Leveraging social network theories to address data delivery issues in mobile ad hoc networks

我们建议调查的问题，跨层设计的通信协议，可以可靠地加快端到端的数据传输在移动的社会网络环境。由于这些协议的性能与用户的社会关系和运动模式密切相关，我们的第一个任务将是开发一个现实的移动模型，在社交网络环境中的人类互动。事实证明，以前提出的模型通常是基于随机行走移动模型，这是相反的人类行为，因此，他们的有效性是值得怀疑的。为了解决这个问题，我们打算利用众所周知的社交网络的概念和以前的工作，在人类流动性建模拿出一个现实的模型。我们将使用来自大规模人类流动模式研究的经验数据（如麻省理工学院的现实挖掘项目）来测试我们模型的有效性。接下来，我们将继续设计和开发一个跨层通信协议，其中一个新的社会方面层与所有7层的标准OSI协议栈，以促进数据传输的延迟容忍网络。我们的研究结果将使端到端的数据传输在移动的社会网络环境中，连续的端到端的连接不能得到保证。从长远来看，我们建议扩大我们的调查到社会网络问题的普及计算设置。我们打算研究人类携带的智能移动的设备的社会训练问题。我们称这些设备为社交监护人，我们相信它们在低成本连续医疗监测、搜索和救援行动以及恶劣环境中的通信方面具有重要的实际应用。

We propose to investigate the problem of cross layer design of communication protocols that can reliably expedite end-to-end delivery of data in a mobile social network environment. Since the performance of such protocols is closely related to users' social relationships and movement patterns, our first task will be to develop a realistic mobility model for human interactions in a social networking context. As it turns out, previously proposed models are generally based on random walk mobility models which are contrary to human behavior, and as such their validity is suspect. To address this problem, we intend to leverage well known social networking concepts and previous work in modeling of human mobility to come up with a realistic model. We will test the validity of our model by using empirical data from large scale studies of human mobility patterns such as MIT's Reality Mining project. Next, we will proceed to design and develop a cross layer communication protocol where a novel social aspects layer interacts with all 7 layers of the standard OSI protocol stack in order to facilitate data delivery in a delay tolerant network. Our results will enable end-to-end delivery of data in a mobile social network environment where continuous end-to-end connectivity cannot be guaranteed. In the longer term, we propose to extend our investigations into social networking problems in pervasive computing settings. We intend to research the problem of social training of intelligent mobile devices carried by humans. We call these devices sociable guardians and we believe them to have important practical applications in low cost continuous medical monitoring, search and rescue operations and communications in hostile environments.