IEEE P1906.1

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.^[1] 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.^[2]

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.^[3]

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.

Notes

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