Program Overview

Program Overview

The university program focuses on Wireless Communication Networks with Energy Cooperation, aiming to maximize system lifetime and quality of data by utilizing electromagnetic energy in the communication channel.

Research Objectives

The specific objectives of this research are:

• To study the impact of transmission power level on BER, energy efficiency curve, transmission range, and interfere range
• To find out how/whether WEH nodes are different from conventional wireless motes
• To study the lifetime of energy harvesting system, including different lifetime definitions:
  • Network lifetime based on number of alive nodes
  • Network lifetime based on sensor coverage
  • Network lifetime based on connectivity
  • Network lifetime based on application QoS requirements
• Case studies:
  • No energy harvesting
  • With energy harvesting, nodes transmit at the most efficient power level
  • With energy harvesting, nodes transmit at the maximum power level
• Develop indoor propagation models for networks

Student Preparation

Qualifications

Familiarity with Matlab is required.

Time Commitment

The time commitment for this program is 28 to 40 hours/month.

Skills/Techniques Gained

Students will gain fundamentals of:

• Wireless networks and topology
• Wireless electromagnetic energy
• Energy harvesting devices
• Channel communication models

Mentoring Plan

The mentoring plan includes:

• One on one meeting with the student every other week
• Student will attend weekly research group meeting and engage in technical discussions with peer and advisor

Grand Engineering Challenge

The program contributes to the Grand Engineering Challenge of advancing personalized learning.