NETS-NECO: The WAM Continuum: Unified Design and Operation for Wireless and Mobile Networks

无线和移动网络研究的早期工作集中在移动自组织网络（manet）上，而最近的一些研究则集中在一种名为容断网络（DTNs）的范式上。与tomanet相反，在ddn中，端到端路径上的链路可能不会同时存在，中间节点可能需要存储数据，等待向目的地传输数据的机会。该网络是MANET还是DTN的问题至关重要，因为它将深刻地影响其运行。这样的问题很难表述，甚至更难回答，因为许多网络都不适合一个简单的分类方案。我们工作的主要前提是最好将无线和移动网络（WAMs）空间视为一个连续体。网络的特征在于它在这个连续体中的位置，这个连续体是其特征的函数，并且可能随时间而变化。可以在这个WAM连续体上定义一定的网络类别，这种网络分类可以用来指导WAM的设计和运行。我们的工作将包括开发：WAM连续规范和分类的基础，网络分类方法，以及利用网络分类知识的WAM操作技术。我们还致力于促进我们的工作产生更广泛影响的活动，包括：根据我们的研究为研究生和本科生开发模块，并继续强调在我们的研究工作中纳入代表性不足的群体。

Early efforts in wireless and mobile network research focused on Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), while some recent research has focused on a paradigm named Disruption-Tolerant Networks (DTNs). In DTNs, in contrast toMANETs, links on an end-to-end path may not exist contemporaneously and intermediate nodes may need to store data waiting for opportunities to transfer data towards its destination. The question of whether the network is a MANET or a DTN is critical to answer as it will profoundly influence its operation. Such a question is hard to formulate and even harder to answer as many networks will not fit neatly within a simple classification scheme. The main premise of our work is that it is best to consider the space of Wireless and Mobile Networks (WAMs) as a continuum. A network is characterized by its position in this continuum which is a function of its features and which may change over time. Certain network classes can be defined over this WAM continuum and such network classification can be used to guide WAM design and operation. Our work will include development of: fundamentals for WAM continuum specification and classification, network classification approaches, and techniques for WAM operation that exploit network classification knowledge.We are also committed to activities that will promote broader impact of our work including: development of modules based on our research for graduate and undergraduate classes and continued emphasis on inclusion of under-represented groups within our research efforts.