Research Interests

QoS in computer networks:

• QoS and energy-efficiency oriented scheduling algorithms for packet networks
• Performance Evaluation of computer networks
• Wireless Networks (LTE, LTE Advanced, 5G, Space Networks)

SimuLTE Project
An OMNeT++ based LTE/LTE-Advanced user-plane simulator and simulation model, compatible with the INET Framework.

• Official Web Page: http://simulte.com
• Source Code on GitHub

Publications

Book Chapters

1. R. Riebl, G. Nardini, A. Virdis "Simulating LTE-Enabled Vehicular Communications", in Recent Advances in Network Simulation, Springer, Cham, pp. 407-422, May 2019
2. A. Virdis, G. Nardini, G. Stea "Cellular-Networks Simulation Using SimuLTE", in Recent Advances in Network Simulation, Springer, Cham, pp. 183-214, May 2019
3. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "Geofenced broadcasts via centralized scheduling of device-to-device communications in LTE-Advanced", Springer Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS), vol. 825, ISBN 978-3-319-91631-6, 2018
4. A. Virdis, G. Stea, G. Nardini, "Simulating LTE/LTE-Advanced Networks with SimuLTE", DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-26470-7_5, in: M.S. Obaidat, J. Kacprzyk, T. Ören, J. Filipe, (eds.) "Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications", Volume 402 of the series Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, pp. 83-105, Springer, ISBN 978-3-319-26469-1, 15 January 2016

International Journals (peer reviewed)

1. F. De Vita, G. Nardini, A. Virdis, D. Bruneo, A. Puliafito, G. Stea, "A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach for Data Migration in Multi-access Edge Computing", IEEE Communication Standards Magazine, to appear, 2019
2. C. Vallati, A. Virdis, M. Gesi, N. Carbonaro, A. Tognetti, "ePhysio: a wearables-enabled platform for the remote management of musculoskeletal diseases", Sensors 2019, Volume 19, Issue 1, 2, DOI: 10.3390/s19010002.
3. G. Nardini, A. Virdis, G. Stea, "Modeling network-controlled device-to-device communications in SimuLTE", MDPI Sensors, 18(10), 3551, DOI: 10.3390/s18103551, 2018
4. D. Sabella, P. Serrano, G. Stea, A. Virdis, I. Tinnirello, F. Giuliano, D. Garlisi, P. Vlacheas, P. Demestichas, V. Foteinos, N. Bartzoudis, M. Payaró, "Designing the 5G Network Infrastructure: a Flexible and Reconfigurable Architecture Based on Context and Content Information", EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking, 2018:199, DOI: 10.1186/s13638-018-1215-1 (2018)
5. G. Nardini, A. Virdis, C. Campolo, A. Molinaro, G. Stea, "Cellular-V2X Communications for Platooning: Design and Evaluation" MDPI Sensors, 18(5), 1527; DOI: 10.3390/s18051527, 2018
6. A. Virdis, C. Vallati, G. Nardini, G. Tanganelli, G. Stea, E. Mingozzi, "D2D Communications for Large-Scale Fog Platforms: Enabling Direct M2M Interactions", IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, 2018, DOI: 10.1109/MVT.2017.2775560
7. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, A. Frangioni, L. Galli, D. Sabella, G.M. Dell'Aera, "Practical feasibility, scalability and effectiveness of coordinated scheduling algorithms in cellular networks towards 5G", Elsevier Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 106C pp. 1-16, doi 10.1016/j.jnca.2018.01.007, 2018 [class B]
8. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "A scalable data-plane architecture for one-to-one device-to-device communications in LTE-Advanced", Elsevier Computer Networks 131, Feb. 2018, pp. 77-95, doi: 10.1016/j.comnet.2017.12.006
9. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "A fast and reliable broadcast service for LTE-Advanced exploiting multihop device-to-device transmissions", Future Internet, 2017, 9(4), 89, doi: 10.3390/fi9040089
10. A. Virdis, G. Stea, D. Sabella, M. Caretti, "A distributed power-saving framework for LTE HetNets exploiting Almost Blank Subframes", IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, Vol. 1, issue 3, September 2017, DOI: 10.1109/TGCN.2017.2714205
11. A. Virdis, G. Stea, D. Sabella, M. Caretti, "A practical framework for energy-efficient node activation in heterogeneous LTE networks", Mobile Information Systems, Article ID 2495934, 17 pages, 2017 doi:10.1155/2017/2495934 [Class D]
12. C. Vallati, A. Virdis, E. Mingozzi, G. Stea, "MEC come home! Connecting things in future smart homes using LTE D2D communications", IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine, October 2016, pp.77-83, DOI: 10.1109/MCE.2016.2590100
13. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, D. Sabella, M. Caretti, "Resource allocation for network-controlled device-to-device communications in LTE-Advanced", Springer Wireless Networks, 23(3), pp. 787-804, DOI: 10.1007/s11276-016-1193-3, March 2017 [Class A]
14. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, D. Sabella, M. Caretti, "Practical large-scale coordinated scheduling in LTE-Advanced networks", Springer Wireless Networks, Volume 22, Issue 1, pp. 11-31, January 2016, DOI: 10.1007/s11276-015-0948-6 [Class A]
15. G. Stea, A. Virdis, "A comprehensive simulation analysis of LTE Discontinuous Reception (DRX)", Elsevier Computer Networks, 73 (2014), pp.22-40, DOI: 10.1016/j.comnet.2014.07.014 [Class A]

International Conference Proceedings (peer reviewed)

1. A. Virdis, C. Vallati, F. Di Rienzo, N. Carbonaro, A. Tognetti, "Evaluation of off-the-shelf NFC Devices for Biomedical Applications", IEEE RFID-TA 2019, Pisa, Italy, 25-27 September 2019
2. G. Tanganelli, A. Virdis, E. Mingozzi, "Implementation of Software-Defined 6LoWPANs in Contiki OS", IEEE Workshop on Communication, Computing, and Networking in Cyber Physical Systems, June 10, Washington, DC, US.
3. G. Tanganelli, A. Virdis, E. Mingozzi, "Enabling Multi-hop Forwarding in 6LoWPANs through Software-Defined Networking", 20th IEEE International Symposium on a World of Wireless, Mobile and Multimedia Networks (IEEE WoWMoM 2019), June 10-12, 2019 - Washington DC, US.
4. A. Virdis, G. Nardini, G. Stea, "A Framework for MEC-enabled Platooning", CLEEN 2019, Marrakech, Morocco, 15 April 2019
5. D. Bruneo, F. De Vita, A. Puliafito, G. Nardini, A. Virdis, G. Stea, "A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach for Data Migration in Multi-access Edge Computing", 2018 ITU Kaleidoscope: Machine Learning for a 5G Future (ITU K), Santa Fe, Argentina, 2018, pp. 1-8. DOI: 10.23919/ITU-WT.2018.8597889
6. C. Caiazza, A. Virdis, G. Stea, "Simulating LISP-Based Multilink Communications in Aeronautical Networks", OMNeT++ summit 2018, Pisa, Italy, September 2018
7. G. Nardini, A. Virdis, G. Stea, A. Buono, "SimuLTE-MEC: extending SimuLTE for Multi-access Edge Computing", OMNeT++ summit 2018, Pisa, Italy, September 2018
8. G. Nardini, A. Virdis, N. Iardella, A. Frangioni, L. Galli, G. Stea, "Minimizing power consumption in virtualized cellular networks", CLEEN 2018, Porto (PT), June 3 2018
9. A. Virdis, G. Stea, S. La Barbera, R. Winkler, "SAPIENT-Simulator Modelling and Architecture", In Proceedings of the 23rd Ka and Broadband Communications Conference, Trieste, Italy, October 4-6 2017, ISBN:ISSN-2573-6124
10. S. La Barbera, R. Winkler, D. Finocchi, J. Capolicchio, G. Stea, A. Virdis, G. Dini, "SESAR Exploratory Research SAPIENT Project Overview", In Proceedings of the 23rd Ka and Broadband Communications Conference, Trieste, Italy, October 4-6 2017, ISBN:ISSN-2573-6124
11. G. Nardini, A. Virdis, G. Stea, "Simulating Cellular Communications in Vehicular Networks: Making SimuLTE Interoperable with Veins", Proc. of the 4th OMNeT++ Community Summit, University of Bremen - Germany - September 7-8, 2017
12. N. Iardella, G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, A. Frangioni, L. Galli, D. Sabella, F. Mauro, G.M. Dell'Aera, M. Caretti, "A testbed for flexible and energy-efficient resource management with virtualized LTE-A nodes", CLEEN 2017, Turin, Italy, 21-22 June 2017
13. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, A. Frangioni, L. Galli, D. Sabella, G.M. Dell'Aera, "Scalability and energy efficiency of Coordinated Scheduling in cellular networks towards 5G", CLEEN 2017, Turin, Italy, 21-22 June 2017
14. D. Sabella, P.Serrano, G.Stea, A.Virdis, I. Tinnirello, F. Giuliano, D. Garlisi, P. Vlacheas, P. Demestichas, V. Foteinos, N. Bartzoudis, M. Payarò, A. Medela, "A Flexible and Reconfigurable 5G Networking Architecture Based on Context and Content Information", EuCNC 2017, Oulu, Finland, June 12-15, 2017
15. N. Iardella, G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, L. Galli, A. Frangioni, D. Sabella, F. Mauro, G.M. Dell'Aera, M. Caretti, "Flexible dynamic Coordinated Scheduling in Virtual-RAN deployments", FlexNets 2017, Paris, FR, 20th May 2017
16. G. Nardini, A. Virdis, G. Stea, "Simulating Device-to-Device Communications in OMNeT++ with SimuLTE: Scenarios and Configurations", 3rd OMNeT++ Community Summit, BRNO, Czech Republic, September 15-16, 2016
17. A. Virdis, C. Vallati, G. Nardini, "Automating Large-Scale Simulation and Data Analysis with OMNeT++: Lessons Learned and Future Perspectives", 3rd OMNeT++ Community Summit, BRNO, Czech Republic, September 15-16, 2016
18. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, D. Sabella, M. Caretti, "Broadcasting in LTE-Advanced networks using multihop D2D communications", PIMRC 2016, Valencia, September 7-9, 2016
19. G. Nardini, A. Virdis, G. Stea, "Modeling X2 backhauling for LTE-Advanced and assessing its effect on CoMP Coordinated Scheduling", IWSLS2 2016, Vienna, July 1st, 2016
20. A. Virdis, G. Nardini, G. Stea, "Modeling unicast device-to-device communications with SimuLTE", IWSLS2 2016, Vienna, July 1st, 2016
21. N. Iardella, G. Stea, A. Virdis, D. Sabella, A. Frangioni, "Statistically sound experiments with OpenAirInterface Cloud-RAN prototypes", CLEEN 2016, Grenoble, FR, May 2016
22. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, D. Sabella, M. Caretti, "Fast and agile lossless mode switching for D2D communications in LTE-Advanced networks", IEEE VTC Spring 2016, Nanjing, PRC, 15-18 May 2016
23. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "Performance evaluation of TCP-based traffic over direct communications in LTE-Advanced", IEEE VTC Spring 2016, Nanjing, PRC, 15-18 May 2016
24. C. Vallati, A. Virdis, E. Mingozzi, G. Stea, "Exploiting LTE D2D Communications in M2M Fog Platforms: Deployment and Practical Issues", IEEE 2nd World Forum on Internet of Things (WF-IoT), Milan, Italy, 2015
25. A. Virdis, N. Iardella, G. Stea, D. Sabella, "Performance analysis of OpenAirInterface system emulation", PMECT 2015, Rome, Italy, August 26, 2015
26. A. Virdis, G. Stea, G. Nardini, "SimuLTE: A Modular System-level Simulator for LTE/LTE-A Networks based on OMNeT++", SimulTech 2014, Vienna, AT, August 28-30, 2014 - Slides
27. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, D. Sabella, M. Caretti, "Effective dynamic coordinated scheduling in LTE-Advanced networks", EUCNC 2014, Bologna, IT, June 23-26, 2014
28. G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, M. Caretti, D. Sabella, "Improving network performance via optimization-based centralized coordination of LTE-A cells", CLEEN 2014, Istanbul, TK, April 6, 2014

Other Works: Posters, Tutorials, National Conferences (peer reviewed)

1. N. Carbonaro, A. Tognetti, C. Vallati, A. Virdis, M. Gesi, "ePhysio: a platform for self-rehabilitation of musculoskeletal diseases", 4th CINI Annual Conference on ICT for Smart Cities and Communities (I-CiTies 2018), L'Aquila, Italy, 9-21 September, 2018
2. N. Iardella, G. Nardini, G. Stea, A. Virdis, F. Mauro, D. Sabella, M. Caretti, G.M. Dell`Aera, "Coordinated scheduling in a Virtual-RAN prototype with OpenAirInterface", EUCNC 2016, Athens, 27-30 June 2016
3. A. Virdis, "Optimization in the Loop: Implementing and Testing Scheduling Algorithms with SimuLTE", 2nd OMNeT++ Community Summit, IBM Research - Zurich, Switzerland, September 3-4, 2015 - Video
4. A. Virdis, G. Stea, D. Sabella, M. Caretti, "A practical framework for energy-efficient node activation in heterogeneous LTE networks", 5th InfQ Workshop, Torino, Italy, October 2014
5. A. Virdis, G. Stea, "System-level analysis of the tradeoffs between power saving and capacity/QoS with DRX in LTE", 4th InfQ Workshop, Sorrento, Italy, June 2013

Patents

1. M. Caretti, G. Nardini, D. Sabella, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "Radiodiffusione di messaggi per mezzo di trasmissioni da dispositivo a dispositivo", Italian patent application No. 102017000003921, 16/01/2017
2. M. Caretti, G. Nardini, D. Sabella, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "Method and System for loss mitigation during device to device communication mode switching", PCT Application Number 2016WO-EP060866, filed 13/5/2016
3. M. Caretti, G. Nardini, D. Sabella, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "Method and System for data tunneling in device to device communications assisted by a telecommunication network", PCT Application Number 2016WO-EP060864, filed 13/5/2016
4. M. Caretti, D. Sabella, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "METHOD FOR MANAGING DATA TRANSMISSION POWER IN MOBILE CELLULAR NETWORKS", PCT/EP2014/077349, filed 11/12/2014
5. M. Caretti, G. Nardini, A. Rossali, D. Sabella, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "Resource Allocation System and Method Adapted to Implement Device-to-Device Communications in Wireless Communication Networks", PCT/EP2014/059490, filed 08/05/2014
6. M. Caretti, D. Sabella, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "Method for Power Consumption Optimization in Mobile Cellular Networks", PCT/EP2014/053954, filed 28/2/2014
7. M. Caretti, G. Nardini, D. Sabella, G. Stea, A. Virdis, "Metodo per pianificare risorse radio", MI2013A000756, filed 09/05/2013

Technical/Organization/Editorial Roles

Book Editor

• Book Tile: "Recent Advances in Network Simulation", eds. A. Virdis, M. Kirsche, Springer, May 2019.

OMNeT++ Community Summit

• 201o - Hamburg University of Technology, Germany – September 04-06 - (Technical Program Co-Organizer)
• 2018 - University of Pisa, Italy - September 05-07 - (Local Co-Organizer)
• 2017 - University of Bremen, Germany - September 07-08 - (Technical Program Co-Organizer)
• 2016 - Brno, Univ. of Technology, Czech Republic - September - (Technical Program Co-Organizer)
• 2015 - IBM Research - Zurich, Switzerland - September 3-4 (TPC member)

SIMULTECH Conference

• 2020 - Lieusaint - Paris, France - July 8-10 - (TPC Member)
• 2019 - Prague, Czech Republic - July 29-31 - (TPC Member)

WF-IoT, IEEE World Forum on Internet of Things

• 2020 - New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, April 5-9 - (TPC Member)
• 2019 - Limerick, Ireland, April 15-18 - (TPC Member)

ISM - The International Conference on Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing

• 2019 - Rende, Cosenza, Italy, November 20-22 - (TPC Member)

IEEE MELECON

• 2020 - Palermo, Italy, June 16-18 - (TPC Member)

SIMUL - International Conference on Advances in System Simulation

• 2018 - Nice, France, October 14 - 18 (TPC member)
• 2017 - Athens, Greece, October 8 - 12 (TPC member)
• 2016 - Brussels, Belgium - August 21 - 25 (TPC member)
• 2015 - Barcelona, Spain - November 15 - 20 (TPC member)

ICDT - International Conference on Digital Telecommunications

• 2018 - Athens, Greece - April 22 - 26 (TPC member)
• 2017 - Venice, Italy - April 23 - 27 (TPC member)

EMERGING - International Conference on Emerging Networks and Systems Intelligence

• 2018 - Athens, Greece - Novembre 18 - 22 (TPC member)
• 2017 - Barcelona, Spain - Novembre 12 - 16 (TPC member)

CLOUD COMPUTING - International Conference on Cloud Computing, GRIDs, and Virtualization

• 2018 - Barcelona, Spain - Febbraio 18 - 22 (TPC member)

AICT - Advanced International Conference on Telecommunications

• 2019 - Nice, France - 28 Lugli - 1 Agosto (TPC member)
• 2018 - Barcelona, Spain - Luglio 22 - 26 (TPC member)

Research Projects

1. 2019-20: MEC performance evaluations and Developers engagement. Funded by Intel GmbH (Munich, DE).
2. 2016-17: SAPIENT: Satcom and terrestrial architectures improving performance, security and safety in ATM. Funded by the EU under call H2020-SESAR-2015-1
3. 2015: Study of algorithms and innovative solutions for QoS and energy efficiency management in evolved mobile systems (LTE/LTE-Advanced towards 5G), funded by Telecom Italia Lab (Turin, Italy).
4. 2015-17: Flex5Gware - Flexible and efficient hardware/software platforms for 5G network elements and devices, Funded by the EU under call H2020-ICT-2014-2.
5. 2014: Definition of satellite network and related protocols, funded by Thales Alenia Space (Rome, Italy).
6. 2014: Study of algorithms and innovative solutions for QoS and energy efficiency in evolved mobile systems towards 5G, funded by Telecom Italia Lab (Turin, Italy).
7. 2013: Study of algorithms and innovative solutions for QoS and energy efficiency in evolved mobile systems (LTE/LTE-A), funded by Telecom Italia Lab (Turin, Italy).
8. 2012: Study of packet scheduling and resource allocation algorithm for QoS and energy efficiency in evolved mobile systems, funded by Telecom Italia Lab (Turin, Italy).
9. 2011-12: "Modelli, Algoritmi e Applicazioni di Ottimizzazione Non Lineare Intera Strutturata", prot. 2009XN4ZRR_005, funded by Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (MIUR) under the PRIN program.

Teaching

Dottorato in Smart Computing, University of Florence, Pisa and Siena

1. Year 2016: "Simulation theory and practice".

Laurea Triennale degree in Ingegneria Informatica, University of Pisa

1. Year 2017: Supporto alla didattica per l'insegnamento di Algoritmi e strutture dati, primo anno.
2. Years 2014-2016: Supporto alla didattica per l'insegnamento di Fondamenti di Informatica II, modulo di algoritmi e strutture dati, primo anno.
3. Years 2013: Supporto alla didattica per l'insegnamento di Fondamenti di Informatica II, modulo di basi di dati, primo anno.

Master degree in Computer Engeneering, University of Pisa

1. Years 2015-2017: Co-docenza per l'insegnamento di Performance evaluation of Computer Systems and Networks, Corso di Laurea Computer Engeneering - LM, primo anno
2. Year 2014: Supporto alla didattica per l'insegnamento di Performance evaluation of Computer Systems and Networks, Corso di Laurea Computer Engeneering - LM, primo anno
3. Year 2015: Seminario "Computer Engineers Vs LTE", insegnamento Advanced Network Architectures and Wireless Systems, secondo anno
4. Year 2013: Seminario "LTE Basics", insegnamento Advanced Network Architectures and Wireless Systems, secondo anno
5. Year 2013: Seminario "Simulations and OMNeT++", insegnamento Advanced Network Architectures and Wireless Systems, secondo anno
6. Year 2012: Seminario "Reti Cellulari di quarta generazione: LTE e LTE-Advanced", insegnamento Architetture Avanzate di Networking e Sistemi Wireless, secondo anno
7. Year 2012: Seminario "Tecniche di simulazione mediante OMNeT++", insegnamento Architetture Avanzate di Networking e Sistemi Wireless, secondo anno