Collaborative Research: NeTS-NBD: Free-Space-Optical Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (FSO-MANETs)

移动的ad-hoc通信开始在其军事起源之外的实际应用中找到应用，例如车辆通信和延迟容忍网络。由于无线通信的最新进展，RF频谱变得饱和，因此在无线通信中启用光学频谱是未来超高速移动的自组织网络（MANDO）所需的革命。该项目探讨了自由空间光学（FSO）在超高速移动的ad-hoc和机会网络中的潜力。智力优势：该项目介绍了使用FSO的移动自组网的基本构建模块，以及在高移动性下运行的多跳高容量FSO构建模块和协议的原型。覆盖有廉价FSO收发器的3-D球形结构（例如，VCSEL和光电探测器对）通过每个节点几个收发器的可用性解决了与移动性和视线（LOS）管理相关的问题。这样的结构便于电子LOS跟踪（即，?（电子控制）而不是传统的机械转向技术。该项目还研究了可靠性协议，因为通过多接口FSO结构管理逻辑数据流是一个重大挑战。通过抽象FSO的方向性和LOS特性，该项目探讨了与路由和定位相关的问题，并在实验室环境中开发了第三层协议和FSO-MANET演示。更广泛的影响：这项研究的结果可以通过启用光谱来彻底改变MANET技术。FSO已用于高空通信，该项目使FSO通信在较低的高度和特设设置。这项研究将为固态照明技术提供一个新的应用，由于潜在的集成照明和通信功能。其他影响领域包括：传感器网络、利用定向覆盖协议的对等网络，以及诸如UAV/飞机机载网络和舰间通信的军事无线应用。

Mobile ad-hoc communication is starting to find real-world applications beyond its military origins, in areas such as vehicular communications and delay tolerant networking. As the RF spectrum is getting saturated by recent advances in wireless communications, enabling optical spectrum in wireless communications is the needed revolution for ultra-high-speed mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) of the future. This project explores the potential for free-space-optics (FSO) in the context of very-high-speed mobile ad-hoc and opportunistic networking. Intellectual Merit: This project introduces basic building blocks for MANETs using FSO and prototypes multi-hop high-capacity FSO building blocks and protocols operating under high mobility. 3-d spherical structures covered with inexpensive FSO transceivers (e.g., VCSEL and photo-detector pair) solve issues relevant to mobility and line-of-sight (LOS) management via availability of several transceivers per node. Such structures facilitate electronic LOS tracking (i.e., ?electronic steering?) methods instead of traditional mechanical steering techniques. The project also investigates reliability protocols as management of logical datastreams through multi-interface FSO structures pose a major challenge. By abstracting FSO directionality and LOS characteristics, the project explores issues relating to routing and localization, and develops layer 3 protocols and FSO-MANET demonstration in a lab setting.Broader Impact: Results of this research can revolutionize the MANET technologies by enabling optical spectrum. FSO has been used at high-altitude communications, and this project enables FSO communications at lower-altitudes and in ad-hoc settings. This research will provide a new application for solid-state lighting technology due to potential integration of illumination and communication functions. Other impact areas include: sensor networks, peer-to-peer networks leveraging directional overlay protocols, and military wireless applications such as UAV/aircraft airborne networks and inter-ship communications.