# CAREER: CatFly: Towards Resilience-Native Wireless Networks through Learning, Twinning, and Reconfiguring Co-Design

> **NSF 01002930DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · North Carolina State University (NC) · $680,760

## Abstract

The evolution of next-generation (NextG) mobile and wireless networks is driven by a move toward higher carrier frequencies, such as millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands. Higher frequencies provide higher capacity but also have a much shorter distance range for coverage compared to lower-frequency signals. This means that a single access point (AP) or a base station cannot cover a large area leading to smaller areas (cells) with each AP handling a smaller number of users. This dense deployment of  small-cell APs necessitates a heightened level of intelligence and timely situational awareness to enhance network resilience and self-reconfigurability in the face of various challenges like network or AP failures. To tackle these challenges, this project pursues a novel resilience-native network paradigm called CatFly,  which embraces a data-driven learning approach that utilizes a digital replica of the physical network with sufficient details to swiftly achieve preemptive operations against disruptions. Armed with this hybrid digital-physical (HDP) intelligence, networks are always ready and responsive, employing outcomes of their what-if analysis to reconfigure the physical network and ensure resilience.  

The project aims to utilize a combination of techniques such as network optimization, graph theory, machine learning, experimental measurements, and models that mix physical and virtual contexts. The project will advance networking technologies in three inter-related thrusts, fo

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2440756
- **Awardee organization:** North Carolina State University (NC)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** U3NVH931QJJ3
- **PI:** Yuchen Liu
- **Primary program:** 01002930DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev
- **Estimated total:** $680,760
- **Funds obligated:** $397,422
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2025 → 06/30/2030

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2440756

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2440756, CAREER: CatFly: Towards Resilience-Native Wireless Networks through Learning, Twinning, and Reconfiguring Co-Design. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2440756. Licensed CC0.

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