Ad Hoc Wireless Network for Rapidly Moving Disadvantaged Users

Mushroom Networks Inc. with collaboration of CalIT2 from University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is proposing to design, simulate, and implement a multi-hop wireless networking architecture with portable battery powered radios with limited transmission power capabilities. The architecture will be specifically optimized to deliver a text-based chat service, and when possible a voice-based Push-To-Talk service. In Phase I of the project a simulation model of the candidate architecture and protocols will be developed. One simulation model will assume standard 802.11 radio hardware. Other simulation models will incorporate hypothetical enhancements to 802.11 hardware to provide more flexibility to control the PHY layer transmission parameters and more information about PHY layer parameters when a packet is received. The simulation models will guide the further development and implementation of a prototype network that delivers the voice-based Push-To-Talk service in Phase II of this project.