XPLR: MultiGigabit millimeter wave mesh networks: Cross-layer design and experimental validation

用于毫米波通信的大量未经许可和半未经许可的带宽使千兆无线网络能够潜在地改变电信领域。智力优势：本研究调查了未经许可的60 GHz“吸氧”频段的使用，以提供基于多千兆户外网状网络的快速部署宽带基础设施。毫米波链路具有固有的方向性：需要方向性来克服更高频率下增加的路径损耗，并且对于使用电路板上金属图案的天线阵列的紧凑形状因素的节点是可行的。本项目解决了具有这种高度定向链路的网状网络的跨层设计，其中不能依赖使用载波感知机制的隐式协调，并且没有全向的显式协调模式。此外，本研究将探讨定向介质访问控制的新设计原则，其挑战是在方向性导致的失聪情况下协调节点，同时利用大幅减少的空间干扰。该项目还将研究网络发现和拓扑更新的方法，调度和路由之间的相互作用；以及吸氧对网络容量和协议设计/性能的影响。更广泛的影响：主要研究人员将开发公开可用的毫米波网络模拟工具，旨在吸引更大的研究团体参与这一新兴领域。研究人员还将探索其他更广泛的影响机制，包括技术转让、本科生研究和以毫米波通信为特色的课程更新。

The large amount of unlicensed and semi-unlicensed bandwidth available for millimeter (mm) wave communication enable multi-Gigabit wireless networking that can potentially transform the telecommunications landscape. Intellectual Merit: This research investigates the use of the unlicensed 60 GHz ``oxygen absorption'' band for providing a quickly deployable broadband infrastructure based on multi-Gigabit outdoor mesh networking. Millimeter wave links are inherently directional: the directionality is required to overcome the increased path loss at higher frequencies, and is feasible for nodes with compact form factors using antenna arrays realized as patterns of metal on circuit board. This project addresses the cross-layer design of mesh networks with such highly directional links, in which implicit coordination using carrier sense mechanisms cannot be relied on, and there is no omni-directional mode for explicit coordination. In addition, the research will investigate new design principles for directional medium access control, with the challenge being to coordinate nodes despite the deafness induced by directionality, while taking advantage of the drastically reduced spatial interference. The project will also study methods for network discovery and topology updates, the interactions between scheduling and routing; and the impact of oxygen absorption on network capacity and protocol design/performance. Broader Impact: The principal investigators will develop publicly available mm wave network simulation tool, intended to engage a larger research community in this emerging field. The investigators will also explore other mechanisms for broader impact including technology transfer, undergraduate research, and curriculum updates featuring mm wave communication.