We propose an auxiliary strategy, called per-user caching, for locating users who move from place to place while using Personal Communications Services (PCS). The caching strategy augments the basic location strategy proposed in existing standards such as GSM and IS-41, with the objective of reducing network signaling and database loads in exchange for increased CPU processing and memory costs. Since technology trends are driving the latter costs down, the auxiliary strategy will become increasingly attractive. The idea behind caching is to reuse the information about a called user's location for subsequent calls to that user, and is useful for those users who receive calls frequently relative to the rate at which they change registration areas. This idea attempts to exploit the spatial and temporal locality in calls received by users, similar to the idea of exploiting locality of file access in computer systems. We use a reference PCS architecture and the notion of a user's local call-to-mobility ratio (LCMR) to quantify the costs and benefits of using caching and classes of users for whom it would be beneficial. We also present two simple algorithms for estimating users' LCMR and the situation in which each is preferable. We show that under a variety of assumptions caching is likely to yield significant net benefits in terms of reduced signaling network traffic and database loads.>

The paper analyses and simulates the impact of providing voice and non-voice personal communications services (PCS) on the volume of network database transactions. A number of activities in PCS, such as user mobility and call origination and delivery, require data management functions. These include mobility registration, radio channel management, service profile query, security-related functions such as authentication and privacy, and special billing arrangements. A large portion of these data management activities may be performed using elements of the intelligent network such as switches (e.g., service switching point or SSP) and network databases (e.g., service control point or SCP). The authors extend the single logical database model to include data partitioning into multiple databases. This model is helpful in case a single database is inadequate to handle all the transaction volume generated due to PCS. They give a first-cut analysis using such a model. A simulation framework is described for data management under various scenarios. This work pertains mainly to data management. In addition, qualitative effects of data partitioning on signaling traffic are outlined.>

The use of SCM (subcarrier multiplexing) transmission to deliver broadcast analog video signals within a CPN (customer premises network) as an overlay to an all-digital B-ISDN (broadband integrated services digital network) is considered. The feasibility of a proposal where the analog and digital signals are carried on different wavelengths is shown. An architecture for an optical CPN, termed H-Bus and incorporating emerging broadband SONET and ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) standards, is taken as a baseline for the delivery of switched digital, two-way voice, data, and video services. An optical overlay for the distribution of analog, broadcast video services using subcarrier multiplexing is considered. Several key alternatives associated with the delivery of broadcast video services are assessed, including signal quality, number of simultaneous channels, number of user terminals to be served, and modulation format. These issues are considered in terms of their impact on the interface with the public local exchange network and on the complexity, topology, and cost of the CPN.>