Implementing Programmability and Virtualization in Wireless Networks 

D. Raychaudhuri and George Hadjichristofi
WINLAB, Rutgers University
ray@winlab.rutgers.edu

Abstract:
This talk presents a discussion of programmability and virtualization in
wireless networks.
The concept of an open/programmable radio node with plug-in radio
modules is introduced, 
and a specific implementation used for the ORBIT radio grid testbed is
given as an example.
The "LibMAC" open API used in conjunction with open-source 802.11
drivers is outlined,
and we show how experimental networks with different MAC parameters and
network layer
protocols can be executed on the testbed.  Next, we discuss the GNU/USRP
software radio which has 
been integrated into ORBIT for experiments which require greater
programming flexibility 
at the radio PHY and MAC layers.  Ongoing prototyping work on higher
performance USRP2 and WiNC2R
cogntive radio platforms and the roadmap for their integration into
ORBIT are also mentioned.
Finally, we consider the challenges of adding virtualization capability
to programmable
wireless networks.  Results from current proof-of-concept ORBIT
experiments on the "virtual AP"
and "SDMA/FDMA" modes of virtualization are given.  If logistics permit,
a demo of an
example end-to-end wired + wireless network experiment with
virtualizaton will also be shown.