Intelligent future wireless networks for energy efficiency. Overall analysis and standardization activities

This book chapter addresses a number of issues related to standardization and regulatory policies aiming at promoting energy-efficient communications (both wired and wireless) and networking, highlighting the need for a synergic approach. It encompasses the analysis of various solutions supporting sophisticated energy management within each layer of the OSI stack model in the con- text of wireless networking, as well as the overview of cross-layer energy-efficient applications. In every part of this chapter, adequate references to the corresponding standardization activities on the European and global level have been identified. Finally, the steps toward implementation of energy- efficient networking solutions by means of CR technologies are presented. The rest of the chapter is arranged as follows. First, the role of separate OSI layers on energy consumption is discussed, with particular emphasis put on the holistic view on the whole processing done in these layers. Then, the mutual dependencies between the neighboring layers are analyzed from the perspective of energy saving. This layer-centric and cross-layer discussion is followed by the presentation of the current challenges and opportunities of the future wireless systems. Finally, in that light, ongoing standardization activities are presented.