Abstract
<p>Flying networks, composed of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) acting as mobile Base Stations and Access Points, have emerged to provide on-demand wireless connectivity, especially due to their positioning capability. Still, existing solutions are focused on improving aggregate network performance using a best-effort approach. This may compromise the use of multiple services with different performance requirements. Network slicing has emerged in 5G networks to address the problem, allowing to meet different Quality of Service (QoS) levels on top of a shared physical network infrastructure. However, Mobile Network Operators typically use fixed Base Stations to satisfy the requirements of different network slices, which may not be feasible due to limited resources and the dynamism of some scenarios.</p> <p>We propose an algorithm for enabling the joint placement and allocation of communications resources in Slicing-aware Flying Access and Backhaul networks – SurFABle. SurFABle allows the computation of the amount of communications resources needed, namely the number of UAVs acting as Flying Access Points and Flying Gateways, and their placement. The performance evaluation carried out by means of ns-3 simulations and an experimental testbed shows that SurFABle makes it possible to meet heterogeneous QoS levels of multiple network slices using the minimum number of UAVs.</p>

Abstract

Abstract
Over the years, mobile networks were deployed using monolithic hardware based on proprietary solutions. Recently, the concept of open Radio Access Networks (RANs), including the standards and specifications from O-RAN Alliance, has emerged. It aims at enabling open, interoperable networks based on independent virtualized components connected through open interfaces. This paves the way to collect metrics and to control the RAN components by means of software applications such as the O-RAN-specified xApps. We propose a private standalone network leveraged by a mobile RAN employing the O-RAN architecture. The mobile RAN consists of a radio node (gNB) carried by a Mobile Robotic Platform autonomously positioned to provide on-demand wireless connectivity. The proposed solution employs a novel Mobility Management xApp to collect and process metrics from the RAN, while using an original algorithm to define the placement of the mobile RAN. This allows for the improvement of the connectivity offered to the User Equipments.

Abstract
The implementation of traffic differentiation measures by internet service providers (ISPs) has raised concerns regarding net neutrality, potentially leading to discriminatory practices that challenge existing regulatory frameworks. The complexity of this issue intensifies with the advent of 5G networks as they dynamically assemble elements of the physical infrastructure to create logically segregated domains customised to accommodate usage scenarios with specific requirements, resulting in the categorisation of users, applications, and services into distinct groups which possess the capacity to disrupt the non-discriminatory treatment of data flows. Within this context, a pivotal question arises: how can regulatory authorities effectively evaluate traffic differentiation in 5G networks? In response, this paper proposes an innovative application of the standardised network data analytics function (NWDAF) to facilitate the assessment of internet traffic differentiation. We introduce this novel concept and demonstrate its implementation through a proof -of -concept prototype. By leveraging the NWDAF, regulators may obtain direct and automatic access to performance metrics of 5G networks, enabling the analysis of the traffic management mechanisms employed by ISPs.

Abstract
<div>Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as suitable platforms for transporting and positioning communications nodes on demand, including Wi-Fi Access Points and cellular Base Stations. This paved the way for the deployment of flying networks capable of temporarily providing wireless connectivity and reinforcing coverage and capacity of existing networks. Several solutions have been proposed for the positioning of UAVs acting as Flying Access Points (FAPs). Yet, the positioning of Flying Communications Relays (FCRs) in charge of forwarding the traffic to/from the Internet has not received equal attention. In addition, state of the art works are focused on optimizing both the flying network performance and the energy-efficiency from the communications point of view, leaving aside a relevant component: the energy spent for the UAV propulsion.</div><div>We propose the Energy and Performance Aware relay Positioning (EPAP) algorithm. EPAP defines target performance-aware Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) values for the wireless links established between the FCR UAV and the FAPs and, based on that, computes the trajectory to be completed by the FCR UAV so that the energy spent for the UAV propulsion is minimized. EPAP was evaluated in terms of both the flying network performance and the FCR UAV endurance, considering multiple networking scenarios. Simulation results show gains up to 25% in the FCR UAV endurance, while not compromising the Quality of Service offered by the flying network.</div>