Networked systems: Wireless connectivity and self-organization

The work of Bettstetter and his team is driven by the technological and societal change caused by interconnected devices and the emergence of cyberphysical systems. Their research encompasses the design, modeling, and analysis of novel techniques for wireless connectivity and self-organization in networked systems with application to telecommunications, IoT, robotics, and transportation.

The portfolio covers stochastic modeling and analysis, distributed algorithms and protocols, simulation and performance analysis, prototyping on programmable hardware, and wireless and robotic experiments. Theoretical work uses methods from stochastic geometry, queuing theory, and random graphs. A special emphasis is given to applying principles of self-organization from nature to technical systems.

Current activities focus on interference in wireless systems, self-organizing network synchronization, reliable industrial sensor 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 its interdisciplinary cluster on self-organizing systems.

Highlights

Grants and contracts

Ongoing projects

• Drones in cellular networks (FWF, 2022–25)
• Condition and energy monitoring with ultra-reliable sensor networks (FFG, 2021–23)
• Self-organizing synchronization with stochastic coupling (FWF, 2018–23)

Selection of completed projects and programs

• Drone communications over cellular networks (T-Mobile/Magenta, Deutsche Telekom, 2017–21)
• Science Kolleg: Networked autonomous aerial vehicles (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
• NEC Laboratories Europe
• Orange Labs (France Télécom R&D)
• SKIDATA
• T-Mobile Austria

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