Summer
2007

Wireless Mesh Network Technologies
[32 239] Spezialvorlesung, 2VL + 2PR

Instructor(s): Dipl-Inf. Anatolij Zubow

Friday, VL: 09:30-11:00, RUD 26, 1.306; PR: 11:15-12:45, RUD 26, 1.306


Computer Science Department
Systems Architecture Group

 IMPORTANT: This is a draft. The final document may differ significantly from the current version.
Abstract: Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are two emerging wireless technologies which will have important impact in the future. For example, wireless mesh networking is an enabling technology to provide wireless access in rural areas. This course will cover the fundamental design principles behind building scalable WMNs and WSNs. The following aspects will be covered: PHY layer technologies, medium access control, routing protocol design, transport layer issues, capacity issues and application. It will also cover case studies on deploying wireless mesh and sensor networks.
This course includes a laboratory component and minor design project in the context of the Berlin

This course is an advanced research-oriented course designed for graduate students with computer networks background. Through this course, students can learn the state of art of wireless ad hoc networks research, and enhance their potential to do research in this exciting area.
 

Synopsis:
  • Spezialvorlesung, Praktische Informatik, Hauptstudium.
  • Offered once.
  • 1 lectures per week (2h), over one semester (2SWS VL).
  • 1 lab (Praktikum) per week (2h), over one semester (2SWS PR).

Credits and grading:

  • This is a special course/lecture.

Prerequisites:

  • Successful completion of PI-1.
  • Computer networks background.
Syllabus - Lecture:

  1. Introduction [pdf]

    • The IEEE 802 specification family

    • Concept of ISM frequency band

    • Free-space loss and frequency dependency

    • Comparison between different wireless technologies (PHY and MAC layers)

    • MAC and IP addressing issues

  2. Wireless personal area networks (WPANs) [pdf]

    • IEEE 802.15.1 (Bluetooth)

      • Network topology, FHSS, Link delivery services, Architecture & protocols

    • IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee)

      • Network topology, Physical layer, CSMA/CA

  3. Wireless local area network (WLAN) [pdf], [pdf], [pdf], [pdf]

    • IEEE 802.11 WLAN architecture

      • Routing, IAPP and mobility management, Frame structure, MAC header structure, Usage of MAC address fields

    • Management frames

    • IEEE 802.11 MAC layer operation

      • Basic CSMA/CA operation, Network Allocation Vector, Backoff operation, Wireless medium access

    • Usage of RTS / CTS

    • Fragmentation

    • Physical layer for IEEE 802.11b

      • Channel allocation, Modulation and coding, PHY layer frame structure

    • Physical layer for IEEE 802.11a/g

      • Channel allocation, Modulation and coding, OFDM basics, PHY layer frame structure

    • IEEE 802.11e QoS

      • Requirements for real-time services, QoS solutions in 802.11 networks (PCF), 802.11e, VoIP over WLAN

  4. Wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN, aka WiMAX) [pdf]

    • IEEE 802.16 family of standards

    • Protocol layering

    • TDD frame structure

    • MAC PDU structure

    • Dynamic QoS management

    • OFDMA PHY layer

    • 802.16 Mesh

  5. Wireless local area mesh networking [pdf]

    • IEEE 802.11s architecture overview

    • Extensible Framework

    • Routing

    • Interworking

    • Data Frame Format and 6 Address Scheme

    • MAC Enhancements

    • Beaconing, Synchronization, and Powersave

  6. Current Research Topics

    • Smart Antennas [pdf]

    • MIMO [pdf]

    • Cognitive Radio / Dynamic Spectrum Access [pdf]

Syllabus - Lab (Praktikum):

  1. Network Simulator (NS2, JIST/SWANS)

  2. Software Engineering

    • Click Modular Router platform (NSClick) [pdf]

    • Hacking the BRN (MIPS, X86, WiFi driver, Linux, ...)

Further Readings:

AufzählungMatthew Gast. 802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide, Second Edition. O'Reilly, 2005. ISBN 0-5961-0052-3
 Links
MIT
Roof Net (home page)
Berlin (Community)
WLAN Hain
Berlin Roof Net
Project Home Page
PDOS UCLA
Click Modular Router
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