CI-P: Reconfigurable Infrastructure for 60 GHz Wireless Communications, Networking and Sensing

该项目旨在为更大的名为WimNet的社区规模的基础设施开发概念验证试验台，WimNet是第一个开放接入的软件定义无线电(SDR)平台，用于推动60 GHz无线网络的研究和教育。现有对60 GHz网络的研究大多依赖于仿真或分析模型，不能再现真实60 GHz无线环境的复杂特性。为了填补这一实验空白，WimNet采用了可编程硬件组件，允许灵活地实施通信算法和网络协议。用户可以通过门户网站远程访问WimNet试验台。WimNet将促进多个研究机构在60 GHz无线网络领域的高影响力研究和教育。其潜在影响包括：(I)加快5G宽带蜂窝网络和Gbps无线局域网的发展，以缓解当前的频谱危机，并支持新一代移动应用；(Ii)与现有NSF支持的无线试验台整合；(Iii)与业界合作伙伴参与，以扩大WimNet的能力和扩大其影响；(Iv)公开传播硬件/软件组件和测试结果；(V)利用多Gbps、高频无线电系统的知识使通信/网络课程现代化，并通过可重新配置的无线电促进实践体验。

This project aims to develop a proof-of-concept testbed for a larger community-scale infrastructure called WimNet, the first open-access software-defined radio (SDR) platform to advance research and education in 60 GHz wireless networking. Existing studies of 60 GHz networks mostly rely on simulation or analytical models, which cannot reproduce the sophisticated characteristics of real 60 GHz radio environment. Aiming to fill the experimental gap, WimNet incorporates programmable hardware components, which allow flexible implementation of communications algorithms and network protocols. Users can remotely access the WimNet testbed through a web portal.WimNet will facilitate high-impact research and education in the domain of 60 GHz wireless networking across multiple research institutions. Its potential impact includes: (i) accelerating the development of the 5G broadband cellular networks and Gbps wireless LANs, which can alleviate the current spectrum crisis and enable new generations of mobile applications; (ii) integrating with existing NSF-supported wireless testbeds; (iii) engagement of industrial partners to expand the capability of WimNet and extend its impacts; (iv) public dissemination of hardware/software components and test results; (v) modernizing communications/networking courses with knowledge of multi-Gbps, high-frequency radio systems, and promote hands-on experiences with a reconfigurable radio.