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Continuing from the successful research efforts in the last BPP, the main objective of TA1 is to further the frontiers of our fundamental understandings on the characteristics of dynamic wireless networks, and based on these understandings, develop systematic and disciplined methods to design performant and robust tactical military networks for coalition operations. Tactical networks exhibit unique characteristics that are not well understood by the current network science. Most notably, these networks are highly dynamic due to their mobile nature and time-varying wireless channels. In addition, the network may employ dynamic mechanisms such as cooperation at various levels. In the last BPP, we have studied various mechanisms to leverage cooperation and developed novel algorithms to achieve robust and scalable networking solutions. Our research in this BPP period will focus on more advanced features: such as cooperation considering mobility and security, braid and non-braid based robust routing, and coordinated duty cycling to save energy. Another important characteristic that we strive to tackle in this technical area is the interoperation among multiple heterogeneous coalition networks. So far the mobile ad hoc network (MANET) and wireless sensor network (WSN) communities have not paid much attention to the problem of interconnecting multiple wireless networks. In the last BPP, we have provided new insights to enable inter-domain routing with policy enablement to support autonomy of each domain, and multicasting in networks with intermittent connectivity. In this BPP, we will look at more advanced topics: such as utilizing mobile gateway and self-organizing gateway structure to improve inter-domain connectivity, inter-domain multicast support with security and performance guarantees, and limits on network monitoring with imperfect information. Finally, we will continue to leverage the theories and findings from other scientific fields such as biology and physics to enrich our understandings in complex networks (such as dynamic graph theory) and to design robust and adaptive mechanisms to develop autonomous capabilities (such as self-organization and adaptation). In the past, we have successfully designed and analyzed a new breed of network algorithms based only biological inspiration: multi-agent coordination based on Levy model, duty cycling algorithm based on Markov Random Field theory, coordinated duty cycling based on blood circulatory systems. In this BPP, we will look at more advanced topics in this area such as composing complex mobility patterns from simpler models, embedding temporal components to fully develop dynamic graph models, and developing self-organization algorithms for service deployment in dynamic networks based on morphogenesis concept.
More specifically, we have structured our research efforts for this BPP in the following three projects:
Project 1 - Theoretical Foundations for Analysis and Design of Wireless and Sensor Networks: The focus of this project is on the development of theoretical foundations for understanding and evaluating the performance benefits and fundamental performance limits of new technologies for future military mobile multi-hop ad hoc wireless networks (MANETs) and sensor networks, and for designing robust resource allocation mechanisms for such networks. This project proposes two tasks (cooperative networking and robust networking) and two crosscutting tasks (both TA1/TA3) whose goals are to address the above issues in future MANETs.
Project 2 - Interoperability of Heterogeneous Wireless Networks and Systems: One of the fundamental challenges in coalition military operations lies in that the networks employed by the coalition members are heterogeneous. In addition, each organization needs to enforce certain administrative and operational policies when they interact over the network owned and operated by other organizations. In this project, our main focus is to improve the interoperability of heterogeneous tactical wireless networks and sensor infrastructure of multiple coalition partners in both data delivery and control plane operations. This project proposes four tasks: controlled mobile gateways, self-organizing gateways for inter-domain communications, inter-domain multicasting, and distributed causality analysis for a coalition network.
Project 3 - Modeling, Analysis and Design of Dynamic Self-organizing Wireless Networks: A salient characteristic of tactical coalition networks is that it is highly dynamic since nodes can physically move and the wireless channel condition varies over time due to fading, shadowing, and node failure. In this project, we first strive to provide a foundational framework of network dynamics by augmenting the traditional graph-based network models with temporal components, and designing a set of building blocks that can be composed to develop realistic mobility models. Another topic that is critical in a highly dynamic network environment is to develop well-grounded self-organization mechanisms that can facilitate rapid deployment of various services over dynamic MANETs.
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