NeTS: Small: Location, Location, Location: Maximizing Network Performance in the mmWave Era

下一代无线网络将严重依赖于毫米波（mmWave）通信，这种通信发生在28至300千兆赫的频带上，而目前的网络运行在10千兆赫以下的频带上。毫米波通信在理想条件下可实现每秒千兆位的数据速率和低延迟，这意味着它们可以支持无线虚拟现实和智能实时交通控制等新兴应用。然而，毫米波信号随着距离的增加而衰减得比低频信号更快，特别是在恶劣的天气条件下，而且信号不能通过墙壁甚至人体等障碍物传播。当毫米波通信的发送方或接收方的位置仅改变几英尺时，这些特性就会导致性能的显著差异。本研究旨在通过设计适应不断变化的条件以保持必要的性能水平的无线网络来解决这一限制。该项目设想的网络采用的组件不像今天的接入点和蜂窝基站那样是固定的，而是具有适度的移动性，并且可以根据当前用户的位置和环境限制动态配置自己以优化性能。该研究旨在证明和量化优化网络组件位置对下一代网络性能的好处。该项目还与佐治亚理工学院的CREATE-X创业计划合作，该计划旨在促进学生驱动的创业活动，以促进技术转让。本项目研究如何在网络设计时和网络运行期间利用毫米波通信的位置灵敏度来提高性能。考虑了两种技术来优化毫米波网络中的位置，移动性和中继节点。在没有合适的通信路径的情况下，节点可以重新定位自己建立通信，如果它们有这种能力，也可以利用战略性放置的中继节点来帮助它们进行通信。对于两种特定场景，即无线回程和室内接入，该项目研究了这两种技术可以单独使用或组合使用以优化性能的方法。研究的问题将包括采用中继节点的毫米波回程网络的设计、优化、表征和控制；毫米波回程网络中继重构协议的可重构性分析及设计与评价以及自定位室内毫米波接入点和中继系统的设计、评估和优化。这些问题将使用算法设计和分析技术、分析和数值评估、网络模拟和原型来研究。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Next-generation wireless networks will rely heavily on millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications, which take place in frequency bands of 28 to 300 GHz, in contrast with current networks that operate in bands below 10 GHz. mmWave communications achieve multi-gigabit per second data rates and low latencies under ideal conditions, meaning they could support emerging applications such as wireless virtual reality and intelligent real-time traffic control. However, mmWave signals degrade more rapidly with distance than lower-frequency signals, particularly in poor weather conditions, and the signals cannot propagate through obstacles such as walls and even human bodies. These characteristics can result in dramatically different performance when the position of the sender or receiver of a mmWave communication is changed by only a few feet. This research seeks to address this limitation by designing wireless networks that adapt to changing conditions to maintain necessary levels of performance. The project envisions networks that employ components which are not fixed like today's access points and cellular base stations but rather have a modest amount of mobility and can dynamically configure themselves to optimize performance depending on the locations of the current users and environmental constraints. The research seeks to both demonstrate and quantify the benefits that optimizing location of network components has on the performance of these next-generation networks. The project is also working with Georgia Tech's CREATE-X entrepreneurship program, which fosters student-driven start-up activities, to facilitate technology transfer.This project investigates how the location sensitivity of mmWave communications can be exploited, both at network design time and during network operation, to improve performance. Two techniques are considered for optimizing location in mmWave networks, mobility and relay nodes. In case no suitable communication path exists, nodes can reposition themselves to establish communication if they have that capability or they can make use of strategically placed relay nodes to help them communicate. For two specific scenarios, namely wireless backhaul and indoor access, the project investigates ways in which these two techniques can be used by themselves and in combination to optimize performance. Problems studied will include the design, optimization, characterization, and control of mmWave backhaul networks employing relay nodes; analysis of reconfigurability and design and evaluation of relay reconfiguration protocols for mmWave backhaul networks; and design, evaluation, and optimization of systems of self-positioning indoor mmWave access points and relays. The problems will be studied using algorithm design and analysis techniques, analytical and numerical evaluation, network simulation, and prototyping.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.