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Informational properties of networks under communication constraints

Project description

A paradigm shift for information networks

Future networks need to be responsive, flexible and fast because demands are increasing from both humans and machines. To this end, the EU is investing in innovative network technologies. The EU-funded InfoNet project will investigate the fundamental information properties of networks under communication constraints. Specifically, it will step away from the assumption that a network is fully connected and that the information it carries is a commodity. Instead, it will consider a new paradigm where limitations on network connectivity are imposed and pieces of information can be combined. Examples include storage systems in which the links are established by physical proximity or system architecture as well as low-power wide-area networks for IoT applications. The findings will yield insights into and design rules for the construction of information networks.

Objective

Motivated by applications to information networks such as wireless and ad-hoc, this research will explore
fundamental informational properties of networks under communication constraints. In the standard
approach, the network is assumed to be fully connected and/or the information it carries is treated as a
commodity. Here, we will investigate a markedly different paradigm where limitations on the nodes’
connectivity in the network are imposed and pieces of information can be combined. Examples include
storage systems in which the links are established by physical proximity or system architecture, as well as
low-power wide-area networks for Internet-of-Things applications. We will consider a broad spectrum of
models and topics ranging from efficient information encoding and network resiliency to information loss
under corrupt nodes to cooperative models and network information accessibility. We will study these topics
under specific network families and random networks.
While prominently theoretic, the proposed investigation is expected to yield insights and design rules for the
construction of information networks, e.g. via new data placement techniques and communication protocols.
Moreover, we plan to devote part of our study to practical aspects by implementing and testing the theory
developed in real-world networks. Such developments may well lead to a paradigm shift in the design of
resource-limited wireless communication systems, and potentially reduce energy consumption, delays, and
increase the overall information reliability. Lastly, our motivation stems from the perception that naturally
occurring phenomena in general networks are dependent on the information carried by them; this perception
is what drives both the research questions we pose and the mathematical model we define. Consequently, the
theoretical results are expected to be practical and influential across different disciplines and research areas.

Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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ERC-STG - Starting Grant

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2019-STG

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Host institution

TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 474 375,00
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 474 375,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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