IEEE P1906.1

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IEEE P1906.1
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The IEEE P1906.1 - Recommended Practice for Nanoscale and Molecular Communication Framework is a standards working group sponsored by the IEEE Communications Society Standards Development Board whose goal is to develop a common framework for nanoscale and molecular communication. Because this is an emerging technology, the standard is meant to encourage innovation by determining a common definition, terminology, framework, goals, metrics, and use-cases designed to encourage more innovation and enable the technology to advance at a faster rate. The standard has entered the sponsor balloting phase and has a project completion date of 2015.

Membership

Working group membership includes members of industry and academia with backgrounds in mathematical modeling, engineering, physics, economics and biological sciences.

Content

Electronic components such as transistors, or electrical/electromagnetic message carriers whose operation is similar at the macroscale and nanoscale are excluded from the definition. A human-engineered, synthetic component must form part of the system because it is important to avoid standardizing nature or physical processes. The definition of communication, particularly in the area of cell-surface interactions as viewed by biologists versus non-biologists has been a topic of debate. The interface is viewed as a communication channel, whereas the 'receptor-signaling-gene expression' events are the network.

The draft currently comprises: definition, terminology, framework, metrics, use-cases, and reference code (ns-3).

Definition

• A precise definition of nanoscale networking
  • Academic and industrial researchers have been playing with the concept of nanoscale communication networks, but without a common, well-defined, and precise definition. Essentially, if you don’t know where you're going, you're never going to get there. The P1906.1 working group has adopted the definitive specification for a nanoscale communication network.

Terminology

• Common terminology for nanoscale networking
  • Nanoscale communication networking is a highly interdisciplinary endeavor. A clear, common language is required so that interdisciplinary researchers can work smoothly together and minimize cross-discipline misunderstanding through the common definitions. The P1906.1 working group has reached consensus on common definitions unique to nanoscale communication networks.

Framework

• A framework for ad hoc nanoscale networking
  • There is a pressing need for a conceptual model of nanoscale networks. A standardized platform for nanoscale communication network simulation is needed. Researchers are developing simulation models and packages for components related to nanoscale communication networks; however the simulation components are not interoperable, even at a conceptual level. The IEEE P1906.1 working group has adopted a nanoscale communication framework that addresses this need.

Metrics

• Metrics and analytical model are in development
  • The working group is currently in the process of developing metrics to uniquely characterize nanoscale communication networks.

Use-Cases

• Specific example applications of the standard
  • Specific use-cases of nanoscale communication implemented using the P1906.1 definition and framework are provided.

Reference Model

• Reference code to model the recommended practice is in development
  • Ns-3 reference code is currently in development that implements the developing IEEE P1906.1 recommended practice. The communication framework conceived by the P1906.1 working group has been implemented. A simple example highlighting the interaction and the role of each component in both electromagnetic-based and molecular-based communication at the nanoscale is in progress.

Applications

Applications are numerous, however, there appears to be strong emphasis on medical and biological use-cases in nanomedicine.

References

• IEEE P1906.1 - Recommended Practice for Nanoscale and Molecular Communication Framework Project Application Request (PAR).

External links

• IEEE P1906.1 - Recommended Practice for Nanoscale and Molecular Communication Framework
• Nanoscale Communication Networks