CAREER: Using Protocol Blind Spots to Develop Opportunistic Wireless Subprotocols for Advanced Adaptability

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $532,556 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Wireless technologies are continually advancing, yet already deployed legacy devices remain in use for years, making it challenging to leverage the latest innovations. Upgrading wireless hardware is costly, particularly for long-term deployments. This project addresses this problem by enhancing the adaptability of existing wireless devices without needing hardware modifications. By utilizing overlooked aspects of wireless protocols, called protocol blind spots, this project plans to increase the capabilities of current hardware. To achieve this, the project will introduce subprotocols, which are software-based extensions that operate within an existing protocol. It is expected that wireless subprotocols will lead to enabling devices to enhance performance, improve resilience and adaptability, and communicate more effectively in dynamic environments. The innovation of this project lies in the design of wireless subprotocols, a novel approach to protocol creation by incorporating a fully functional subprotocol within a base protocol, complete with its own modulation, coding, and framing. Unlike traditional methods that depend on hardware upgrades, this approach leverages software to opportunistically exploit protocol blind spots, enabling enhancements such as extending the range of communication, improving spectrum coordination, and increasing adaptability. The project consists of three objectives: to establish a testbed for subprotocol development, to create innovative subp

Key facts

NSF award ID
2440881
Awardee
Brigham Young University (UT)
SAM.gov UEI
JWSYC7RUMJD1
PI
Philip B Lundrigan
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev
Estimated total
$532,556
Funds obligated
$322,594
Transaction type
Continuing Grant
Period
07/01/2025 → 06/30/2030