithms that allow automated network control and management based on
•    network-generated information – data-driven networking –,
•    users' data – context-awareness –, and 
•    measured and predicted performance of the network.
In addition to validating the performance of the algorithms through simulation DAWN also validates the proposed data driven techniques in the integrated 5G satellite-terrestrial test bed of SATis5.

Challenges

The work programme of DAWN focuses on addressing systematically the following challenges. Firstly, meaningful use cases need to be selected and a reference architecture drawn up. Next, key performance indicators need to be defined, alongside the detailed placement of functionality and the analysis of AI/ML based algorithms. A methodology to assess the AI/ML solutions needs to be devised. Finally, the implementation needs to be tested and validated in a large scale testbed and through over-the-air demonstrations.

Regarding automation, resource federation and network control the DAWN approach relies on existing APIs as much as possible to facilitate smoother acceptance by the commercial market. However, when needed these APIs will be extended with additional functionalities.

As a final challenge, we plan to use DAWN results to steer standardization.

Benefits

DAWN is expected to provide valuable insight regarding which performance aspects of networks can be addressed using machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques, identify candidate algorithms and approaches and provide an initial assessment of the scale of improvement that can be achieved using such techniques. All this verified in a large scale over the air testbed.

Features

The DAWN project develops and implements techniques and algorithms that allow automated network control and management based on
•    network-generated information – data-driven networking –,
•    users' data – context-awareness –, and 
•    measured and predicted performance of the network.

Regarding automation, resource federation and network control the DAWN approach relies on existing APIs as much as possible to facilitate smoother acceptance by the commercial market. However, when needed these APIs will be extended with additional functionalities.

System Architecture
DAWN system architecture
Concept of DAWN with simplified system architecture

 

Plan

The DAWN work programme is planned to last 15 months and is structured in two phases. The first phase is planned for 6 months concluding with a design review. The second phase is planned to run for 9 months with a final review at the end.

Current status

The project is in its initial phase.

Prime Contractor
Subcontractors