OPNEX is structured in four technical workpackages (WP). In addition, there exist two horizontal workpackages dedicated to project management and dissemination.
WP1: Optimization-based modeling, analysis and design of wireless networks
The objectives of this workpackage are the following:
- Use control and optimization theory as vehicles to develop algorithms and techniques suitable for modeling in wireless multi-hop networks
- Develop advanced models that capture mechanisms from physical up to transport layer, as well as cross-layer interaction and inclusion of energy constraints in the formulation
- Investigate and compare the performance of different concepts of network control such as packet- versus flow-level and different degrees of distributed operation
- Quantify the effect of different types of distributed algorithms on fundamental attainable performance limits of wireless networks
- Develop techniques to push the performance limits of wireless networks well beyond current ones
WP2: Algorithm design and analysis for distributed and autonomous operation of wireless networks
The objectives of this workpackage are the following:
- Pave the way from optimization theory to algorithm design for transport, routing and scheduling operations as well as combinations thereof in wireless networks
- Ensure decentralized network operation by designing efficient distributed algorithms for link scheduling and other network control mechanisms that involve coupling among node actions
- Ensure autonomous network operation by promoting honest execution of the protocol and discouraging protocol misbehavior.
WP3: Architecting the optimization-based protocol stack for wireless networks
The objectives of this workpackage are the following:
- Bridge the gap between theoretical approaches and ready-to-implement protocols by addressing currently unresolved practical issues for architecting protocols
- Develop light-weight implementations of protocols in terms of computational complexity and required signaling overhead
- Deal with long-lasting problems in wireless protocol design, such as partial, inaccurate or delayed network state information, and asynchronous distributed protocol operation.
WP4: Protocol implementation, deployment and experimentation
The objectives of this workpackage are the following:
- Understand the requirements and constraints of optimization-driven implementation
- Set up two operational wireless experimental test-beds, one based on IEEE 802.11 hardware and one sensor network test-bed
- Translate the algorithms and protocols of WP2 and WP3 into operational implemented protocols
- Develop appropriate module to link MAC and higher layer functionalities
- Implement an optimization-driven protocol suite and demonstrate superior performance on the test-beds