The FLoWS (Fundamental Limits of Wireless Systems) project is part of the 5 year DARPA program to advance Information Theory for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (ITMANET). Our research in FLowS is based on the following program objectives:
- Expand the definition of information theory to encompass the nature and constraints inherent to wireless networks
- Exploit the powerful tools of control and optimization into this new theory
- Obtain fundamental capacity results and bounds under this broader definition
- Use the new capacity theory and its associated insights to obtain fundamental breakthroughs in the theory of wireless network design.
- Develop a generalized theory of rate distortion and network utilization to optimize the interface between networks and applications
The project has been broken down into the following four interconnected thrust areas to achieve these goals
- Metrics and Models Definition
- New Paradigms for Upper Bounds
- Layerless Dynamic Networks
- Generalized Network Interface
Our approach to the FloWS research agenda integrates traditional information theory, network coding, optimization, control, and network theory in a natural fashion. We believe that it is through such an integrated approach to information theory that a principled characterization of the fundamental limits of MANET performance can be established.
Head PI on the project is Andrea Goldsmith. Co-PIs on the project are Stephen Boyd, Todd Coleman, Michelle Effros, Ramesh Johari, Ralf Koetter, Muriel Medard, Sean Meyn, Pierre Moulin, Asuman Ozdaglar, Devavrat Shah, and Lizhong Zheng.