CNS Core: Small: Collaborative Research: Attaining the New Frontier of Spectral Efficiency with Tradeoffs in Computation Through Cloud Radio Access Networks

云无线电接入网络(C-RAN)将成为下一代无线技术的一部分，并将在频谱效率方面实现飞跃。C-RAN通过使用大量仅由射频头(RRU)组成的简单基站，同时将多个基站的基带单元(BBU)聚合在一起，以处理通过光纤或微波链路连接的云，从而促进了基本范式的转变。该项目将利用BBU的集中化和大量分布式RRU的可用性所提供的潜力，以实现可扩展的性能收益。这将通过新兴的C-RAN技术支持廉价、高质量、无处不在的高能效频谱接入，从而促进无线技术的普及和渗透率的提高。无线技术的广泛采用将使传统上服务不足的美国人能够更好地获得信息服务，从而改善国家的经济福利。研究生和本科生将接受分析和实证研究方法的培训，这将改善国家劳动力的培训。将促进合作，并将通过侧重于C-RAN技术的研讨会与社区分享努力的成果。研究小组将通过让当地妇女参加科学和工程俱乐部来开展活动，以缩小工程学领域的性别差距。该项目开发了一种跨层方法，通过结合数学技术、探索特定背景的权衡和创新的经验策略，为C-RAN设计可扩展和高效的网络战略。该项目旨在1)设计最优的信息论编码，并为现实场景在协调和通信速率之间建立基本的折衷；2)设计迎合这些最优码以及网络动态、请求内容、用户移动性和无线电条件的C-RAN调度技术，为改进的无线通信提供可扩展和高效的解决方案；以及(3)在C-RAN支持的无线试验台上对所产生的通信和编码策略进行实验原型设计，以提供经验性能验证并验证潜在的假设和模型。该项目是一个整体努力，将应用和贡献于信息论、排队论和博弈论以及数学优化和经验无线研究领域。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Cloud radio access networks (C-RANs) will be part of the next generation of wireless technology and will provide a leap forward in spectral efficiency. C-RANs promote a fundamental paradigm shift by employing a large number of simple base stations that consist only of radio heads (RRUs), while aggregating the baseband units (BBUs) of multiple base stations together at processing clouds connected through optical fiber or microwave links. This project will harness the potential offered by the centralization of the BBUs and the availability of a large number of distributed RRUs to attain scalable performance gains. This will foster the proliferation and improved penetration of wireless technology by supporting inexpensive, high-quality, ubiquitous energy-efficient spectrum access through emerging C-RAN technologies. The wider adoption of wireless technologies will allow traditionally under-served Americans to have better access to information services, thereby improving the nation's economic welfare. Graduate and undergraduate students will be trained in analytical and empirical research methods, which will improve the training of the nation's workforce. Collaboration will be fostered, and the results of the effort will be shared with the community through workshops focused on C-RAN technology. The research team will engage in activities to reduce the gender-gap in engineering by engaging local women in science and engineering clubs. The project develops a cross-layer approach to the design of scalable and efficient network strategies for C-RANs through a combination of mathematical techniques, exploration of context-specific tradeoffs, and innovative empirical strategies. The project seeks to 1) design optimal, information-theoretic codes and establish fundamental tradeoffs between coordination and communication rates for realistic scenarios; 2) design C-RAN scheduling techniques that cater to these optimal codes, as well as network dynamics, requested content, users' mobility, and radio conditions to provide scalable and efficient solutions for improved wireless communications; and (3) perform experimental prototyping of resulting communication and coding strategies on a C-RAN enabled wireless testbed to provide empirical performance validation and validate the underlying assumptions and models. The project is a holistic effort that will apply and contribute to the fields of information theory, queueing, and game theory as well as mathematical optimization, and empirical wireless research.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.