SDN⁃Based Data Offloading for 5G Mobile Networks

[Abstract] The rapid growth of 3G/4G enabled devices such as smartphones and tablets in large numbers has created increased demand for mobile data services. Wi⁃Fi offloading helps satisfy the requirements of data⁃rich applications and terminals with improved multimedia. Wi⁃Fi is an essential approach to alleviating mobile data traffic load on a cellular network because it provides extra capacity and improves overall performance. In this paper, we propose an integrated LTE/Wi⁃Fi architecture with software⁃defined networking (SDN) abstraction in mobile backhaul and enhanced components that facilitate the move towards next⁃generation 5G mobile networks. Our proposed architecture enables programmable offloading policies that take into account real⁃time network conditions as well as the status of devices and applications. This mechanism improves overall network performance by deriving real⁃time policies and steering traffic between cellular and Wi⁃Fi networks more efficiently.

[Keywords] mobile data offloading; LTE/Wi⁃Fi interworking; policy derivation; network selection; software⁃defined networking; dynamic policies; 5G mobile networks