NeTS-WN: Capacity Problems for MIMO-Enabled Wireless Mesh Networks

多输入多输出（MIMO）技术的最新进展表明，通过在一个节点上使用多个天线可以实现更高的频谱效率和容量增益。在没有额外频谱成本的情况下大幅提高容量的好处使MIMO成为无线通信领域的突破性技术。尽管MIMO在无线通信领域是一个活跃的研究领域，但关于如何应用MIMO技术来提高多跳无线网络环境中的网络容量的知识非常有限，这可能是因为与现有的无线网状网络不同，其概念简单且相对容易表征，基于MIMO的网状网络的数学表征涉及空间域，需要复杂的矩阵运算。具体而言，独特的MIMO信道矩阵和潜在的空间复用在多层上引入了新的研究问题。该项目旨在系统地解决未来mimo网状网络的基本理论和算法。具体来说，本项目有三个主要重点：(1)从网络的角度发展可处理的跨层矩阵表示和理论模型；(2)对MIMO网络的理论边界和容量限制进行分析；(3)为MIMO网络开发分布式算法。该项目的一个重要目标是开发跨学科的教育材料和课程。该计划是通过新的跨学科课程弥合计算机网络和无线通信课程之间的差距。此外，该项目还包括本科生的研究经历和为代表性不足的学生提供的特殊机会。

Recent advances in multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) technology show that much higher spectrum efficiency and capacity gain can be achieved by the use of multiple antennas at a node. The benefits of substantial improvement in capacity at no cost to additional spectrums have positioned MIMO as a breakthrough technology in wireless communications. Although MIMO is an active research area in the wireless communications community, there is very limited knowledge on how to apply MIMO technologies to improve network capacity in a multi-hop wireless network environment, perhaps because unlike existing wireless mesh networks, which are conceptually simple and relatively easy to characterize, the mathematical characterization of a MIMO-based mesh network involves space domain and requires complex matrix operations. Specifically, the unique MIMO channel matrix and potential spatial multiplexing introduce new research problems at multiple layers. This project aims to systematically address fundamental theories and algorithms for future MIMO-enabled mesh networks. Specifically, there are three main thrusts in this project: (1) developing tractable cross-layer matrix representation and theoretical models from a networking perspective; (2) conducting analysis of theoretical bounds and capacity limits for MIMO networks; and (3) developing distributed algorithms for MIMO networks. An important objective of this project is to develop cross-disciplinary educational materials and courses. The plan is to bridge the gap between computer networking and wireless communications curriculums via new cross-disciplinary courses. In addition, this project also includes research experience for undergraduates and special opportunities for under-represented students.