Enabling real-time communications in resource-constrained networks

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) applications require flexible and high-performance data channels, but many IoT networks can only support single-use case applications, which limits their performance and flexibility for real-time and streaming applications. LoRa offers a flexible physical network layer but lacks the resource management needed in its link layer protocols to support real-time flows. My initial contribution, the Beartooth Relay Protocol (BRP), expands the performance envelope of LoRa, making it suitable for a wide range of IoT applications, including those requiring real-time and streaming capabilities, and aims to address the problem. However, the resource-limited nature of LoRa does not allow BRP to scale to multi-hop mesh network deployments while maintaining real-time streams. To address the limitations of BRP in supporting mesh network deployments and real-time streams beyond two hops, we focus on developing the second-generation Beartooth Radios, MKII, and the first-generation Beartooth Gateways. We utilize Commercially-available Of the Shelf Components (COTS) in the radios to provide a cost-effective, power-efficient, and compact solution for establishing real-time situational awareness. The self-healing mesh network provided with MKII and Gateways also enhances the reliability of the overall network, ensuring connectivity even in case of node failures. By incorporating military information brokers, such as the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK), the Beartooth Gateway establishes a hybrid network between Beartooth radios, gateways, and other TAK-capable devices, ensuring compatibility with existing IP networks. Building upon the premise that voice communications are an integral part of real-time SA, the last part of my research focuses on assessing audio quality and efficacy of audio codecs within bandwidth-constrained networks. Delving into voice communications in resource-constrained networks, my research contrasts the performance of Text-to-Speech (TTS) models with traditional audio codecs. I demonstrate that TTS models outperform audio codec compressed voice samples in quality while also effectively managing scarce resources and available capacity more efficiently. By combining flexible link layer protocol elements in BRP, Beartooth MKII radios, Gateways, and insights on integrating TTS systems for voice communication, my research demonstrates a versatile and flexible solution that provides real-time application streams and critical situational awareness capabilities in bandwidth-constrained networks and mission-critical applications.