Core Technology for TCS (Transport, Communications, and Storage) Projects

Liquid Wireless Networking for Real-Time Data-Intensive Rural Applications

Liquid Wireless NetworkingRural broadband is a foundation for rural economy and quality of life, and many rural applications require real-time data-intensive communications. To address the rural broadband challenge, wireless networks are essential building blocks. However, rural wireless is subject to environmental factors such as weather, terrain, foliage, and crop types and densities, and there exist complex network dynamics and uncertainties (e.g., spatiotemporal uncertainties of wireless links).

Liquid Data Networking

Packet loss often occurs when transmitting over wireless links, due to interference, intermittent obstacles, routing changes as conditions vary, etc. As examples, interference and the resulting packet loss are major concerns as the Internet is extended using wireless mesh networks, 5G millimeter wave transmission is known to be prone to packet loss with even the slightest obstruction, and slight variations in atmospheric conditions cause packet loss in laser communications between ground stations and drones or satellites.

Low latency/high reliability streaming video prototype based on RaptorQ

We are happy to announce the availability of prototype software implementing low latency/high reliability video streaming based on RaptorQ.  The prototype uses the ROUTE protocol, which in turn uses RaptorQ to provide protection against packet loss. ROUTE and RaptorQ are specified in A/331, “Signaling, Delivery, Synchronization, and Error Protection”, as part of the ATSC 3.0 standard for delivery of media and non-timed data.

Intelligent Channel Management for Wireless Mesh Networks

ICSI's TCS team is working with Facebook to build and evaluate a system wide network channel management tool for a wireless mesh network. The aim of the collaboration is to increase wireless capacity, decrease interference between devices (self and external), and provide more automated and intelligent network channel management and planning.

Funding being provided by Facebook Connectivity.

Enhancements for Wireless Mesh Networks

ICSI's TCS team is working with Facebook to simulate, understand and enhance wireless mesh networks. The main goal of the effort is to build a high fidelity simulator for wireless mesh networks to understand the performance scaling of such networks and improve coverage, density, throughput. Potential enhancements include extending the reach and performance of wireless mesh networks i.e. to support more hops and/or provide superior internet connectivity, using technology which avoids deep changes to the network or wireless technology.

Codornices

The RaptorQ erasure code (specified in IETF RFC 6330) enables reliable wireless communication systems, including high quality streaming and delivery of large data packages.
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Under the auspices of the International Computer Science Institute, the Codornices project aims to spur further adoption and deployment of RaptorQ by developing a high performance software implementation of RaptorQ and developing application software that supports different use cases and standards that leverage RaptorQ.