Communications and networking technologies are essential to modern society. It allows people, computers, sensors, and objects to communicate and share multimedia data efficiently, reliably, and securely.
We are developing algorithms, protocols, and techniques to improve the performance, reliability, and security of modern communication systems and networks including the Internet, the Internet of Things, and next-generation wireless networks.
Our areas of expertise include:
Wireless Communications and Networking
Our research aims to increase the capacity and efficiency of wireless communication systems and networks. We are conducting research on channel estimation, synchronization, localization, and multiple access techniques. We are investigating massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) techniques to achieve higher capacities. Our research also seeks to exploit the vast potential of higher frequency spectrum bands in the millimeter-wave range. We are developing new protocols and architectures for various types of wireless networks, including 5G cellular networks, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), wireless sensor networks, and the Internet of Things (IoT). A topic of current interest is the co-existence between different wireless networks. Principal investigators: Bijan Jabbari, Brian Mark, Jill Nelson, Peter Paris, Zhi Tian, Kai Zeng.
Secure Wireless Communications
The broadcast nature of the wireless channel and user mobility exposes wireless communications to a number of attacks, including eavesdropping and jamming. We are investigating robust physical key layer generation, eavesdropping risk control, wireless attack detection and countermeasures, and security under mobility, particularly in the context of 5G and beyond wireless systems. Principal investigator: Kai Zeng.
Dynamic Spectrum Sharing and Cognitive Radio
The static partitioning of the wireless spectrum band in current systems results in a significant waste of an increasingly scarce and valuable resource. Cognitive radio is an emerging technology that provides the ability for wireless devices to automatically sense the spectrum environment and dynamically tune to different channels. This research investigates algorithms and protocols for cognitive radios to dynamically identify and access available spectrums and to share the spectrum efficiently and securely with other wireless devices. We are also investigating software-defined radio implementations of cognitive radios as well as machine learning techniques to identify underutilized resources. Principal investigators: Bijan Jabbari, Brian L. Mark, Jill Nelson, Peter Paris, Zhi Tian, Kai Zeng.
Network Architectures and Protocols
We are conducting research on new architectures and protocols to enhance the performance, security, and reliability of various types of communication networks, including the Internet, optical networks, sensor networks, the Internet of Things, mobile ad hoc networks, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and vehicular networks. Protocols for modern networking paradigms such as cloud-based networking and software-defined networking are of particular interest. Principal investigators: Bijan Jabbari, Brian L. Mark, Kai Zeng.
Network Performance Modeling
We are developing mathematical models and statistical methods to evaluate the performance of communication networks and to design new algorithms and protocols for traffic and resource management. Our research investigates models and methods for network traffic characterization and for obtaining bounds on network performance. Principal investigator: Brian L. Mark.