CAREER: Modeling and Managing Uncertainty in Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks

无线自组织和传感器网络固有的不确定性和动态性以及通信限制迫使人们重新审视用于经典网络的假设和模型。需要健全的数学模型来探索由物理过程和信息过程的概率和动态相互作用引起的复杂性。因此，该项目侧重于在此类系统中建模和管理不确定性，目标是实现更好的理解，推导性能界限，开发协议设计的创新策略和指导方针，以及为本科生和研究生提供前沿的研究机会。双管齐下的研究方法包括理论和实验组成部分。多学科的理论部分结合了信息与通信理论、随机图论和随机几何的方法，而实验则基于具有移动元素的传感器网络试验台。该项目将为分析和设计健壮且资源高效的静态和移动自组织和传感器网络的能力做出重大贡献，预计更广泛的网络社区将从模型和设计指南中受益。一些模型有望被纳入标准的仿真工具中。研究结果不仅通过传统渠道传播，还通过教育推广组件传播，并且通过应用于其他重要类型的网络（包括可能很快成为我们社会主要部分的多跳蜂窝网络），将感受到其更广泛的影响。

The inherent non-determinism and dynamism and the communicational limitations of wireless ad hoc and sensor networks force a reexamination of the assumptions and models used for classical networks. There is a need for sound mathematical models to explore the complexities induced by the probabilistic and dynamic interaction of the physical and information processes. Hence, this project focuses on modeling and managing uncertainty in such systems, with the goals of achieving an improved understanding, deriving performance bounds, and developing innovative strategies and guidelines for protocol design, as well as providing cutting-edge research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. The two-pronged research approach includes a theoretical and an experimental component. The multidisciplinary theoretical part combines methodologies from information and communication theory, and random graph theory and stochastic geometry, whereas the experiments are based on a sensor network testbed with mobile elements.This project will contribute significantly to the ability to analyze and design robust and resource-efficient static and mobile ad hoc and sensor networks, and it is expected that the broader networking community will benefit from the models and design guidelines. Some models will hopefully be incorporated into standard simulation tools. The research findings are disseminated not only through the traditional channels but also via an educational outreach component, and their broader impact will be felt through the application to other important classes of networks, including multi-hop cellular networks that may soon become significant for a major part of our society.