NeTS-WN: Collaborative Research: Toward High-Performance Mesh Networks

本课题研究了提高无线Mesh网络性能的三个基本问题。(1)管理延迟和抖动。影响当前Mesh网络性能的一个基本问题是逐跳转发数据，导致显著的每跳和每包延迟和/或抖动。本项目设计了一种新的MAC范例和一种以路径感知方式调度数据传输的分布式方法，以消除每包延迟和抖动，同时最小化每跳延迟。(2)容量分析和效用优化。作为对多信道多无线Mesh网络的大量仿真研究的补充，本课题建立了一个通用的理论模型来分析Mesh网络的单播和广播容量，并应用该模型来优化信道分配以最大化容量，以及优化与用户感知的网络性能相关的特定应用的效用函数。(3)动态频谱接入网状网的信道分配。最近认知无线电技术的进步和频谱政策的监管改革通过提供动态可用信道为网状网络提供了动态频谱接入(DSA)能力。该项目采用跨层和以路径为中心的方法在DSA网状网中分配动态信道，以实现高频谱利用率和业务吞吐量。通过开发创新的协议、分析和优化模型，该项目促进了高性能多无线电、多通道和支持DSA的网状网络的发展。DSA网状网的研究为灾难救援中不同应急管理部门之间的沟通提供了潜在的便利。该项目还通过教育和研究使代表不足的少数民族学生受益。

This project studies three fundamental problems to improve the performance of wireless mesh networks. (1) Managing delay and jitter. One fundamental problem affecting the performance of current mesh networks is the hop-by-hop relaying of data, resulting in significant per-hop and per-packet delay and/or jitter. This project designs a new MAC paradigm and a distributed method of scheduling data transmissions in a path-aware manner, to eliminate per-packet delay and jitter while minimizing per-hop delays. (2) Capacity analysis and utility optimization. As an augmentation to the large amount of simulation studies on multi-channelmulti-radio mesh networks, this project develops a general theoretical model to analyze both unicast and broadcast capacities of mesh networks, and applies the model to optimally assign channels to maximize capacity, as well as optimizing application-specific utility functions relevant to user-perceived network performance. (3) Channel assignment for dynamic spectrum access mesh networks. Recent advancement in cognitive radio technology and regulatory reform in spectrum policy offer dynamic spectrum access (DSA) capability to mesh networks via providing dynamically available channels. This project adopts a cross-layer and path-centric approach for assigning dynamic channels inDSA mesh networks to achieve high spectrum utilization and traffic throughput. Through developing innovative protocols, analysis and optimization models, this project promotes development of high-performance multi-radio, multi-channel, and DSA-capable mesh networks. The research on DSA mesh networks potentially facilitates the communication among different emergency management divisions in disaster rescues operations. This project also benefits the underrepresented minority students through education and research.