arXiv subjects

Luis M. Contreras

Publications and source records attributed to Luis M. Contreras.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Modular Multi-Domain Digital Twin Architecture: Sustainable Intent-Driven 6G Management

Future 6G networks will operate across distributed and heterogeneous domain infrastructures, making conventional single-domain management insufficient for proactive, trustworthy automation. Network Digital Twins (NDTs) enable what-if analysis, AI-assisted optimization, and risk-free validation of control actions before deployment, yet monolithic end-to-end twins remain impractical due to scalability, fidelity, and cross-domain coordination challenges. Accordingly, this paper proposes a Digital Twin-enabled 6G architecture that exposes NDT capabilities as a specialized service domain within a multi-domain orchestration framework built on a state-of-the-art service-based 6G architecture. A DT Orchestrator interprets \textit{predictive} and \textit{prescriptive} what-if queries and composes domain-specific DT modules and simulators on demand, while decision authority remains with the requesting entity. Furthermore, a generalized workflow covers telemetry synchronization, simulation-based decision support, and closed-loop execution. The framework is demonstrated through a green-networking use case that couples a system-level O-RAN cellular digital twin component with a two-stage solar-allocation simulator, evaluated over a 105-base-station deployment in Poznan using simulative datasets. Joint coverage and renewable optimization reduces daily grid consumption by 28.5\% with 32 solar panels at the diminishing-returns threshold, with 17 base stations identified as both coverage-active and high-priority solar candidates as evidence that cross-domain NDT coordination enables sustainable, intent-driven 6G network management.

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arXiv2026

Towards Scalable Federated Container Orchestration: The CODECO Approach

This paper presents CODECO, a federated orchestration framework for Kubernetes that addresses the limitations of cloud-centric deployment. CODECO adopts a data-compute-network co-orchestration approach to support heterogeneous infrastructures, mobility, and multi-provider operation. CODECO extends Kubernetes with semantic application models, partition-based federation, and AI-assisted decision support, enabling context-aware placement and adaptive management of applications and their micro-services across federated environments. A hybrid governance model combines centralized policy enforcement with decentralized execution and learning to preserve global coherence while supporting far Edge autonomy. The paper describes the architecture and core components of CODECO, outlines representative orchestration workflows, and introduces a software-based experimentation framework for reproducible evaluation in federated Edge-Cloud infrastructure environments.

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arXiv2024

Towards Deep Application-Network Integration: Architectures, Progress and Opportunities

With the rise of a new generation of applications (e.g., virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, etc) demanding stringent performance requirements, the need for networking solutions and architectures that can enable a higher Quality of Experience (QoE) is becoming increasingly important. While jointly optimizing application and network may increase the applications' QoE and simultaneously improve the utilization of network resources, such a paradigm has had limited success in real production networks. However, with the combination of revolutionary trends in (1) compute processing demands, (2) networking capabilities, and (3) sustainable business models, it is high time the community explores the full potential of deeper integration between application and network. In this paper, recent trends observed over the past few years are systematically reviewed. These include the paradigm shift in modern communication services towards computing-driven applications, such as on-site AI training, advances in programmable network technologies like Software Defined Networking (SDN), and new business models incentivizing collaboration and cooperation between parties. Following this, successful scenarios that benefit from various forms of deeper network-application integration are reported, highlighting their considerable potential. A unified framework is then introduced, providing an overview of possible architecture paradigms for network-application integration and bringing awareness to existing abstractions, mechanisms, tools, and their potential combinations. The paper concludes with a discussion of several remaining challenges in building practical network-application integrated systems.

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arXiv2021

OPlaceRAN -- a Placement Orchestrator for Virtualized Next-Generation of Radio Access Network

The fifth-generation mobile evolution enables transformations on Next-Generation Radio Access Networks (NG-RAN). The RAN protocol stack is split into eight disaggregated options combined in three network units, i.e., Central, Distributed, and Radio. Besides that, further advances allow the RAN functions to be virtualized on top of general-purpose hardware, using the concept of virtualized RAN (vRAN). The Combination of NG-RAN and vRAN results in vNG-RAN, which enables the management of the disaggregated units and protocols as a set of radio functions. However, the orchestration-based placement of these radio functions is a challenging issue since the best decision can be determined by multiple constraints involving RAN disaggregation, crosshaul networks requirements, availability of computational resources, etc. This article proposes OPlaceRAN, a vNG-RAN deployment orchestrator framed within the NFV reference architecture and aligned with the Open RAN initiative. OPlaceRAN supports the dynamic placement of radio functions focusing on vNG-RAN planning and is designed to be agnostic to the placement optimization model. To validate OPlaceRAN, we developed a prototype based on up-to-date cloud-native tools to deploy RAN using containerized virtualization using the OpenAirInterface emulator and considering two distinct functional splits (options 2 and 6). The evaluation is tested as proofs-of-concept in a real computing infrastructure using two different placement solutions. Our results reveal that OPlaceRAN is an effective cloud-native solution for containerized network functions placement and agnostic to the optimization model. Additionally, OPlaceRAN is up-to-date with the most advanced vNG-RAN design and development approaches, contributing to the evolution of the fifth-generation of mobile networks.

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arXiv2021

On Slice Isolation Options in the Transport Network and Associated Feasibility Indicators

Isolation is one of the more relevant attributes associated to the idea of network slicing, introduced by 5G services. Through isolation it is expected that slices from different customers could gracefully coexist without interfering each other, in the sense that whatever misbehavior or unforeseen demand from one slice customer could not affect the communication service received by any other slice customer supported atop the same physical transport infrastructure. This paper surveys and compare different technical approaches that can be taken for providing distinct isolation levels in the transport network, as a major component of end-to-end network slices. Furthermore, a number of isolation feasibility indicators are defined and proposed. These indicators are based on the approaches referred before, as a mean of guiding orchestration decisions at the time of provisioning or reconfiguring the transport slices in the network.

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arXiv2021

PlaceRAN: Optimal Placement of Virtualized Network Functions in the Next-generation Radio Access Networks

The fifth-generation mobile evolution enables several transformations on Next Generation Radio Access Networks (NG-RAN). The RAN protocol stack is splitting into eight possible disaggregated options combined into three network units, i.e., Central, Distributed, and Radio. Besides that, further advances allow the RAN software to be virtualized on top of general-purpose vendor-neutral hardware, dealing with the concept of virtualized RAN (vRAN). The disaggregated network units initiatives reach full interoperability based on the Open RAN (O-RAN). The combination of NG-RAN and vRAN results in vNG-RAN, enabling the management of disaggregated units and protocols as a set of radio functions. The placement of these functions is challenging since the best decision can be based on multiple constraints, such as the RAN protocol stack split, routing paths of transport networks with restricted bandwidth and latency requirements, different topologies and link capabilities, asymmetric computational resources, etc. This article proposes the first exact model for the placement optimization of radio functions for vNG-RAN planning, named PlaceRAN. The main objective is to minimize the computing resources and maximize the aggregation of radio functions. The PlaceRAN evaluation considered two realistic network topologies. Our results reveal that the PlaceRAN model achieves an optimized high-performance aggregation level, it is flexible for RAN deployment overcoming the network restrictions, and it is up to date with the most advanced vNG-RAN design and development.

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arXiv2019

The use of 5G Non-Public Networks to support Industry 4.0 scenarios

The on-going digital transformation is key to progress towards a new generation of more efficient, sustainable and connected industrial systems allowing the so-called factories of the future. This new generation, commonly referred to as industry 4.0, will be accompanied by a new wave of use cases that will allow companies from logistics and manufacturing sectors to increase flexibility, productivity and usability in the industrial processes executed within their factory premises. Unlike typical use cases from other vertical sectors (e.g. energy, media, smart cities), industry 4.0 use cases will bring very stringent requirements in terms of latency, reliability and high-accuracy positioning. The combination of 5G technology with enterprise network solutions becomes crucial to satisfy these requirements in indoor, private environments. In this context, the concept of 5G non-public networks has emerged. In this article we provide an overview of 5G non-public networks, studying their applicability to the industry 4.0 ecosystem. On the basis of the work (being) developed in 3GPP Release 16 specifications, we identify a number of deployment options relevant for non-public networks, and discuss their integration with mobile network operators' public networks. Finally, we provide a comparative analysis of these options, assessing their feasibility according to different criteria, including technical, regulatory and business aspects. The outcome of this analysis will help industry players interested in using non-public networks to decide which is the most appropriate deployment option for their use cases.

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