CAREER: Fundamental Performance Limits and Trade-offs in Wireless Embedded Sensor Networks

无线传感器网络在一系列独特的约束和要求下运行，带来了远远超出现有理论和算法的新挑战。本项目研究无线传感器网络固有的一些基本性能限制和权衡，旨在为未来的协议设计和算法实现奠定理论基础。具体而言，在能量约束和网络寿命这一总体主题下，我们正在集中精力研究三个重点领域：(1)通过最优功率控制流路由最大化网络寿命；(2)了解性能限制以及中继节点放置和能量供应之间的权衡；(3)揭示了能量约束率分配问题的固有性质。我们的方法是多学科的：它跨越了无线通信、网络算法和优化领域。这项研究的结果将填补目前对无线传感器网络理解的重要空白，使这个不断发展的领域充分发挥其潜力。第一个领域的研究将有助于我们发展传感器网络中以生命周期为中心的流路由研究的基本研究方法。第二个领域的研究将增强对性能限制和权衡的理解，对理论和实践都有重要意义。第三个领域的研究将揭示能量约束传感器网络的固有特性，并形式化一些速率分配和容量的基本理论。该项目将丰富我们对无线传感器网络的认识，并为新颖的研究生和本科生教育和指导活动提供基础。

Wireless sensor networks operate under a set of unique constraints and requirements, bringing in new challenges that go far beyond existing theories and algorithms. This project studies some fundamental performance limits and trade-offs that are inherent to wireless sensor networks, with the aim of laying a theoretical underpinning for future protocol design and algorithm implementation. Specifically, there are three thrust areas under the overarching theme of energy constraints and network lifetime on which we are concentrating our efforts: (1) maximizing network lifetime through optimal power-controlled flow routing; (2) understanding performance limits and the trade-offs between relay node placement and energy provisioning; and (3) uncovering the inherent properties associated with the energy-constrained rate allocation problem. Our approach is multi-disciplinary: it spans the fields of wireless communications, networking algorithms, and optimizations. The outcome of this research will fill important gaps in the current understanding of wireless sensor networks, enabling this growing field to fully realize its potential. The research in the first area will help us to develop basic research methodologies for the study of lifetime-centric flow routing in sensor networks. The research in the second area will enhance understanding of performance limits and trade-offs with significant implications for both theory and practice. The research in the third area will reveal inherent properties in energy-constrained sensor networks and formalize some basic theories for rate allocation and capacity. This project will enrich our knowledge of wireless sensor networks as well as provide a basis for novel graduate and undergraduate educational and mentoring activities.