MIT Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

Hybrid Communication Networks: the "Last Mile" and Efficient Broadband Service Provision

Professor John S. Baras
Center for Satellite and Hybrid Communication Networks, University of Maryland, College Park

Wednesday, April 22, 1998
2:00 PM (refreshments 1:45)
Grier Room, Room 34-401B
EECS Special Seminar

Abstract

Hybrid communication networks (i.e., interoperable satellite, terrestrial wireline and wireless networks) represent a technically efficient and economically feasible global information infrastructure. Novel network architectures have emerged due to the growth of broadband satellite and terrestrial wireless networks, the variety of options for the "last mile" and the dramatic growth in the demand for Internet and broadband data services. In this talk I will first describe current and future hybrid network architectures and present a set of key technical challenges.

I will then present recent results on effective algorithms for network resource allocation and information distribution via hybrid networks. The primary motivation for this work is the need for efficient and scalable information distribution to very large number of users. The background is provided by our earlier joint work with industry on hybrid, asymmetric, fast Internet access and related products. The specific results will focus on:

(i) The control and operation of fast hybrid Internet services. I will present algorithms for allocating bandwidth and scheduling of "push" information demand (i.e., broadcast and multicast) and "pull" information demand (i.e., interactive users). I will also present results on the estimation of maximum load and performance.

(ii) Innovative adaptive broadcast schemes for hybrid information distribution. These algorithms identify items requested by many users (hot spots) and distribute them efficiently by broadcasting or multicasting. I will show that these algorithms perform efficiently even under dynamic and rapidly changing workloads (transient hotspots).

I will close the talk by defining three specific foci of my future research in hybrid networks: intelligent network management, network design and engineering, design of high performance universal access hardware.