Network Architecture Design Toward Convergence of Mobile Applications and Networks

Mobile communications networks are faced with gigantic challenges in meeting diversified service requirements. A tight coordination, or even convergence, of applications and mobile networks is required for the optimization of end-to-end quality of service and quality of experience (QoE). In this article, a multi-domain (e.g., application layer, transport layer, core network, radio access network, and user equipment) coordination scheme is presented, which facilitates a tight coordination between applications and networks for the current 5G networks. Toward the convergence of applications and networks, a network architecture with cross-domain coordination center (CDCC) is further proposed for 6G and beyond, which utilizes information from all the domains to optimize the end-to-end service provision. The benefits of the CDCC-enabled base station scheduling are further investigated via simulations. A new QoE-oriented fairness metric is proposed, which is capable of ensuring better fairness when different services are scheduled. Future research directions and their standardization impacts are also identified. Toward optimized end-to-end service provision, the paradigm shift from loosely coupled to converged design of applications and wireless communication networks is indispensable.