Introduction

Established together with the Politecnico di Torino, INLab focuses on integrated networks for voice, video and data transfer.

What it does

The activities carried out by the laboratory include:

• Analysis and study of technological scenarios
• Applied research projects regarding innovative technologies
• Development of technological demos
• Technology transfer to the local area with particular attention to the business world and the Public Administration
• Dissemination of innovative technologies, tools and standards
• Presentation of results nationally and internationally.

Research Themes

The work of the laboratory focuses mainly on:

• BWA-Broadband Wireless Access. Analysing technologies used to create broadband wireless networks for fixed, nomadic and mobile users such as WiMAX Mobile (802.16e) 802.20, WiBro and  UWB (Ultra-Wide-Band).
• Ad Hoc Networking and Car-to-Car Communications. Research work in the field of ad hoc networking, with particular reference to the following scenarios:
  
  • Mesh networks for coverage in urban areas
  • Vehicle to infrastructure communications (V2I)
  • Vehicle to vehicle communications (V2V)
  • Sensor networks (802.15.4, ZigBee).
• Self-configuring networks. Analysing, designing and implementing algorithms for the automatic configuration of wireless network nodes, with particular reference to:
  
  • selecting the frequency to use for each wireless connection
  • automatic IP address assignment.
  • centralized servers: useful for point-to-point connections and WiFi hot-spots
  • fully distributed algorithms, ideal for managing mesh networks.
• SDR-Software Defined Radio. Studying radio applications based on new level 1 and 2 protocols and the ISO/OSI model:
  
  • optimizing the transmission channel
  • systems based on multiple radio interfaces
  • cognitive radio.
• Localization systems and LBS (Location Based Services). In the context of localization systems, the laboratory focuses on:
  
  • indoor localization systems: using solutions based on GPS repeaters
  • information available from the use of other technologies: e.g. analysing WiFi communications parameters
  • designing and implementing LBS, where the user’s position is used to receiveinformation in real time via a broadband wireless network.
• Measuring performance in IP networks. Activities to support the experimentation carried out, and in particular:
  
  • evaluating products used to analyse wireless networks and carry out radio planning
  • prototyping tools for generating traffic on data networks, in order to be able to assess performance under stress
  • analysing internet traffic.
• Publish-Subscribe protocols. Study and implementation of protocols for publishing and offering subscriptions  to services for wireless network users; the algorithms analysed and the prototype developed are designed for use in the context of mesh networks and V2V-V2I networks.
• Swarm networks.
  
  • Wireless communication protocols between members of the swarm
  • Swarm Intelligence.