Topic: Bio-inspired protocols and distributed algorithms in autonomous wireless networks
Location: University of Avignon, France
From very long time, nature and biology have inspired new technologies. In computer networking and specifically wireless networks, this field of bio-inspired networking [4] is new and becomes very popular with the emergent of new types of networks with intelligent and autonomous mobiles and/or base stations. With the new characteristics of the wireless environment in networking with lots of different standards (LTE, UMTS, Wi-Max, WI-FI), we observe another way of thinking future wireless networks as opportunistic networking, self-organizing networks or autonomous networks [3]. The main principle is that the network becomes totally distributed and each agent adapts automatically/optimally his communication parameters depending on its environment. That kind of networks has lot of similarities with biological systems which is studied using robust tools. The goal of this work is to apply biological models to study and propose distributed algorithms/protocols for wireless networks. This thesis will deal with an interdisciplinary work considering biological tools for studying optimization problems in networking. Those tools will give concepts for describing new distributed algorithms and protocols for those networks. We will focus on two specific networking architectures which are: small cells networks and Delay Tolerant Networks. The work will consider the following investigations: · Development/adaptation of bio-inspired tools in networking like Evolutionary Game Theory [1,2] and epidemic routing [5] · Developp and test new distributed algorithms based on the biological modelling considering reactivity of each agent face to its environment. The candidate should have good skills in mathematics and computer science in general. Some knowledge on game theory, performance evaluation and wireless networks protocols/architectures are welcome.
References [1] Eitan Altman, Rachid El-Azouzi, Yezekael Hayel and Hamidou Tembiné, "An Evolutionary Game approach for the design of congestion control protocols in wireless networks", To appear in Computer Networks (2009). A short version is published in Physicomnet workshop, Berlin, April 4, 2008.
[2] Eitan Altman and Yezekael Hayel, "A Stochastic Evolutionary Game Approach to Energy Management in a Distributed Aloha Network", IEEE INFOCOM, April 2008.
[3] F. Dressler, Efficient and Scalable Communication in Autonomous Networking using Bio-inspired Mechanisms – An Overview, Informatica, vol. 29, pp. 183-188, 2005.
[4] M. Meisel, V. Pappas, L. Zhang A Taxonomy of Biologically Inspired Research in Computer Networking, submitted, http://irl.cs.ucla.edu/~mrm/papers/biosurvey-20081128.pdf
[5] A. Vahdat, D. Becker, Epidemic routing for partially-connected ad hoc networks, Tech. Rep. CS- 2000-06, Duke University, 2000.
The starting date of this research position is preferably September 2009. The candidate should be able to write in English (understanding French is an advantage). He/She should have a master degree in engineering, computer science, networking or applied mathematics.
For any questions about this position, contact Yezekael Hayel. If you are interested, please send your application (CV and a motivation letter) to yezekael.hayel@univ-avignon.fr, as soon as possible and preferably before July, 15.
-- Dr. Yezekael Hayel, PhD, McF. University of Avignon +33 (0) 4 90 84 35 36
Back to PhD Scholarships Information
Back to Scholarships Information