In Mobile Ad-hoc Networks[1] mobile devices (smartphones, laptops) and static routers are connected directly using WiFi (IEEE 802.11) technology in ad-hoc mode. In contrast to infrastructure mode, where all communication must pass through WiFi routers, mobile nodes can move and directly exchange data with a changing set of neighbouring nodes, creating “mesh networks”. Example application scenarios of wireless mesh networks are the infrastructureless, opportunistic mobile networks for out-door fieldworkers and robots.
In order to maintain end-to-end communication while nodes move, Mobile Ad-hoc Routing Protocols are needed for updated forwarding paths in mobile networks. olsrd and olsrd2 are both Link State Routing Protocol (RFC 3626, RFC 7191 [2]) implementations optimized for Mobile ad-hoc networks on embedded devices [3]. The routing protocol was used by Freifunk, Funkfeuer and others to build Community Mesh Networks [4].
In this project, we will setup and optimize a mesh network of heterogeneous mobile devices using the available OLSR protocol implementations. Further, a mobile app for the communication on the mesh network will be developed. The gained knowledge encourages students in future works, which involve improving or extending olsrd functionality for more complex applications or mesh network research.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_ad_hoc_network [2] http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc3626, http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7181 [3] http://www.olsr.org/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page [4] http://www.freifunk.net/, http://www.funkfeuer.at/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_community_network
Topic 2 (PJ only)
Graphical live plotting tool for a MAC layer monitoring tool on Linux
The objective under this project topic is to implement a real-time plotting component for visualizing the measurements collected by an existing Linux kernel-level network measurement tool, RegMon.
RegMon is a tool developed at DAI-Labor to monitor the MAC layer state of Atheros 802.11n ath9k driver. RegMon outputs the sampled state in a .csv file, which is currently parsed and plotted in an offline fashion with R The specific goal in the project is to plot the measurements in real time by a new programmed software that connects to the OpenWrt router, receives the RegMon trace file, parses and plots it.
This project can be done individually in groups of two.
Topic 3 (PJ only)
Synchronous music playback with WLAN speakers
The objective in this project is to design and develop a WiFi-based audio streaming solution for multiple speakers. The challenge is to ensure synchronous playback at both speakers, which stream audio from a single source over the local WiFi network.
You will be provided with two OpenWRT routers, each equipped with a sound card and speakers. Your specific goal will be that after pressing a button on one router, an mp3 audio file is played on both routers in a synchron fashion.
This project can be done individually or as a group project of two.
Topic 4 (PJ only)
GPS mapping of measured SNR values from 4G network The objective under this project topic is to create a map of 4G SNR values per location
You will be provided with an OpenWRT router together with an LTE stick and a GPS mouse Your specific goal is to program a script that combines the SNR measurements from the LTE stick with the GPS coordinates from the GPS mouse A second part is to plot the measured SNR data set on a map (google map, open street map, etc.)
This project can be undertaken individually.
Topic 5 (PJ only)
Load-balancing a dual 4G uplink Hotspot
This project topic is concerned with the extension of a load balancing package on OpenWRT.
You will be provided with an OpenWrt Router with 2 LTE sticks connected Both LTE sticks can be used with the current loadbalancing mwan3 package from OpenWRT Your goal is to extend the wman3 loadbalancing package to respect the current LTE stick network connectivity. E.g: if one stick uses UMTS and the other LTE, we would like to use the faster LTE uplink
This project can be done individually.