Routing, mobility management and network middleware for heterogeneous mobile wireless networks

在无线接入技术的发展和应用需求的多样性的推动下，无线网络经过多年的发展，已经发展到3G蜂窝网络、ad hoc网络、mesh网络以及更多即将到来的传感器网络。不断变化的应用需求和使用场景表明，未来的无线网络将是通过IP网络的公共平台将上述接入网络集成在一起而形成的异构网络。所提出的研究的目的是调查异构无线网络中的三个问题领域：路由，移动性管理和网络中间件。这些问题中的每一个对于未来的无线网络都是至关重要的。此外，我们有机会利用我们目前的研究和专业知识来处理与这些问题有关的紧迫问题。路由是一种基本的网络服务，由于与移动性、功率约束、无线链路不稳定性和路径干扰相关的许多挑战，路由对于无线网络变得复杂。在多跳无线网络中，智能天线和先进的功率控制方法为提高链路吞吐量和减少由于正在进行的通信引起的干扰而导致的路径阻塞带来了机会。然而，它也带来了路由控制和选择过程的复杂性。移动性管理对于保持移动的节点的通信性能至关重要。对于高速、异构的无线网络，它变得更加复杂。传统的应用程序访问网络服务的方法是通过通信栈和套接字API。上述接入网络的异构性、移动性、普遍性和独特性对网络服务的接入和管理提出了新的挑战，传统的简单机制已无法提供这些服务。 网络中间件在为复杂算法的实现和应用程序的开发和部署提供平台方面非常重要。

Wireless Networks evolve over the years, driven by the development in radio access technology and the diversity of application demands, to 3G cellular networks, ad hoc networks, mesh networks, and more upcoming sensor networks. Diverse and evolving application requirements and usage scenarios indicate that a future wireless network would be a heterogeneous network formed by integrating the above access networks through a common platform of IP network. The objective of the proposed research is to investigate three problem areas in heterogeneous wireless networks: Routing, Mobility Management, and Network Middleware. Each of these problems is critical for future wireless networks. Also, we have opportunity of leveraging our current research and expertise in dealing with pressing issues related to these problems. Routing is a fundamental network service, which becomes complex for wireless networks due to a host of challenges related to mobility, power constraints, wireless link instability, and path interference. Smart antenna and sophisticated power control approach bring opportunities in improving link throughput and reducing the blockage of paths due to interference caused by ongoing communication in multi-hop wireless networks. However, it also brings complexity in the route control and selection process. Mobility management is critical for the performance of maintaining communication of mobile nodes. It becomes more complicated for high-speed and heterogeneous wireless networks. Conventional approach of applications accessing network services is through communication stack and socket API. Heterogeneity, mobility, ubiquity and unique characteristics of above access networks pose new challenges to the access and management of network services, which can no longer be provided by simple conventional mechanisms. Network middleware is important in providing a platform for the implementation of sophisticated algorithms and the facilitation of application development and deployment.