Proposal of Dimensioning Methodology to Provision M2M Services on Legacy GPRS and UMTS Cellular Core Networks

Abstract

The dimensioning methodology of machine-to-machine applications over the legacy GPRS and UMTS Packet Switched Core Network presents an effective approach to forecast the network performance of the network resources, and intercept the existence of any potential risks while maintaining an acceptable level of services to human-to-human traditional data services. The dimensioning methodology is based on analysing the throughput contribution of M2M application both in data and signalling traffic on the packet switched network. It required us to study in depth the requirements of M2M applications, their different network architecture, the categorisation of their service applications, their different traffic characteristic, and studying the user plane and control plane of packet switched protocol stacks. The essential part of the dimensioning methodology required the use of an application tool as a software based testbed, to simulate the network environment under different scenarios. These simulation scenarios were built according to traffic characteristic and service requirements of M2M applications, and the simulation results were analysed to give us depth insight about the performance metrics while dimensioning any M2M services to the network. This macro scoping methodology approach will enhance the strategic planning of the data packet switched network, and the transitioning to future evolving M2M application services.