Cross-Layer Optimization for Wireless Networks:

Top-Down or Bottom-Up Design?

Professor Li-Chun Wang
Department of Communications Engineering,
National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
http://cmbsd.cm.nctu.edu.twHichun

Abstract In this talk, we discuss the cross-layer optimization issues in wireless networks by investigating the
impact of physical (PHY) layers on the media access control (MAC) and higher protocol layers, or vice versa. In particular,
we explore the benefits of cross-layer design for multi-user multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO) cellular mobile networks,
wireless local area networks (WLAN), and wireless sensor networks (WSN).
In the first part of this talk, from the standpoint of the top-down design, i.e. from MAC layer to PHY layer, we introduce the
concept of ??soft coverage?? in MU-MIMO cellular mobile systems. Specifically, the MAC layer multi-user scheduling
algorithm is designed to improve the coverage of MIMO cellular mobile systems without increasing transmission power in
the PHY layer. Next, we show that the multi-user scheduling algorithm can also simplify the design of MIMO receiver as
well. It will be demonstrated that a simple zero-forcing MIMO receiver combined with appropriate multi-user scheduling
algorithm can achieve the performance of the optimal MIMO receiver.
In the second part of this talk, from the viewpoint of the bottom-up design, i.e., from PHY layer to higher protocol layer,
we first discuss how radio propagation channels affect the design of rate adaptation schemes of WLAN. Specifically, we
show that it is not necessary to adopt the complete eight modulation and coding (MCS) modes specified in IEEE 802.11
WLAN for various transmission rates in a Rayleigh fading fading. An efficient joint power and rate-adaptive IEEE 802.11
WLAN based on the concept of reduced-mode MCS will be discussed, which can avoid using inefficient MCS transmission
modes by taking account of PHY layer effects. Next, for the power-sensitive WSN, we discuss how to develop a
PHY/MAC/Network cross-layer analytical approach to determine the optimal number of clusters with minimal energy
consumption in various radio propagation channel conditions.

Biography
SHORT BIO of Professor Li-Chun Wang: Li-Chun Wang (S 92-M 96-SM 06) received the B.S.
degree in electrical engineering from the National Chiao-Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan , in
1986, the M.S. degree in electrical engineering from the National Taiwan University, Taipei,
Taiwan , in 1988, and the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Georgia
Institute ofTechnology, Atlanta, in1995 and 1996, respectively.
From1990 to 1992, he was with Chunghwa Telecom. In1995, he was affiliated with Northern
Telecom in Richardson, Texas. From 1996 to 2000, he was with AT&T Laboratories, where
he was a Senior Technical Staff Member in the Wireless Communications Research
Department. In August 2000, he joined the Department of Communication Engineering of
National Chiao-Tung University in Taiwan as an associate professor and has been a full
professor since August 2005. Dr. Wang was a co- recipient of the Jack Neubauer Best Paper
Award from the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society in1997. His current research interests
are in the areas of cellular architectures, radio network resource management, cross-layer optimization for cooperative and
cognitive wireless networks. He is the holder of seven U.S. patents with four more pending.