Transceiver and Network Technology Developments for Directional Hybrid Wireless Networks

集成、混合和复杂的系统克里斯托弗·C·戴维斯马里兰大学公园收发器和网络技术发展定向混合无线网络的智能价值：我们之前的研究和其他人的研究表明，移动自组织网络(MANET)不能扩展。我们在这项研究中的目的是证明，可以通过在灵活的主干网络中自主配置定向链路来创建更高的通信层，该主干网络将类似于MANET的小集群连接在一个类似基站的体系结构中。这项研究将解决在稳定、瞄准、捕获、跟踪(SPAT)、自举和拓扑控制算法方面尚未解决的重要研究问题，这些算法是实现我们的“混合”定向自由空间光(FSO)和射频(RF)网络所必需的。这项研究将有助于解决影响FSO/RF信道的链路物理问题，包括：(I)城市混合FSO/RF信道的衰落；(Ii)信道上的时间和空间相关函数的测量；以及(Iii)关于改善FSO信道的倾斜和波束分裂问题的非成像FSO接收器的性能研究。我们还将构建和研究具有新颖设计特征的新型光无线节点，使其在室内光无线应用中具有潜在价值，因为在这些应用中，由于干扰问题，RF是不可取的，例如在医疗行业。广泛影响：调查人员在他们的研究中有涉及女性和少数族裔的记录。此外，本科生定期参与该小组的研究，并为发表的期刊和会议论文投稿。我们计划继续参加马里兰大学优秀生计划，这是一个为来自全美大学的有才华的本科生提供的实习计划。我们定期为邻近高中的高年级学生提供为期一年的研究实践经验。由于该组织进行的实际工程非常引人注目，我们每年在马里兰大学举行的学术开放日上都会进行许多演示，以吸引有才华的学生，特别是女性和代表不足的团体的成员，进入电气和计算机工程专业。

Integrative, Hybrid and Complex SystemsChristopher C. DavisUniversity of Maryland College ParkTransceiver and Network Technology Developments for Directional Hybrid Wireless NetworksIntellectual Merit: Our prior research, and the research of others, has shown that mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) do not scale. Our aim in this research is to prove that a higher communication tier can be created using autonomously configuring directional links in a flexible backbone network that connects MANET-like small clusters in an architecture that is "base-station-like." This research will address important, unsolved research problems in stabilization, pointing, acquisition, tracking (SPAT), bootstrapping, and topology control algorithms needed to make our "hybrid" directional free space optical (FSO) and radio frequency (RF) networks a reality. The research will help to resolve link physics issues that affect the FSO/RF channel, including: (i) fading of the urban hybrid FSO/RF channel; (ii) measurements of temporal and spatial correlation functions on the channel; and (iii) studies of the performance of non-imaging FSO receivers with regard to amelioration of the tip-tilt and beam break-up problems of the FSO channel. We will also build and study new optical wireless nodes with novel design features that make them potentially valuable in indoor optical wireless applications where RF is not desirable because of interference problems, such as in the healthcare industry.Broader Impact: The investigators have a record of involving women and minorities in their research. In addition, undergraduate students regularly participate in the research of the group and contribute to published journal and conference papers. We plan to continue to participate in the University of Maryland MERIT program, an internship program for talented undergraduate students from universities across the United States. We regularly provide year-long Research Practicum experience for seniors from neighboring high schools. Because of the highly visible real engineering carried out by the group, we have many demonstrations that we run at academic open houses held at the University of Maryland each year to attract talented students, especially females and members of under-represented groups, into Electrical and Computer Engineering.