NeTS-NBD: Wireless Communications Networks for Rural Areas

在过去的几十年里，无线技术的部署取得了巨大的进步，手机的广泛使用和过多的自组织传感器网络就是证明。这些技术的重点主要集中在高密度领域，在这些领域中，大量的人或设备可以有效地互连，共享共同的基础设施，如蜂窝网络的情况，或创建自己的基础设施，如自组织网络的情况。本研究探讨了农村和稀疏领域，其中距离、崎岖地形和低密度是驱动系统设计和性能的关键参数。它研究了可以通过物理、链路、网络和应用层策略克服这些障碍的方法。该研究以无线电技术的进步为基础，如智能天线和可编程无线电，以及包括位置感知在内的路由新方法，以优化农村和偏远地区的系统性能。该方法包括分析、建模和仿真、经验原型和验证的结合。这一研究项目是基于这样一种认识，即广泛的公众需求越来越依赖于高速、无处不在的信息获取，而这些需求在人口稀少和偏远地区并没有得到充分满足。通过寻求替代解决方案，我们将为经济发展开辟新的机会，并解决服务不足地区的紧迫社会需求。该项目将赞助一个蒙大拿无线研讨会，以提出问题并探索不同利益相关者社区的农村通信和信息技术需求。研究生和本科生，包括美国印第安人社区的成员将参与这个项目。

The past few decades have heralded huge advances in the deployment of wireless technology, as evidenced by the widespread use of cell phones and the plethora of ad hoc sensor networks. The focus in these technologies has largely been directed to high density domains, where large numbers of people or devices can effectively interconnect, sharing a common infrastructure, as in the case of cellular networks, or creating their own infrastructure as in the case of ad hoc networks. This research explores the rural and sparse domain, where distance, rugged terrain, and low density are the key parameters driving system design and performance. It examines approaches that can overcome these obstacles through physical, link, network, and application layer strategies. The research builds on advances in radio technologies such as smart antennas and programmable radios, as well as new approaches to routing including location awareness, to optimize system performance for rural and remote realms. The approach includes a combination of analysis, modeling and simulation, and empirical prototyping and validation. This research program is driven by the realization that a broad range of public needs increasingly rely on high-speed, ubiquitous access to information, and that these needs are not being adequately met in sparsely populated and remote regions. By seeking alternative solutions we will open up new opportunities for economic development and address pressing social needs in underserved areas. The project will sponsor a Wireless Montana Workshop to surface issues and explore rural communications and information technology needs among a diverse stakeholder community. Graduate and undergraduate students, including members of American Indian communities will be engaged in this project.