Collaborative Research:CISE-MSI:DP:CNS:Adaptive Multi-Tiered, Multi-Task Base Station Infrastructure For Communication-Denied Environments

如今，蜂窝网络已经成为卓越的通信技术，这主要是因为它们对现代社会产生了深刻的影响。5G及以上提供独特的功能，如高传输速率、超可靠的低延迟通信、海量机器类型通信以及边缘和云计算。然而，这些网络的性能可能容易受到需求波动或因自然灾害或人为灾害而对基础基础设施--即地面基站(TBS)--造成的意外物理损害的影响。最近在人工智能、控制系统和网络物理系统领域内的自主性方面的进步促进了自主无人机(UAV)和自主飞行器的利用，以建立临时的蜂窝网络。在大规模灾难或事件中，这些网络依赖于飞行基站(FBS)或车载基站(VBS)，其中TBS不可用或无法提供所需的覆盖和服务质量(Qos)。除了通信服务外，这些自动驾驶车辆还可以提供多种功能，包括快速绘制广阔区域的地图，在危险区域进行操作，紧急送货和搜救任务。然而，尽管到目前为止在概念、科学和工程上取得了进展，FBS和VBS基础设施还没有完全成熟。该项目的主要目标是开发一个由空中和车载基站(MTB)组成的自适应、多目标、多层和多任务的基础设施。其目的是提高蜂窝系统的覆盖范围和服务质量，同时促进各种服务，包括态势感知、包裹递送和目标跟踪，特别是在可用车辆数量有限的情况下。研究和教育议程围绕三个主题展开：(1)开展基础研究，旨在开发和实施无人机和VBS的适应性、多层集合的模型和算法工具，以便在具有挑战性的环境中，如灾区提供通信基础设施；(2)开发MTBS系统中的轨迹规划模型，以提供在关键任务中有效利用基站的现实解决方案，因为关键任务中有少量车辆可用；(3)使用试验台环境评估拟议模型的性能。在该项目中开发的试验床和开放源码包将允许教育工作者和现场专业人员在学习和培训环境中部署它们。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。

Nowadays, cellular networks have emerged as the preeminent communication technology, primarily due to their profound impact on modern society. 5G and beyond offer distinctive features, such as high transmission rate, ultra-reliable low-latency communication, massive machine-type communication, and edge and cloud computing. Nevertheless, the performance of these networks can be susceptible to fluctuations in demand or unanticipated physical damage to the underlying infrastructure - i.e., terrestrial base stations (TBSs) - through natural or man-made disasters. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence, control systems, and autonomy within the realm of cyber-physical systems have facilitated the utilization of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and autonomous vehicles to establish temporary cellular networks. These networks rely on flying base stations (FBSs) or vehicular base stations (VBS) in large-scale disasters or events where TBSs are either unavailable or unable to provide the required coverage and quality of service (QoS). In addition to their communication services, these autonomous vehicles can offer diverse functionalities, including rapid mapping of expansive areas, operations in hazardous zones, emergency deliveries, and search-and-rescue missions. However, despite the conceptual, scientific, and engineering advancements achieved thus far, the FBS and VBS infrastructures have not yet reached their full maturity.The principal objective of this project is to develop an adaptive, multi-objective, multitier, and multi-task infrastructure consisting of aerial and vehicular base stations (MTBS). The aim is to improve the coverage and QoS of cellular systems while simultaneously facilitating various services, including situational awareness, package delivery, and target tracking, particularly in scenarios where the number of available vehicles is limited. The research and education agenda is framed around three thrusts: (1) performing fundamental research aimed at developing models and algorithmic tools for developing and implementing an adaptive, multi-tiered collection of UAVs and VBSs, to provide communication infrastructure in challenging environments, such as in a disaster zone; (2) developing trajectory-planning models in MTBS systems to deliver a realistic solution for effectively utilizing the base stations in critical missions wherein a small number of vehicles are available; and (3) evaluating the performance of the proposed models using testbed environments. The testbed and open-source code packages developed in this project will allow educators and field professionals to deploy them in both learning and training environments.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.