A platform for exploring reconfigurability in distributed and disaggregated wireless networks

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of a platform for exploring reconfigurability in wireless networks. The types of networks that are particularly of interest here are distributed and disaggregated networks. The term disaggregated is used to describe networks that are not alone distributed but also non-homogenous and controlled by different and possibly competing entities. In distributed and disaggregated networks, network-wide reconfiguration, if indeed possible, will not be achieved through a co-ordinating or controlling entity as a global view or global control of the network does not exist. Therefore mechanisms for facilitating network-wide reconfiguration based on local knowledge only are needed. The platform presented in the paper combines research outcomes from ad hoc networking research and work carried out in the area of reconfigurable radio design in an effort to address these issues.