In recent years, utility-oriented resource allocation for wired and wireless networks has been extensively studied. A key goal of utility based analysis is to provide evaluation criteria for efficient network operation based on subjective user assessments such as usefulness and value of data. Yet the vast majority of the prior work has focused on topics like mathematical functions (concave or otherwise) of network metrics such as bandwidth, delay, packet loss, etc., or information entropy, or user-perceived quality (e.g., MOS) for interpreting utility. In this work1, we propose an alternative mission-oriented definition and metric for utility that is based on the accuracy and speed at which tasks are completed, which we believe is closer to the intent of utility-based analysis. Like previous work, our definition supports the design and engineering of networks by mapping utility metrics to the typical network design metrics (bandwidth, delay, loss, etc). Unlike previous work, it also permits simple solutions to important questions such as the joint utility or usefulness of different data streams, the impact on the utility of one data stream by another, and cross-sensory utility (e.g., the impact of a side audio channel on an image processing task, or a side video channel on an audio processing task). We present a novel experimental approach to the design of such experiments, and provide measurement results. The results quantify the effects of information encoding and the impairments incurred during transmission through imperfect networks on the information's usefulness to end-users in terms of being able to complete tasks correctly and on time.

The CECOM MOSAIC ATD encompasses an integrated set of diverse technologies to demonstrate rapidly deployable, secure, robust, assured-QoS communications among mobile ad hoc nodes. The assured IP QoS technology solution integrates DiffServ based QoS resource management with centralized admission control over a dynamic tactical network environment. We describe an outdoor demonstration of our QoS technology prototype over an on-the-move MANET running OLSR. This demonstration does not include IP mobility support, however provides an alternate route between the ad hoc nodes through the use of two distinct wireless networks. The demonstration exhibits route changes between single and multiple IP hops as the nodes drive, and shows handoff between wireless networks as they move out of range of one radio network to the other. We summarize our observations and empirical performance results for real-time traffic

High performance monitoring and control of real-time environments over the Internet is of importance to many users. The general public, as well as professionals, desires the ability to remotely acquire real-time information at their fingertips. This paper presents a smart network design for real-time data acquisition. A streamlined web server designed specifically for embedded applications produces the real-time output for a dynamic environment. This technological enhancement is significant because it can be used in conjunction with any "smart" device. A unique characteristic of the design presented here is its ability to easily adapt to a variety of systems/applications. In order to achieve this type of information processing, the design approach used here was required to demonstrate the following abilities: (1) operate on a small platform without the use of an OS, (2) exchange and modify real-time data over the network, and (3) demonstrate the possibility that this type of system can be used for security purposes.