Room-area networks

Peter A. Iannucci, Ravi Netravali, Ameesh K. Goyal, Hari Balakrishnan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper makes the case for "Room-Area Networks" (RAN), a new category that falls between personal area networks and local area networks. In a RAN, a set of nodes can hear each other only if they are in the same room, broadly construed as being within earshot. We define a RAN abstraction, and we present example applications ranging from social contact management to building automation to gaming where this abstraction will help. The requirements of a RAN are poorly served by current technologies such as Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, and infrared. Acoustic channels, on the other hand, are well-suited in principle for effective propagation within human earshot and sharp attenuation at room boundaries. We provide a portable reference implementation of an 802.11a-like physical layer for the acoustic medium that works on current mobile devices, with successful communication even in noisy environments at distances over 8 meters.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 14th ACM Workshop on Hot Topics in Networks, HotNets-XIV 2015
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery, Inc
ISBN (Electronic)9781450340472
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 16 2015
Externally publishedYes
Event14th ACM Workshop on Hot Topics in Networks, HotNets-XIV 2015 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: Nov 16 2015Nov 17 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 14th ACM Workshop on Hot Topics in Networks, HotNets-XIV 2015

Other

Other14th ACM Workshop on Hot Topics in Networks, HotNets-XIV 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period11/16/1511/17/15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Networks and Communications

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Room-area networks'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this