Synchronizing in the nanoscale: A research project to enable communication networks in molecular communication channels (SmartSynch)

Institutions

  • TU Berlin

Team @ TKN

Funding

  • DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)

Project Time

  • 07/2025 - 06/2028

Description

Current research in molecular communication (MC) projects advancing precision medicine for early diagnosis and treatment. Conceptually, injected nanodevices in human vessels are envisioned to sense and actuate potential diseases before symptoms appear. However, individual nanodevices have limited resources and must form clusters to function effectively. These clusters enable coordinated actions, such as targeted drug delivery, which are time-sensitive and require fresh information for timely operation. Effective clustering relies on communication capabilities within nanonetworks for coordinating tasks. However, such coordination requires implementing a synchronization mechanism to decode information bits properly. Synchronization is crucial for aligning receiver nanodevice clocks with transmitter clocks to decode information accurately. Enabling a communication link among nanodevices in human vessels, this proposal focuses on developing synchronization mechanisms. Synchronization within human vessels is challenging due to the random positions of nanodevices in the bloodstream. Despite its importance, this issue remains unresolved; the literature identifies three main synchronization approaches: pulse-based synchronization protocols, preamble-based symbol synchronization, and bio-inspired clock synchronization mechanisms. However, these methods need to be adapted to the dynamic and bounded environment of human vessels. This proposal aims to develop robust synchronization mechanisms for nanodevices in the dynamic blood flow environment. Our objectives include devising a realistic model for the transmission-reception scheme in human vessels, optimizing reported synchronization mechanisms in the literature for this particular environment, and designing a methodology to evaluate the preamble sequence and the data packet length. The methodology involves integrating existing models of nanodevice mobility, synchronization mechanisms, and transmission-reception schemes. The focus is on developing a MC link among nanodevices in the human vessels. Expected outcomes include reliable synchronization methods, an evaluation of synchronization's impact on communication performance, and a methodology to optimally compute synchronization parameters. This project addresses the critical challenge of synchronizing nanodevices in human vessels, a key component for advancing precision medicine. By developing robust synchronization mechanisms, this research aims to enable effective nanonetwork formation, enhancing nanodevice capabilities for early diagnosis and treatment.

Selected Publications

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Last modified: 2025-07-06