HCC-Medium: Collaborative Research: Understanding and Optimizing Wireless Mobile Computing for Underserved Urban Communities

这项研究的目的是为服务不足的城市社区开发一个由成本效益高的无线宽带网络、移动电话和相关应用程序组成的无线移动计算范例。到目前为止，3G蜂窝网络、城市规模网状网络的拟议部署以及数据就绪移动电话的普及，为这一愿景提供了初步的推动力。然而，这种模式带来了与传统的基于个人计算机的计算和蜂窝电话截然不同的用户体验和使用模式。因此，关于设计无线移动计算以支持来自目标社区的用户的基础研究问题出现了。该项目系统地解决了这些问题，利用CRI支持的在德克萨斯州休斯敦服务不足的拉美裔社区山核桃公园部署大规模开放接入无线宽带网络，并分发具有Wi-Fi功能的试验性移动电话，以在那里建立无线移动基础设施。将使用远程数据收集和人种学实地调查，对该社区采用和使用这一网络基础设施的情况进行纵向研究。结果将推动迭代的、以价值为中心的技术优化，范围从以用户为中心的移动计算设计到社区驱动的网络管理。这种方法利用包括移动计算、网络、人机交互和文化人类学在内的多学科技术来开发与这一新兴研究领域相关的新研究方法。更广泛的影响。在山核桃公园的试验性部署将为其居民提供低成本的信息和通信技术。它的成功将证明无线移动计算在解决我国城市穷人的数字鸿沟方面的潜力。它将为未来在国内和国际上其他服务不足的城市社区部署无线移动基础设施提供经验和见解。该项目将为本科生和研究生提供研究机会，主要是来自代表性不足的群体。

The intent of this research is to develop a wireless mobile computing paradigm consisting of cost-effective wireless broadband network, mobile phones, and relevant applications for underserved urban communities. To date, 3G cellular networks, the proposed deployment of urban-scale mesh networks, and penetration of data-ready mobile phones, provide an initial thrust towards this vision. However, this paradigm invites drastically different user experiences and usage patterns from both traditional personal computers based computing and cellular telephony. Consequently, fundamental research questions arise regarding the design of wireless mobile computing to support users from the targeted communities. This project addresses these questions systematically, leveraging a CRI supported deployment of a large-scale open-access wireless broadband network in Pecan Park, an underserved Latino community in Houston, Texas and the distribution of experimental Wi-Fi capable mobile phones to establish a wireless mobile infrastructure there. The longitudinal study of this community's adoption and use of this network infrastructure will be performed using remote data collection and ethnographic fieldwork. The results will drive an iterative, value-centered optimization of the technology ranging from user-centered mobile computing design to community-driven network management. This approach utilizes multidisciplinary techniques including mobile computing, networking, human-computer interaction, and cultural anthropology to develop new research methods relevant to this emerging research domain. Broader Impact. The experimental deployment in Pecan Park will provide low-cost access to information and communication technologies for its residents. Its success will demonstrate the potential of wireless mobile computing to address the digital divide for our nation's urban poor. It will produce lessons and insights for future deployments of wireless mobile infrastructures in other underserved urban communities, both nationally and internationally. The project will provide research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, primarily from underrepresented groups.