CAREER: Coordinated Data-Driven Modeling and Optimization for Wireless Sensor Networks

对复杂环境进行全面监测和分析的需求使无线传感器网络（WSNs）成为研究的前沿。为了在实践中有效，无线传感器网络需要捕获系统状态，监控复杂的属性，并准确和鲁棒地建模物理现象，没有任何偏见。目前，在这方面的大多数努力采用参数模型和其他先验假设，假设已知的现象和系统属性。然而，新兴的复杂应用程序的特征往往是未知的，难以预测。因此，使用基于先验假设的模型进行优化往往效果有限。本研究计划开发新的数据驱动的建模方法，可扩展的模块化结构和应用优化算法，全面抽象，捕获和操作部署的无线传感器网络的痕迹。虽然研究主旨是为了提供适用的模型，开发工具和系统软件的无线传感器网络，他们同时推进统计建模和优化算法的理论和实践。模型和算法是协调的：模型的构建使得它们便于随后的优化，而优化算法的创建则考虑了模型的结构和不确定性。其结果本质上是跨学科的，并对广泛的其他领域产生影响。该项目通过让学生参与研究并将研究纳入本科和研究生阶段，将研究和教育活动结合起来。研究成果和教育材料通过学术出版物、Connexions平台和其他万维网来源迅速传播。

The need for comprehensive monitoring and analysis of complex environments has brought wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to the forefront of research. To be effective in practice, WSNs need to capture system state, monitor complex properties, and model physical phenomena accurately and robustly, without any biases. Currently, most efforts in this area employ parametric models and other a priori assumptions that postulate known phenomena and system properties. The characteristics of emerging complex applications, however, are often unknown and hard to predict. Thus, optimizations using models based on a priori assumptions often have limited effectiveness.This research plan develops novel data-driven modeling methods, scalable modular structures, and application optimization algorithms that comprehensively abstract, capture and operate on traces of deployed WSNs. While the research thrusts are intended to provide applicable models, development tools, and system software for WSNs, they simultaneously advance the theory and practice of statistical modeling and optimization algorithms. The models and algorithms are coordinated: the models are built so that they facilitate consequent optimizations, while the optimization algorithms are created in such a way that they take into account the structure and uncertainties of the models. The results are intrinsically interdisciplinary and have impact on a broad range of other fields. This project integrates research and educational activities by engaging students in the research and by incorporating the research into both undergraduate and graduate levels. The research results and educational material are promptly disseminated via academic publications, the Connexions platform, and other WWW sources.