Open Topics in the Area of Quantum Communication Networks, Post-Shannon Communication, Guesswork, and Molecular Communications

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MolecularThesis

Study of Simulation Platforms to Analyse Quantum Communication Networks

Supervisor: Riccardo Bassoli

Simulating quantum-mechanical properties of quantum communication networks is not an easy task and every existing simulator is based on some initial assumptions to allow classical modelling of quantum behaviours. Each quantum simulator has pros and cons to be analysed in order to use it correctly, to model a specific aspect (or a set of aspects) of future quantum communication networks. This is fundamental to be able to correctly interpret the results obtained after simulations. The details of the thesis’ topic and the level of the targets will be adapted according to the student’s preferences, motivation and talent.
  • Starting time: February 2021
  • Diploma/Master thesis
  • Required skills: background on classical computer science and programming, ComNets2 and ComNets3

Post-Shannon Communication

No prepared topics yet.

Guessing Noise to Decode Messages

Supervisor: Juan Cabrera

An ideal channel decoder would implement a maximum likelihood decoding technique to guess what message was transmitted. This is guessing which codeword was sent by maximizing the probability of receiving the obtained message. Because this is computationally complex, channel codes are designed backward. I.e., the design of a low-complexity decoder comes first followed by the encoder. This limits the type of codes that can be used because not all codes can be decoded in practical time. However, researchers from MIT and Maynooth University have proven that by guessing the noise in the transmission channel instead of the message you can obtain similar results to a maximum likelihood decoder. The mathematical proof is complicated, yet the principle of operation is quite simple: If you receive a stream of bits that is not a valid codeword, you can flip one bit and ask if the new codeword is a valid one. If it is not, flip a different bit and repeat the process. If the probability of an error bit is low, then with a few flips and questions it is possible to decode. This opens the door to new codes since the decoding process is universal and potentially independent of the code used. We want to implement these novel techniques into our wireless system. To do that, we want to use Software Defined Radio to build the wireless channel and benchmark the novel decoder with state of the art codecs.

Study of Molecular Communications in the Context of the Internet of Bio-Nano Things

Supervisor: Riccardo Bassoli, Pit Hofmann

Nowadays, communication technologies are breaking the boundaries of common wireless and wired channels towards innovative areas, aiming to go beyond traditional mediums to novel channels to extend the opportunities and increase the range and scope of communicating devices. In this framework, nano-scale and molecular communications represent a novel and interdisciplinary subject within telecommunications. The main characteristics of Bio-molecular Nano-communications (MCs) is the use of molecules to transport information instead of electromagnetic waves. In classical communications, the carrier is employed to transport the message. In MCs, the carriers are particular molecules, which can carry chemosignals or molecular structures containing information. Nano-Bio communications paradigm consists in intra-body nano/micro networks (nanonodes, nano-sensors, nano-routers and nano-gateways).
The research focuses mainly on studying and modelling intra-body communications and their interface with classical electromagnetic-based communication networks. The thesis’ work will be devoted to study, analyse and test (via simulation/emulation) specific characteristics of these systems. The details of the thesis’ topic and the level of the targets will be adapted according to the student’s preferences, motivation and talent.

Study of Effective and Efficient Medium-Access Control Mechanisms for Molecular Communications

Supervisor: Riccardo Bassoli, Pit Hofmann

Nowadays, communication technologies are breaking the boundaries of common wireless and wired channels towards innovative areas, aiming to go beyond traditional mediums to novel channels to extend the opportunities and increase the range and scope of communicating devices. In this framework, nano-scale and molecular communications represent a novel and interdisciplinary subject within telecommunications. In molecular communications, the medium can be wet or dry and the conditions significantly affect the propagation. For example, the speed of the medium (faster than the speed of the molecules) can influence the communication between nanomachines.
The research focuses mainly on access control to the physical transmission medium. The channel access control mechanisms provided by the MAC layer are also known as a multiple access protocol. The thesis’ work will be devoted to study, analyse and test (via simulation/emulation) specific characteristics of these systems. The details of the thesis’ topic and the level of the targets will be adapted according to the student’s preferences, motivation and talent.

Study of an Automation for Molecular Communication Networks

Supervisor: Riccardo Bassoli, Pit Hofmann

Nowadays, communication technologies are breaking the boundaries of common wireless and wired channels towards innovative areas, aiming to go beyond traditional mediums to novel channels to extend the opportunities and increase the range and scope of communicating devices. In this framework, nano-scale and molecular communications represent a novel and interdisciplinary subject within telecommunications. The main characteristics of molecular communication is the use of molecules to transport information instead of electromagnetic waves. In classical communications, the carrier is employed to transport the message. In MCs, the carriers are particular molecules, which can carry chemosignals or molecular structures containing information. In particular, future networks should be designed around virtualized functions. It is based on the concept, that network functions, traditionally provided by vendor-specific devices, are coded in a software-based manner on standardized hardware.

The research focuses mainly on the design of software functionalities to automate molecular communication. It is based on a novel combination of network functions virtualization and molecular communication. The thesis’ work will be devoted to study, analyse and test (via simulation/emulation) specific characteristics of these systems. The details of the thesis’ topic and the level of the targets will be adapted according to the student’s preferences, motivation and talent.



You haven’t found anything interesting for you? This does not mean that there aren’t any interesting topics at our chair! Please contact Tung. He will help you to get in contact with a suitable supervisor. We will then create an individual topic that also fits your interest 😉