Toward High Performance Tactical Multi-hop Wireless Networks via Exploiting Antenna Reconfigurability
Abstract
Objective:The goal of this research is to make a fundamental advance in multi-hop wireless networks (MWNs) by systematically explore antenna-level re-configurability to optimize the end-to-end performance and Quality-of-service (QoS) in tactical MWNs, by both laying down the theoretical foundations and developing practical protocols. To achieve our goal, we propose three integrated research thrusts that weaves together notions from wireless networks, optimization, graph theory and machine learning. The proposed research will provide significant new capabilities for current and future Naval tactical multi-hop wireless networks.Technical Approach:The goal of this research is to make a fundamental advance in MWNs by systematically explore antenna-level reconfigurability to optimize the E2E performance and QoS in tactical MWNs, by both laying down the theoretical foundations and developing practical protocols. The proposed approach focuses on exploiting pattern and polarization reconfigurability, but the methodology can be easily extended to handle frequency reconfigurability. The research is performed via three integrated thrusts that weave together notions from wireless networks, optimization, graph theory and machine learning.ONR Mission/Navy relevance:Multi-hop wireless networks are essential in many military scenarios to provide seamless communication across regions lacking infrastructure, possibly connecting a large number and variety of devices, ranging from autonomous vehicles to human body sensors used by soldiers in the battlefield. Effectively optimizing tactical MWN~s performance and deployment will clearly be critical for future military communications and will pave the way towards new battlefield capabilities such like agile force deployment in foreign terrains. The proposed network performance optimization framework also enables better utilization of scarce tactical network resources, in terms of power, bandwidth, time, location, and spectrum opportunities. Short Work statement: The proposed research is conducted in three major thrusts, with a final thrust to experimentally verify the results:Thrust I: New Models of MWNs with Reconfigurable Antennas. Develop a suitable model of multi-hop wireless networks equipped with reconfigurable antennas, which serves as the foundation for performance limit analysis and network optimization. Model the complex interactions between antenna states, link scheduling and interference.Thrust II: Performance Bounds, Optimization and Network Planning: Study the performance bounds and theoretical limits of MWNs with RAs, based on the models proposed in Thrust I.Thrust III: Distributed Algorithms and Protocol Design. Design distributed algorithms and network protocols to maximize network performance, with performance as close to the theoretical limit as possible.Task IV. Experimental Validation. All proposed algorithms and protocols in this project will be validated with metrics via extensive simulation and prototyping/ experimentation efforts. This will also include software-only simulations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612650
Entities
People
- Ming Li
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Arizona