Project Description

Towards Rich Multimedia Experience in Emerging Cognitive Radio Networks

This project investigates the problem of enabling rich multimedia services in emerging CR networks. Although highly rewarding, the new dimension of dynamics on channel availability, sensing, and access brings about a whole level of technical challenges. To address these challenges, a novel cross-layer optimization and control approach is employed, complemented with distributed algorithm design and development of an open source CR video testbed. The manifold design trade-offs, multifarious dynamics, scarce resources and, on the other hand, video's tight QoS constraints make the optimization and control approach highly suited for "squeezing" the most out of CR video networks. The three research thrusts include: cross-layer optimization of CR video networks, classical and modern control theory based analysis and design of CR video networks, and experimental research with a CR video testbed and field experiments.

August 15, 2010 ~ July 31, 2016

Project Team

  • Shiwen Mao

  • Donglin Hu (graduated May 2012)

  • Yingsong Huang (graduate Mar. 2013)

  • Yi Xu (graduated May 2015)

Related Publications (book)

  • S. Mao, Video Streaming over Cognitive Radio Networks: When Quality of Service Meets Spectrum. New York, NY: Springer Science+Business Media, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-4614-4956-0.

Related Publications (journal & magazine)

  • Z. Wang, S. Mao, L. Yang, and P. Tang, “A survey of multimedia big data,” IEEE/CIC China Communications, vol.15, no.1, pp.155-176, Jan. 2018. DOI: 10.1109/CC.2018.8290814.

  • Z. Jiang and S. Mao, “Interoperator opportunistic spectrum sharing in LTE-unlicensed,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol.66, no.6, pp.5217-5228, June 2017. DOI: 10.1109/TVT.2016.2613444.

  • M. Chen, J. Yang, Y. Hao, S. Mao, and K. Hwang, “A 5G cognitive system for healthcare,” MDPI Big Data and Cognitive Computing Journal, vol.1, no.1, pp.2-16, Mar. 2017. DOI: 10.3390/bdcc1010002.

  • M. Chen, Y. Qian, S. Mao, W. Tang, and X. Yang, “Software-defined mobile networks security,” ACM/Springer Mobile Networks and Applications (MONET) Journal, vol.21, no.5, pp.729-743, Oct. 2016. DOI: 10.1007/s11036-015-0665-5.

  • Z. He, S. Mao, and S. Kompella, “Quality of Experience driven multi-user video streaming in cellular cognitive radio networks with single channel access,” IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, vol.18, no.7, pp.1401-1413, July 2016. DOI: 10.1109/TMM.2016.2564104.

  • M. Feng, S. Mao, and T. Jiang, “Enhancing the performance of future wireless networks with Software Defined Networking,” Springer Frontiers of Information Technology and Electronic Engineering Journal, Special Issue on Future Network: Software-Defined Networking, vol.17, no.7, pp.606-619, July 2016. DOI: 10.1631/FITEE.1500336.

  • N. Tang, S. Mao, and S. Kompella, “Power control in full duplex underlay cognitive radio networks,” Elsevier Ad Hoc Networks Journal, vol.37, no.2, pp.183-194, Feb. 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.adhoc.2015.08.018.

  • Y. Xu, S. Mao, and X. Su, “Interference alignment improves the capacity of OFDMA systems,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol.65, no.2, pp.756-767, Feb. 2016. DOI: 10.1109/TVT.2015.2402191.

  • Z. He, S. Mao, and S. Kompella, “A decomposition approach to quality of service driven multi-user video streaming in cellular cognitive radio networks,” IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol.15, no.1, pp.728-739, Jan. 2016. DOI: 10.1109/TWC.2015.2477509.

  • Z. He, S. Mao, and T. Jiang, “A survey of QoE driven video streaming over cognitive radio networks,” IEEE Network, Special Issue on Quality-of-Experience (QoE)-Aware Design in Next-Generation Wireless Networks, vol.29, no.6, pp.20-25, Nov./Dec. 2015. DOI: 10.1109/MNET.2015.7340420.

  • J. Hao, B. Zhang, Z. Jiao, and S. Mao, “Adaptive compressive sensing based sample scheduling mechanism for wireless sensor networks,” Elsevier Pervasive and Mobile Computing Journal, Special Issue on Recent Developments in Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks, vol.22, no.1, pp.113-125, Sept. 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmcj.2015.02.002.

  • M. Feng, S. Mao, and T. Jiang, “Joint duplex mode selection, channel allocation, and power control for full-duplex cognitive femtocell networks,” Elsevier Digital Communications and Networks Journal, vol.1, no.1, pp.30-44, Feb. 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.dcan.2015.01.002.

  • Y. Xu, D. Hu, and S. Mao, “Relay-assisted multi-user video streaming in cognitive radio networks,” IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, vol.24, no.10, pp.1758-1770, Oct. 2014. DOI: 10.1007/s11036-013-0489-0.

  • Y. Xu and S. Mao, “Stackelberg game for cognitive radio networks with MIMO and distributed interference alignment,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol.63, no.2, pp.879-892, Feb. 2014. DOI: 10.1109/TVT.2013.2279761.

  • Y. Huang and S. Mao, “Downlink power control for multi-user VBR video streaming in cellular networks,” IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, vol.15, no.8, pp.2137-2148, Dec. 2013. DOI: 10.1109/TMM.2013.2270457.

  • D. Hu and S. Mao, “On cooperative relay in cognitive radio networks,” EAI Endorsed Transactions on Mobile Communications and Applications, vol.13, no.3, pp.e3, Dec. 2013. DOI: 10.4108/mca.1.3.e3 (10 pages)

  • D. Hu, S. Mao, N. Billor, and P. Agrawal, “On the trade-off between energy efficiency and estimation error in compressive sensing,” Elsevier Ad Hoc Networks Journal, vol.11, no.6, pp.1848-1857, Aug. 2013. DOI: 10.1016/j.adhoc.2013.04.008.

  • D. Hu and S. Mao, “On co-channel and adjacent channel interference mitigation in cognitive radio networks,” Elsevier Ad Hoc Networks Journal, vol.11, no.5, pp.1629-1640, July 2013. DOI: 10.1016/j.adhoc.2013.02.009.

  • Y. Xu and S. Mao, “A survey of mobile cloud computing for rich media applications,” IEEE Wireless Communications, Special Issue on Mobile Cloud Computing, vol.20, no.3, pp.46-53, June 2013. DOI: 10.1109/MWC.2013.6549282.

  • Y. Huang, S. Mao, and Y. Li, “On downlink power allocation for multiuser variable-bit-rate video streaming,” Wiley Security and Communication Networks, Special Issue on Security in Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks with Advanced QoS Provisioning, vol.6, no.4, pp.485-497, Apr. 2013. DOI: 10.1002/sec.642.

  • Y. Huang, S. Mao, and Y. Li, “A majorization approach to downlink multiuser VBR video streaming,” Elsevier Computer Communications, Special Issue on Smart and Interactive Ubiquitous Multimedia Services, vol.35, no.15, pp.1828-1837, Sept. 2012. DOI: 10.1016/j.comcom.2012.01.020.

  • D. Hu and S. Mao, “A sensing error aware MAC protocol for cognitive radio networks,” EAI Endorsed Transactions on Mobile Communications and Applications, vol.12, no.7/9, pp.e1, Aug. 2012. DOI: 10.4108/mca.2012.07-09.e1 (12 pages).

  • D. Hu and S. Mao, “On Medium Grain Scalable video streaming over femtocell cognitive radio networks,” IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Special Issue on Femtocell Networks, vol.30, no.3, pp.641-651, Apr. 2012. DOI: 10.1109/JSAC.2012.120413.

  • D. Hu and S. Mao, “Streaming scalable videos over multi-hop cognitive radio networks,” IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol.9, no.11, pp.3501-3511, Nov. 2010. DOI: 10.1109/TWC.2010.092810.100098.

  • S. Mao and D. Hu, “Video over cognitive radio networks: When compression meets the radios,” invited paper, E-Letter of the Multimedia Communications Technical Committee (MMTC), IEEE Communications Society, Special Issue on Advances in Network-Adaptive Multimedia Communications, vol.5, no.6, pp.14-16, Nov. 2010.

  • Y. Zhao, S. Mao, J.H. Reed, and Y. Huang, “Utility function selection for streaming videos with a cognitive engine testbed,” ACM/Springer Mobile Networks and Applications Journal (MONET), vol.15, no.3, pp.446-460, June 2010. DOI: s 10.1007/s11036-009-0200-7.

  • D. Hu, S. Mao, Y.T. Hou, and J.H. Reed, “Scalable video multicast in cognitive radio networks,” IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Special Issue on Wireless Video Transmission, vol.29, no.3, pp.334--344, Apr. 2010. DOI: 10.1109/JSAC.2010.100414.

  • Y. Huang, S. Mao, and S.F. Midkiff, “A control-theoretic approach to rate control for streaming videos,” IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, Special Issue on Quality-Driven Cross-Layer Design for Multimedia Communications, vol.11, no.6, pp.1072-1081, Oct. 2009. DOI: 10.1109/TMM.2009.2026085.

  • Y. Zhao, S. Mao, J. Neel, and J.H. Reed, “Performance evaluation of cognitive radios: metrics, utility functions, and methodologies,” Proceedings of the IEEE, Special Issue on Cognitive Radio, vol.97, no.4, pp.642-659, Apr. 2009. DOI: 10.1109/JPROC.2009.2013017.

Related Publications (conference)

  • Z. Jiang and S. Mao, “Harmonious coexistence and efficient spectrum sharing for LTE-U and Wi-Fi,” in Proc. IEEE MASS 2017, Orlando, FL, Oct. 2017, pp.275-283.

  • M. Chen, Y. Hao, S. Mao, D. Wu, and Y. Zhou, “User intent-oriented video QoE with emotion detection networking,” in Proc. IEEE GLOBECOM 2016, Washington DC, Dec. 2016, pp.1-6.

  • K. Xiao, S. Mao, and J. Tugnait, “QoE-driven resource allocation for DASH over OFDMA networks,” in Proc. IEEE GLOBECOM 2016, Washington, DC, Dec. 2016, pp.1-6.

  • W.G. Blass, A. Hennigar, and S. Mao, “Implementation of a software-defined radio based Global Positioning System repeater,” in Proc. 2015 ASEE Southeastern Section Annual Conference, Gainesville, FL, Apr. 2015. (10 pages)

  • Z. He, S. Mao, and S. Kompella, “QoE driven video streaming in cognitive radio networks: Case of single channel access,” in Proc. IEEE GLOBECOM 2014, Austin, TX, Dec. 2014, pp.1388-1393.

  • Z. He and S. Mao, “QoS driven multi-user video streaming in cellular CRNs: The case of multiple channel access,” in Proc. IEEE MASS 2014, Philadelphia, PA, Oct. 2014, pp.28-36.

  • N. Tang, S. Mao, and S. Kompella, “Power control in full duplex underlay cognitive radio networks: A control theoretic approach,” in Proc. IEEE MILCOM 2014, Baltimore, MA, Oct. 2014, pp.949-954.

  • S. Mao, Y. Huang, and Y. Li, “On developing a software defined radio laboratory course for undergraduate wireless engineering curriculum,” in Proc. The 2014 ASEE Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN, June 2014. (15 pages)

  • Z. He and S. Mao, “Multiple Description Coding for uncompressed video streaming over 60GHz networks,” in Proc. First ACM Workshop on Cognitive Radio Architectures for Broadband (CRAB 2013), in conjunction with ACM MobiCom 2013, pp.61-68, Miami, FL, October 2013.

  • Y. Xu and S. Mao, “Distributed interference alignment in cognitive radio networks,” in Proc. IEEE ICCCN 2013, pp.1-7, Nassau, Bahamas, July/August 2013.

  • S. Mao, Y. Huang, Y. Li, P. Agrawal, and J. Tugnait, “Introducing software defined radio into undergraduate wireless engineering curriculum through a hands-on approach,” in Proc. The 2013 ASEE Annual Conference, pp.1--10, Atlanta, GA, June 2013.

  • D. Hu, S. Mao, and N. Billor, “On balancing energy efficiency and estimation error in compressed sensing,” in Proc. IEEE GLOBECOM 2012, pp.4278-4283, Anaheim, CA, December 2012.

  • Y. Xu and S. Mao, “On interference alignment in multi-user OFDM systems,” in Proc. IEEE GLOBECOM 2012, pp.5339-5344, Anaheim, CA, December 2012.

  • D. Hu and S. Mao, “Cooperative relay with interference alignment for video over cognitive radio networks,” in Proc. IEEE INFOCOM 2012, pp.2014-2022, Orlando, FL, March 2012.

  • D. Hu and S. Mao, “Co-channel and adjacent channel interference mitigation in cognitive radio networks,” in Proc. IEEE MILCOM 2011, pp.13-18, Baltimore, MD, November 2011.

  • Y. Huang, S. Mao, and Y. Li, “Downlink power control for VBR video streaming in cellular networks: A majorization approach,” in Proc. IEEE GLOBECOM 2011, pp.1-6, Houston, TX, December 2011.

  • D. Hu and S. Mao, “Resource allocation for medium grain scalable videos over femtocell cognitive radio networks,” in Proc. The 31st IEEE International Conference on Distributed Computing Systems (ICDCS 2011), pp.258-267, Minneapolis, MN, June 2011.

  • Y. Huang and S. Mao, “Downlink power control for variable bit rate video over multicell wireless networks,” in Proc. IEEE INFOCOM 2011, pp.2561-2569, Shanghai, China, April 2011.

  • D. Hu and S. Mao, “Cooperative relay in cognitive radio networks: decode-and-forward or amplify-and-forward?” in Proc. IEEE GLOBECOM 2010, pp.1-5, Miami, FL, December 2010.

  • Y. Huang, S. Mao, and Y. Li, “Downlink power allocation for stored variable-bit-rate videos,” invited paper, presented at the 7th International Conference on Heterogeneous Networking for Quality, Reliability, Security and Robustness (QShine’10), Houston, TX, November 2010, in Springer Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering (LNICST), vol. 74, X. Zhang and D. Qiao (Eds.), pp. 423–438, 2011.

  • D. Hu and S. Mao, “Design and analysis of a sensing error-aware MAC protocol for cognitive radio networks,” in Proc. IEEE GLOBECOM 2009, pp.5514-5519, Honolulu, HI, November/December 2009.

  • Y. Huang and S. Mao, “Analysis and design of a proportional-integral rate controller for streaming videos,” in Proc. IEEE GLOBECOM 2009, pp.5530-5535, Honolulu, HI, November/December 2009.

  • D. Hu, S. Mao, and J.H. Reed, “On video multicast in cognitive radio networks,” in Proc. IEEE INFOCOM 2009, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, pp.2222-2230, April 2009.

  • Y. Zhao, S. Mao, J.H. Reed, and Y. Huang, “Experimental study of utility function selection for video over cognitive radio networks,” in Proc. TRIDENTCOM 2009, Washington D.C., pp.1-10, April 2009.

We acknowledge the generous support from our sponsor

This work is supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant CNS-0953513. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the foundation.


 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering | Auburn University | Auburn, Alabama 36849-5201 | (334) 844-1845 | smao@auburn.edu
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