Introducing consciousness in UWB networks by hybrid modelling of admission control

We formalize a model for a self-organizing network of nodes that operate according to the UWB principle based on hybrid modelling formalism. We design the rules that lead to the formation of the network and in particular an admission control procedure that is capable to handle both continuous and discrete perturbations, while maintaining the network in a condition of stability. Cognition is introduced in the model by allowing nodes to adjust their rules of operation based on the perception of the environment by an elected node, serving as the observer, that is aware of context, evaluates, and selects one strategy of operation. Maria-Gabriella Di Benedetto obtained her Ph.D. in Telecommunications in 1987 from the University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy. In 1991, she joined the Faculty of Engineering of University of Rome La Sapienza, where currently she is a Full Professor of Telecommunications at the Infocom Department. She has held visiting positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Paris XI, France. In 1994, she received the Mac Kay Professorship award from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research interests include wireless communication systems and speech science. From 1995 to 2000, she directed four European projects for the design of UMTS. Since 2000, she has been active in fostering the development of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radio communications in Europe. Within the 5th framework, she directed for the Infocom Dept. two European projects (whyless.com and UCAN) aimed at the design and implementation of UWB ad-hoc networks. Currently, within the 6th EU Framework, her “Networking with UWB” research group participates in the PULSERS Integrated Project which will integrate UWB research and development in Europe for the next years, and in the LIAISON Integrated Project as regards the application of UWB to location-based services. She also participates in the HYCON network of excellence. Dr. Di Benedetto has co-edited several Special Issues on UWB communications and networks for several Journals including IEEE JSAC, Journal of Communications and Networks, Mobile Networks and Applications, Eurasip. In 2004, Dr. Di Benedetto co-authored with G. Giancola the first published book on UWB for communications titled “Understanding Ultra Wide Band Radio Fundamentals” and published by Prentice Hall. She recently completed the co-edition of two new books on UWB that will be published by 2005: UWB Communication Systems—A comprehensive overview, with T. Kaiser, D. Porcino, A. Molisch, and I. Oppermann, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2005, and Ultra Wideband Wireless Communications with H. Arslan and Z.N. Chen, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005. Maria Domenica Di Benedetto obtained the “Dr. Ing.” degree (summa cum laude) of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Roma “La Sapienza” in 1976 (Mosè Ascoli Best Student Award). In 1981, she obtained the degree “Docteur-Ingénieur” and in 1987 the degree “Doctorat d’Etat ès Sciences”, Université de Paris-Sud, Orsay, France. From 1979 to 1983, she had been Research Engineer at the scientific centers of IBM in Paris and Rome. From 1983 to 1987, she had been Assistant Professor at the University of Roma “La Sapienza”. From 1987 to 1990, she had been Associate Professor at the Istituto Universitario Navale of Naples. From 1990 to 1993, had been Associate Professor at the University of Roma “La Sapienza”. Since 1994, she has been Professor of Control Theory at University of L’Aquila. From 1995 to 2002, she was Adjunct Professor, Department of EECS, University of California at Berkeley. In 1987, she was Visiting Scientist at MIT; in 1988, 1989 and 1992, Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; in 1992, Chercheur Associé, C.N.R.S., Poste Rouge, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique, Nantes, France; in 1990, 1992, 1994 and 1995, McKay Professor at the University of California at Berkeley. Her research interests revolve around nonlinear control and hybrid systems. She was Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions of Automatic Control and has been Subject Editor of the International Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control since 1995. Since 2005, she has been a member of the IFAC Technical Committee on Discrete Event and Hybrid Systems. Since 2000, she has been the Director of the Center of Excellence for Research DEWS on “Architectures and Design methodologies for Embedded controllers, Wireless interconnect and System-on-chip”, University of L’Aquila. She is IEEE Fellow and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Fellow Nominations, IEEE Control Systems Society. Guerino Giancola received the “Laurea” degree (magna cum laude) in Telecommunications Engineering, and the Ph.D. degree in Information and Communication Engineering from University of Rome La Sapienza, in 2001 and 2005, respectively. He is currently a research affiliate at the INFOCOM Department at University of Rome La Sapienza, where is actually holding the course of “Electrical Communications” for the degree on Electronic Engineering. His research interests include the analysis and modelling of Multi User Interference in Impulse Radio systems, and the design of Medium Access Control functions and protocols for UWB ad-hoc networks. Guerino Giancola recently co-authored with Prof. Maria-Gabriella Di Benedetto a book on Ultra Wide Band from radio to the network, titled “Understanding Ultra Wide Band Radio Fundamentals” and published by Prentice Hall in June 2004. He is now involved in the European project “PULSERS—Pervasive Ultra wideband Low Spectral Energy Radio Systems” and in the European Network of Excellence “HYCON—Hybrid Control: Taming Heterogeneity and Complexity of Networked Embedded Systems”. Guerino Giancola is a member of the IEEE Communication Society.