Many of these problems are accessible to an undergraduate with a good background in algebra. Mobile computing, with portable computers connected to the Internet via a wireless network wherever the users happen to be, will enable people to communicate and work in many radically new ways. Unlike the wired data networks, wireless networks exhibit high error rates and interruptions of transmission due to the physics of radio propagation. Such behavior of the transmission channels interacts in unexpected ways with network protocols and applications. Due to high complexity of communications networks, studies of their behavior rely on extensive simulations.
Good simulations require good approximate models of packet traffic.
This is very different from the well-studied voice traffic in the telephone networks. Basic knowledge of probability theory and stochastic processes is required. Some knowledge of data communications would be helpful, but is not required. The goal of our project is to design and build a system for radio wave propagation prediction. A few more prediction methods will be added before the start of summer so that we will be ready for the addition of a very important component, a ray-tracing system for radio wave propagation modeling and signal strength prediction.