Networked systems: Wireless connectivity and self-organization

Bettstetter and his team conduct research driven by the transformative impact of networked mobile devices and the rise of cyber-physical systems. Their work focuses on modeling, designing, and analyzing novel techniques for wireless connectivity and self-organization in networked systems, applied to fields like telecommunications, IoT, robotics, and transportation.

The portfolio includes stochastic modeling and analysis, distributed algorithms and protocols, simulation and performance evaluation, prototyping on programmable hardware, and wireless and robotic experiments. Their theoretical work uses methods from stochastic geometry, network theory, and queuing theory, with a particular focus on applying principles of self-organization observed in nature to engineering.

Current activities center on interference in wireless systems, self-organized network synchronization, reliable industrial sensing networks, and communications and coordination in multi-drone systems. The group is part of the university’s doctoral school on networked autonomous aerial vehicles and an interdisciplinary cluster on self-organizing systems.

Highlights

Grants and contracts

Ongoing projects

• Science Kolleg: DroneScope for smart agriculture (Karl Popper program, 2025–28)
• Self-fulfilling prophecies in the digital age (Ada Lovelace program, 2024–27)
• Drones in cellular networks (FWF, 2022–26)
• Self-organizing synchronization with stochastic coupling (FWF, 2018–23)

Selection of completed projects and programs

• Condition and energy monitoring with ultra-reliable sensor networks (FFG, 2021–23)
• Drone communications over cellular networks (T-Mobile/Magenta, Deutsche Telekom, 2017–21)
• Science Kolleg: Networked autonomous aerial vehicles (Karl Popper program, 2017–21)
• Dependable, secure, and time-aware sensor networks (FFG COMET K project, 2017–21)
• Self-powered UWB-based industrial sensor networks (FFG/KWF, 2018–19)
• Reliable wireless sensor networks for aircraft applications (Airbus, 2015–18)
• Adaptive access management for cabin-based transport systems (SKIDATA, 2015–18)
• Dynamics of interference in wireless networks (FWF, 2012–17)
• European PhD school: Interactive and cognitive environments (EU EM, 2010–17)
• Self-organizing intelligent network of UAVs (EU/KWF/BABEG, 2013–15)
• Robust self-organizing slot synchronization in networked embedded systems (FFG, 2010–2013)
• Cooperative relaying in wireless networks (EU/KWF/BABEG, 2008–13)
• Collaborative microdrones (EU/KWF/BABEG, 2008–12)
• Cooperative spatial diversity in ad hoc networks (Orange Labs, 2006–09)
• European network: Middleware for network eccentric and mobile applications (ESF, 2006–09)
• System architecture, mobility, and modeling of ad hoc networks (DFG, 2000–04)
• List of all grants and contracts

Infrastructure

The laboratory infrastructure includes a high-end communications and signal processing lab, mobile robotics and drones lab, programmable radio lab, and sensor networks lab.

Offices are located in the Lakeside Science & Technology Park with access to various facilities, such as a forthcoming 5G playground and a fablab.

Collaboration partners (past and present)

Industry

• Airbus
• BMW
• Deutsche Telekom
• DOCOMO Euro-Labs
• Magenta (T-Mobile Austria)
• NEC Laboratories Europe
• Orange Labs (France Télécom R&D)
• SKIDATA

Academia

• João Barros, University of Porto, Portugal
• Timothy X Brown, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
• Andrea Cavallaro, Queen Mary University of London, UK
• Martin Haenggi, University of Notre Dame, USA
• Petar Popovski, Aalborg University, Denmark
• Bernhard Rinner and Hermann Hellwagner, University of Klagenfurt, Austria
• Walid Saad, Virginia Tech, USA
• Paolo Santi and Giovanni Resta, Institute of Informatics and Telematics, CNR, Pisa, Italy; PS now MIT
• Marc Timme, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics & Self-Organization, Göttingen; now TU Dresden
• Stavros Toumpis, Athens UEB, Greece
• Friederike Wall, University of Klagenfurt, Austria
• Adam Wolisz and Holger Karl, TU Berlin, Germany; HK now U Paderborn