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

无线和移动的网络研究的早期努力集中在移动的Ad Hoc网络（MANN）上，而一些最近的研究集中在一种称为容中断网络（DTNs）的范例上。在DTN中，与MANN相反，端到端路径上的链路可能不同时存在，中间节点可能需要存储数据，等待向其目的地传输数据的机会。网络是MANET还是DTN的问题至关重要，因为它将深刻影响其运行。 这样的问题很难用公式表达，甚至更难回答，因为许多网络无法完全符合简单的分类方案。我们工作的主要前提是，最好将无线和移动的网络（WAM）的空间视为一个连续体。 一个网络的特点是它在这个连续体中的位置，这是它的功能，并可能随着时间的推移而变化。 某些网络类别可以在该WAM连续体上定义，并且这样的网络分类可以用于指导WAM设计和操作。 我们的工作将包括开发：WAM连续体规范和分类的基础知识，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工作产生更广泛影响的活动，包括：基于我们的研究，为研究生和本科生课程开发模块，并继续强调将在我们的研究工作中代表群体。

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.