New horizons for wireless communication
Wireless communication technology is improving rapidly, and one recent development in the field is opportunistic networking. The technology is based on data storing, carrying and forwarding by mobile nodes that exploit wireless ad hoc communication channels in the same vicinity. Such a solution is resistant to interruptions in wireless communication as it makes use of node mobility to send data. It creates robust systems that are ideal in search and rescue applications, as well as in areas where the communication network is overloaded or damaged. In this context, the EU-funded project 'Improving the realism of mobility and cooperation models in opportunistic networks' (MOVE-R) investigated human mobility and device cooperation to further this promising technology. It studied movement of people by looking at mobility patterns generated by Global Positioning System or cellular network data. This involved looking at types of traffic in specific scenarios such as during a rescue mission involving an isolated community. Lastly, the project team examined how devices running on this technology operate, including energy consumption. The project's results have been outlined in 17 publications, as well as through the Communication Systems Group, ETH Zurich, in Switzerland. Beyond powerful implications in the search and rescue field, the technology can potentially facilitate the assessment of road traffic through cellular data, contributing to road management and city planning. Opportunity networks could redefine wireless communications, and MOVE-R represents a noteworthy step in this evolving field.
Keywords
Wireless communication, opportunistic networking, mobile nodes, search and rescue, cooperation model, mobility patterns
