Multi-message broadcast with abstract MAC layers and unreliable links

We study the multi-message broadcast problem using abstract MAC layer models of wireless networks. These models capture the key guarantees of existing MAC layers while abstracting away low-level details such as signal propagation and contention.We begin by studying upper and lower bounds for this problem in a standard abstract MAC layer model---identifying an interesting dependence between the structure of unreliable links and achievable time complexity. In more detail, given a restriction that devices connected directly by an unreliable link are not too far from each other in the reliable link topology, we can (almost) match the efficiency of the reliable case. For the related restriction, however, that two devices connected by an unreliable link are not too far from each other in geographic distance, we prove a new lower bound that shows that this efficiency is impossible. We then investigate how much extra power must be added to the model to enable a new order of magnitude of efficiency. In more detail, we consider an enhanced abstract MAC layer model and present a new multi-message broadcast algorithm that (under certain natural assumptions) solves the problem in this model faster than any known solutions in an abstract MAC layer setting.United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-13-1-0042)Ford Motor Company. University Research ProgramNational Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant CCF-1320279)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant CCF-0939370)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant CCF-1217506)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant CCF-AF-0937274)MIT Center for Wireless Networks and Mobile Computin

Self-stabilizing k-clustering in mobile ad hoc networks

In this thesis, two silent self-stabilizing asynchronous distributed algorithms are given for constructing a k-clustering of a connected network of processes. These are the first self-stabilizing solutions to this problem. One algorithm, FLOOD, takes O( k) time and uses O(k log n) space per process, while the second algorithm, BFS-MIS-CLSTR, takes O(n) time and uses O(log n) space; where n is the size of the network. Processes have unique IDs, and there is no designated leader. BFS-MIS-CLSTR solves three problems; it elects a leader and constructs a BFS tree for the network, constructs a minimal independent set, and finally a k-clustering. Finding a minimal k-clustering is known to be NP -hard. If the network is a unit disk graph in a plane, BFS-MIS-CLSTR is within a factor of O(7.2552k) of choosing the minimal number of clusters; A lower bound is given, showing that any comparison-based algorithm for the k-clustering problem that takes o( diam) rounds has very bad worst case performance; Keywords: BFS tree construction, K-clustering, leader election, MIS construction, self-stabilization, unit disk graph

A PROTOCOL SUITE FOR WIRELESS PERSONAL AREA NETWORKS

A Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) is an ad hoc network that consists of devices that surround an individual or an object. Bluetooth® technology is especially suitable for formation of WPANs due to the pervasiveness of devices with Bluetooth® chipsets, its operation in the unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, Medical (ISM) frequency band, and its interference resilience. Bluetooth® technology has great potential to become the de facto standard for communication between heterogeneous devices in WPANs. The piconet, which is the basic Bluetooth® networking unit, utilizes a Master/Slave (MS) configuration that permits only a single master and up to seven active slave devices. This structure limitation prevents Bluetooth® devices from directly participating in larger Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) and Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs). In order to build larger Bluetooth® topologies, called scatternets, individual piconets must be interconnected. Since each piconet has a unique frequency hopping sequence, piconet interconnections are done by allowing some nodes, called bridges, to participate in more than one piconet. These bridge nodes divide their time between piconets by switching between Frequency Hopping (FH) channels and synchronizing to the piconet\u27s master. In this dissertation we address scatternet formation, routing, and security to make Bluetooth® scatternet communication feasible. We define criteria for efficient scatternet topologies, describe characteristics of different scatternet topology models as well as compare and contrast their properties, classify existing scatternet formation approaches based on the aforementioned models, and propose a distributed scatternet formation algorithm that efficiently forms a scatternet topology and is resilient to node failures. We propose a hybrid routing algorithm, using a bridge link agnostic approach, that provides on-demand discovery of destination devices by their address or by the services that devices provide to their peers, by extending the Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) to scatternets. We also propose a link level security scheme that provides secure communication between adjacent piconet masters, within what we call an Extended Scatternet Neighborhood (ESN)

Algorithms for Efficient Communication in Wireless Sensor Networks - Distributed Node Coloring and its Application in the SINR Model

In this thesis we consider algorithms that enable efficient communication in wireless ad-hoc- and sensornetworks using the so-called Signal-to-interference-and-noise-ratio (SINR) model of interference. We propose and experimentally evaluate several distributed node coloring algorithms and show how to use a computed node coloring to establish efficient medium access schedules

Spatiotemporal Multicast and Partitionable Group Membership Service

The recent advent of wireless mobile ad hoc networks and sensor networks creates many opportunities and challenges. This thesis explores some of them. In light of new application requirements in such environments, it proposes a new multicast paradigm called spatiotemporal multicast for supporting ad hoc network applications which require both spatial and temporal coordination. With a focus on a special case of spatiotemporal multicast, called mobicast, this work proposes several novel protocols and analyzes their performances. This dissertation also investigates implications of mobility on the classical group membership problem in distributed computing, proposes a new specification for a partitionable group membership service catering to applications on wireless mobile ad hoc networks, and provides a mobility-aware algorithm and middleware for this service. The results of this work bring new insights into the design and analysis of spatiotemporal communication protocols and fault-tolerant computing in wireless mobile ad hoc networks