EARS: Collaborative Research: Real-time Control of Dense, Mobile, Millimeter Wave Networks Using a Programmable Architecture

全世界对无线宽带的需求正在增长。接入高速无线通信对任何现代社会的运作都变得至关重要。不断增长的频谱需求需要新颖的解决方案，能够满足未来无线服务的高密度和高移动性要求。该项目通过在未来网络中使用新的频率，特别是毫米波频段，满足了全球对无处不在的无线宽带的需求。该项目将开发一种新颖的敏捷架构，能够支持适应不同的网络条件，从而在以无线设备的高密度和移动性为特征的高动态环境中实现高效和无缝的网络运行。这种架构可以在没有昂贵基础设施的情况下广泛使用毫米波网络，从而在全国范围内提供低成本的宽带接入。在这个项目中发展的知识将被整合到课程设置和本科教育中。所有提出的工作产生的教育材料将与其他大学广泛共享。本提案探讨了毫米波波段作为解决日益增长的业务需求（网络密度）和无线业务日益增加的移动性的解决方案所提供的潜力。为了实现网络级适应，提议的工作将使用软件定义网络（SDN）工具。SDN架构允许控制器运行应用程序，与数据库和基于云的服务器接口，并使无线电适应不断变化的信道条件。毫米波网络所需的灵活性和适应性使SDN成为一个自然的选择。这项工作解决了阻碍毫米波无线宽带系统部署的理论和实验问题。具体而言，本项目将重点研究网络级优化与物理层通信、信道探测和控制之间的相互作用。优化框架基于可编程性，这将通过项目中开发的SDN框架实现。SDN将与基于云的多层无线电环境地图（ML-REM）接口，该地图建立在3.5 GHz频段首创的数据库支持侧信息技术的基础上。通过传播测量获得的空中数据将用于构建ML-REM。该研究将在SDN和软件定义无线电（SDR）联合试验台上进行实验测试，实验结果将集成到理论模型中，以进行持续改进和测试。

The demand for wireless broadband is growing across the world. Access to high-rate wireless communication is becoming critical to the operation of any modern society. The increasing demand for spectrum requires novel solutions, capable of addressing the high-density and high-mobility expected of future wireless services. This project addresses the global need for ubiquitous wireless broadband by enabling new frequencies, specifically, the millimeter wave bands to be used in future networks. A novel agile architecture capable of supporting adaptation to varying network conditions will be developed in this project to enable efficient and seamless network operation in highly-dynamic environments characterized by high density and mobility of wireless devices. This architecture could provide low-cost broadband access nationwide by enabling the widespread use of millimeter wave networks without expensive infrastructure. The knowledge developed in this project will be integrated into course offerings and undergraduate education. All educational materials resulting from the proposed work will be widely shared with other universities. This proposal explores the potential offered by millimeter wave bands as a solution to the increasing traffic demand (network density) and increasing mobility of wireless services. To enable a network-level adaptation, the proposed work will use the tools of software-defined networking (SDN). An SDN architecture allows controllers to run applications, interface with database and cloud-based servers, and adapt the radios to changing channel conditions. The level of flexibility and adaptability required for millimeter wave networks make SDN a natural fit. This work addresses the theoretical and experimental issues that are impeding the deployment of millimeter wave wireless broadband systems. Specifically, this project will focus on the interplay between network-level optimization and physical layer communication, channel sounding, and control. The optimization framework is based on programmability, which will be enabled by the SDN framework developed in the project. The SDN will interface with a cloud-based Multi-Layer Radio Environment Map (ML-REM) that builds upon the database-enabled side information techniques pioneered for the 3.5 GHz band. Over-the-air data obtained through propagation measurements will be used to construct the ML-REM. The research will be tested experimentally on a joint SDN and software defined radio (SDR) testbed, with the experimental results being integrated into theoretical models for continuous improvement and testing.