CAREER: Cross Layer Resource Allocation in Wireless Networks

Northwestern University, Evanston IL

Investigators

Abstract

Layering has long been a basic architectural principal in communication networks. Recently, however, there has been much interest in exploring various techniques that allow for a stronger coupling across traditional layer boundaries, in particular between the physical layer and higher network layers in wireless networks. At the physical layer, the fundamental performance trade-offs as given by information theory are, in many cases, well understood. When higher layer objectives, such as delay, enter the picture, there is much less fundamental understanding. This research is addressing several key problems in cross-layer resource allocation in wireless networks. In these problems, physical layer "radio resources" are dynamically allocated over time and between users in order to satisfy both network layer and physical layer performance requirements. Ideas from information theory and communication theory are used for modeling the physical communication channels. Queueing theoretic models are used for incorporating network-level quality of service issues. The emphasis of this effort is to improve understanding of the basic architectural trade-offs and fundamental performance limitations in these settings.