Optimization of Cognitive Wireless Networks using Compressive Sensing and Probabilistic Graphical Models
Giorgio Quer · Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) · 2011
In-network data aggregation to increase the efficiency of data gathering solutions for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is a challenging task. In the first part of this thesis, we address the problem of accurately reconstructing distributed signals through the collection of a small number of samples at a Data Collection Point (DCP). We exploit Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to learn the relevant statistical characteristics of the signals of interest at the DCP. Then, at the DCP we use this knowledge to design a matrix required by the recovery techniques, that exploit convex optimization (Compressive Sensing, CS) in order to recover the whole signal sensed by the WSN from a small number of samples gathered. In order to integrate this monitoring model in a compression/recovery framework, we apply the logic of the cognition paradigm: we first observe the network, then we learn the relevant statistics of the signals, we apply it to recover the signal and to make decisions, that we effect through the control loop. This compression/recovery framework with a feedback control loop is named "Sensing, Compression and Recovery through ONline Estimation" (SCoRe1). The whole framework is designed for a WSN architecture, called WSN-control, that is accessible from the Internet. We also analyze with a Bayesian approach the whole framework to justify theoretically the choices made in our protocol design. The second part of the thesis deals with the application of the cognition paradigm to the optimization of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). In this work, we propose an architecture for cognitive networking that can be integrated with the existing layered protocol stack. Specifically, we suggest the use of a probabilistic graphical model for modeling the layered protocol stack. In particular, we use a Bayesian Network (BN), a graphical representation of statistical relationships between random variables, in order to describe the relationships among a set of stack-wide protocol parameters and to exploit this cross-layer approach to optimize the network. In doing so, we use the knowledge learned from the observation of the data to predict the TCP throughput in a single-hop wireless network and to infer the future occurrence of congestion at the TCP layer in a multi-hop wireless network. The approach followed in the two main topics of this thesis consists of the following phases: (i) we apply the cognition paradigm to learn the specific probabilistic characteristics of the network, (ii) we exploit this knowledge acquired in the first phase to design novel protocol techniques, (iii) we analyze theoretically and through extensive simulation such techniques, comparing them with other state of the art techniques, and (iv) we evaluate their performance in real networking scenarios.