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

毫米波通信可用的大量未经许可和半未经许可的带宽使千兆位无线网络成为可能，这可能会改变电信格局。智能优点：这项研究调查了未经许可的60 GHz“氧气吸收”频段的使用，以提供基于多千兆户外网状网的快速部署的宽带基础设施。毫米波链路本质上是方向性的：方向性是克服高频下增加的路径损耗所必需的，对于外形紧凑的节点来说，使用电路板上实现为金属图案的天线阵列是可行的。该项目解决了具有这种高方向性链路的Mesh网络的跨层设计，其中不能依赖使用载波侦听机制的隐式协调，并且没有用于显式协调的全方位模式。此外，研究还将探讨定向媒体访问控制的新设计原则，挑战在于如何在利用显著减少的空间干扰的同时协调节点，而不考虑方向性导致的耳聋。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，旨在让更大的研究团体参与这一新兴领域的研究。调查人员还将探索其他产生更广泛影响的机制，包括技术转让、本科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.