Current Research Interests

Large-scale dynamic complex system modeling and optimization, green computing and battery power management, dynamically reconfigurable embedded system design optimization, quality-driven cross-layer optimized multimedia over wireless, cognitive network management and service-oriented architecture, and cyber-enabled e-healthcare.

Current Research Funding

• NSF IHCS: ARMS: A Novel Adaptive ConfiguRable Multi-cell Battery System for Power-Aware Electronics, PI.
• NSF CCF TF: SING: Exploring the Fundamental Limits of Cross-Layer Optimization in the Next-Generation Internet, PI.
• Layman Foundation: Cognitive Resources Allocation in Wireless Multimedia Networks, PI.
• NSF CRI: IAD: Collaborative Research: Towards Cyber-Physical Computing at Scale: A Life-Size Experimental Facility for Applied Sensor Networks Research, Co-PI.
• NRI: Bioengineering a Medical Device for the Evaluation of Sitting Posture in Infants with Motor Disabilities, Co-PI (PI at UNL, collaborated with UNMC and UNO).
• NRI: The Use of Virtual Simulations and Robotic Manipulators for the Improvement of Robotic Surgical Educational Training, Co-PI (PI at UNL, collaborated with UNMC and UNO).
• WEAI: Optimization of irrigation efficiency of center-pivot systems using spatial and temporal data integration, Co-PI.
• NRI: Establishment of Innovative Self Powered Smart Wireless Identification and Tracking Research Core, Co-PI.
• NRI: Nebraska Bioengineering Innovation: A Novel Wireless Mobility Monitoring System, Co-PI (collaborated with UNMC and UNO).
• Nebraska Research Initiative: Establishing a Multi-Campus RF Channel Emulation Infrastructure for Advanced Wireless Communications Networks Research, Co-PI.
• Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research: Development, Implementation and Deployment of Smart Building Energy Systems Monitoring, Controls and Diagnostics Using Wireless Sensor Network for Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Co-PI.
• UNL Strategic Research Cluster Grant: Great Plains Environmental and Hydrological Observatory, Co-PI.
• UNL College of Engineering: 2007 Research Infrastructure Enhancement Award, Co-PI.
• Westside School District Equipment Grant: Building a Westside Wireless Community Network, PI.

Awards and Honors

• 2009 Faculty Research and Creative Activity Award at College of Engineering of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
• Sole Awardee of the 2005 Alvin D. Loving Junior Faculty Award at the University of Michigan-Flint
• Golden Apple Teaching Award (nominated by students) at the University of Michigan-Flint
• IEEE Senior Member
• Best Paper Award, IEEE International Conference on Networking, Sensing and Control, March 21-24, 2004. One selected from more than 320 accepted papers.

Invited Talks, Panels, Tutorials

• Spotlight talk at NSF Workshop on the Science of Power Management, 2009.
• NSF Panels for CNS, ENG and CBET, 2007-2009.
• Tutorial on “Quality-Driven Cross-Layer Optimized Multimedia Communications” at IEEE Globecom 2008.
• Quality-Driven Cross-Layer Optimized Wireless Multimedia Communications, Northwestern University, 2008.
• QoS in Wireless Sensor Networks, Western Michigan University, 2004.

Filed Patents

• Method and Apparatus of Dynamic Reconfigurable Battery, pending, UNL.
• Method and Apparatus of Optimum Frame Size Predictor for Wireless Local Area Network under 3COM Corporation IDF3742.

Co-Authored Book

4G Wireless Video Communications, John Wiley & Sons, April, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-470-77307-9.

Papers in Refereed Journals (2002 ~ present)

Note: The authors associated with (*) are graduated students supervised or co-supervised by me. All the publications listed below are sorted in the chronological order. Only publications from 2002 are listed.

1. Luo, H.(*), Ci, S., Wu, D.(*), Argyriou, A., Joint Source Coding and Network-Supported Distributed Error Control for Video Streaming in Wireless Multi-Hop Networks, IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, accepted, 2009.
2. Wu, D.(*), Ci, S., Luo, H.(*), Wang, H., Katsaggelos, A., A Quality-Driven Decision Engine for Service-Oriented Live Video Transmission, IEEE Wireless Communications Magazine, accepted, 2009.
3. Luo, H.(*), Ci, S., Wu, D.(*), Cross-layer Optimized End-to-End TCP Friendly Rate Control for Real-Time Video Streaming, Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation, accepted, 2009.
4. Han, Z., Su, G., Wang, H., Ci, S., Su, W., Auction Based Resource Allocation for Cooperative Video Transmission Protocols over Wireless Networks, EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing, accepted, 2009.

5. Ci, S., Wang, H., Wu, D.(*), A Theoretical Framework for Quality-Aware Cross-Layer Optimized Wireless Multimedia Communications, Advances in Multimedia, 2009.

6. Wu, D.(*), Ci, S., Wang, H., Cross-layer optimization for video summary transmission over wireless networks, IEEE Journal of Selected Areas of Communications (JSAC), 2007.

7. Du, X., Mohsen, G., Xiao, Y., Ci, S., Chen, H.H., A Routing-Driven Elliptic Curve Cryptography based Key Management Scheme for Heterogeneous Sensor Networks, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, accepted.

8. Ci, S., Guizani, M., Sharif, H., Adaptive Clustering in Wireless Sensor Networks by Mining Sensor Energy Data, Elsevier Computer Communications (COMCOM), 2007.

9. Ci, S., Mining and Visualizing Wireless Sensor Network Data, International Journal of Sensor Networks (IJSN), 2007.

10. Zhou, T.(*), Ci, S., Sharif, H., Mobility Patterns Impacts on Mobile IP Handoff in Wireless LANs, Journal of Computational Methods in Sciences and Engineering (JCMSE), 2007.

11. Ci, S., Guizani, M., and Sharif, H., Optimizing Network Utilization in Mobile Wireless Ad-hoc Networks, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology (ITVT), 2006.

12. Zhang, X., Tang, J., Chen, H.H., Ci, S., Guizani, M., Cross-Layer Based Modeling for Quality of Service Guarantees in Mobile Wireless Networks, IEEE Communications Magazine (COMMAG), 2006.

13. Ci, S., Guizani, M., and Brahim, G. B.(*), and, A Dynamic Resource Allocation Scheme for Delay-Constrained Multimedia Services in IS-2000 Forward Link, IEEE Journal of Selected Areas of Communications (JSAC), 2006.

14. Liu, J.(*), Yuan, D., Ci, S. and Zhong, Y.(*), Nonlinear Optimization for Energy Efficiency in IEEE 802.11a Wireless LANs, Elsevier Computer Communications (COMCOM), 2006.

15. Ci, S., Sharif, H., Nuli, K.(*), Study of an Adaptive Frame Size Predictor to Enhance Energy Conservation in Wireless Sensor Networks, IEEE Journal of Selected Areas of Communications (JSAC), Vol. 23, No.2, February 2005.

16. Liu, J.(*), Yuan, D., Ci, S. and Zhong, Y.(*), A New QoS Routing Optimal Algorithm in Mobile Ad hoc Networks Based on Hopfield Neural Network, Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS), 2005.

17. Ci, S., Sharif, H., Optimizing Frame Size for Improving Goodput in Wireless LANs, Wiley Journal of Wireless Communication and Mobile Computing (WCMC), 4:1-14, 2004, John Wiley & Sons.

18. Ci, S., Sharif, H., and Noubir, G., Improving Goodput of the IEEE 802.11 MAC Protocol by Using Congestion Control Methods, International Journal on Wireless and Optical Communications (IJWOC), Vol. 1, No.2(2004) 1-9, World Scientific Publishing.

Referred Chapters in Monographs (2002 ~ present)

1. Lu, X., Fan, G., Ci, S., Mobility Management in Heterogeneous Networks, The Handbook of Computer Networks, John Wiley & Sons, to appear.

2. Ci, S., Sharif, H., Nuli, K.(*), Providing Energy Efficiency for Wireless Sensor Networks through Link Adaptation Techniques, IEEE Press, 2006.

3. Peng, D., Sharif, H., Ci, S., United Retiming Operations on Multidimensional Multirate DSP Systems, 2004, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004.

4. Ci, S., Sharif, H., Modeling and Prediction of Wireless Channel Quality, Advanced Signal Processing for Communication Systems, ISBN 1-4020-7202-3, Hardbound, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2002.

Papers in Refereed Conferences (2002 ~ present)

1. Wu, D.(*), Ci, S., Luo, H.(*), Wang, H., Katsaggelos, A., Application-Centric Routing for Video Streaming over Multi-hop Wireless Networks, accepted, IEEE SECON 2009 (Acceptance Ratio: 81/431=18.8%).

2. Luo, H.(*), Ci, S., Wu, D.(*), A Cross-Layer Optimized Distributed Scheduling Algorithm for Peer-to-Peer Video Streaming over Wireless Multi-hop Mesh Networks, accepted, IEEE SECON 2009 (Acceptance Ratio: 81/431=18.8%).

3. Wu, D.(*), Han, Z., Ci, S., Su, G., Wang, H., Cooperative Video Summary Transmission in Wireless Networks, IEEE Sarnoff Symposium 2009.

4. Ci, S., Zhang, J.(*), Alahmad M., Sharif, H., Lifetime Optimization for Wireless Sensor Networks Using the Nonlinear Battery Current Effect, IEEE ICC 2009.

5. Luo, H.(*), Wu, D.(*), Ci, S., TFRC-based Rate Control for Real-Time Video Streaming over Wireless Multi-hop Mesh Networks, IEEE ICC 2009.

6. Luo, H.(*), Wu, D.(*), Ci, S., Argyriou, A., Wang, H., Quality-Driven TCP Friendly Rate Control for Real-Time Video Streaming, IEEE Globecom 2008.

7. Wu, D.(*), Luo, H.(*), Ci, S., Wang, H., Katsagglos, A., Quality-Driven Optimization for Content-Aware Real-Time Video Streaming in Wireless Mesh Networks, IEEE Globecom 2008.

8. Wu. D.(*), Ci, S., Wang, H., Cross-Layer Optimization for Packetized Video Communication over Wireless Mesh Networks, ICC 2008.

9. Ci, S., Wang, H., Wu, D.(*), From Heuristic to Theoretical: a New Design Methodology for Cross-Layer Optimized Wireless Multimedia Streaming, The 16th International Packet Video Workshop, IEEE PV 2007.

10. Ci, S., Sonnenberg, J., A Cognitive Cross-Layer Architecture for Next-Generation Tactical Networks, IEEE MILCOM 2007.

11. S. Ci and H. Guo. Significance Measure with Nonlinear and Incommensurable Measurements. IEEE GLOBECOM, 2007.

12. S. Ci, J. Zhang(*), M. Alahmad, and H. Sharif. A Novel Design of Adaptive Reconfigurable Multicell Battery for Power-Aware Embedded Networked Sensing Systems. IEEE GLOBECOM, 2007.

13. Ci, S., Guo, H., Quantitative Dynamic Interdependency Measure and Significance Analysis for Cross-Layer Design under Uncertainty, IEEE ICCCN 2007.

14. Du, X., Ci, S., Yang, X., Guizani M., Chen, H.H., A Routing-Driven Key Management Scheme for Heterogeneous Sensor Networks, IEEE ICC 2007.

15. Puttingpong, M.(*), Hempel, M.(*), Sharif, H., Zhou, T.(*), Ci, S., Chen, H.H., BER Analysis of 802.11b Networks under Mobility, IEEE ICC 2007.

16. Wu, D.(*), Ci, S., Yang, Y., Sharif, H., Packet Size Optimization for Goodput Enhancement of Multi-Rate Wireless Networks, IEEE WCNC 2007.

17. Wu, D.(*), Ci, S., Wang, H., Cross-Layer Design for Multimedia Delivery over Wireless Networks, IEEE International Symposium on Multimedia (ISM 2006), Special Track on Adaptive Video Streaming over Networks, Invited Paper.

18. Cai, C.(*), Ci, S., Guizani, S., Fuqaha, A., Constructing an Efficient Mobility Profile of Ad-Hoc Node for Mobility-Pattern-Based Anomaly Detection in MANET, IEEE GlobeCom, 2006.

19. Sheng, W., Tewolde, G., Ci, S., Micro Mobile Robots in Active Sensor Networks: Closing the Loop, IEEE IROS 2006.

20. Wu, D.(*), Ci, S., Cross-Layer Design for Combining Adaptive Modulation and Coding with Type-II Hybrid ARQ, IEEE BroadNets, 2006.

21. Wu, D.(*), Ci, S., Cross-Layer Combination of Hybrid ARQ and Adaptive Modulation and Coding for QoS Provisioning in Wireless Data Networks, IEEE/ACM QShine 2006.

22. Wu, D.(*), Ci, S., Cross-Layer Design for Combining Adaptive Modulation and Coding with Type-I Hybrid ARQ, IEEE IWCMC, 2006.

23. Ci, S., Guizani, M., A Packet Fair Queueing Algorithm for CDMA2000 1xEV-DV Networks, IEEE ICC 2006.

24. Ci, S., Guizani, M., Energy Map: Mining Wireless Sensor Network Data, IEEE ICC 2006. 

25. Prasad Raviraj(*), Hamid Sharif, Michael Hempel (*) and Song Ci, An Energy Efficient MAC Approach for Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks, IEEE/ACS AICCSA-06, 2006.

26. Ci, S., Guizani, M., and Brahim, G. B.(*), A New AMC Scheme for QoS Provisioning in CDMA2000 1xEV-DV Networks, IEEE GlobeCom 2005.

27. Zhou T.(*), Sharif, H., Hampel, M.(*)., Ci, S., Performance of IEEE 802.11b Under Mobile Railroad Environments, IEEE VTC 2005 Fall.

28. Ci, S., Sharif, H. and Mahasukhon, P.(*), Evaluating Saturation Throughput Performance of the IEEE 802.11 MAC under Fading Channels, IEEE BroadNets 2005.

29. Ci, S., Guizani, M., Sharif, H., Self-Regulating Network Utilization in Mobile Ad-Hoc Wireless LANs, IEEE QShine 2005.

30. Raviraj, P.(*), Sharif, H., Hampel, M.(*)., Ci, S., A Mobility Based Link Layer Approach for Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks, IEEE EIT 2005.

31. Liu, J.(*), Yuan, D., Ci, S. and Zhong, Y.(*), A New QoS Routing Optimal Algorithm in Mobile Ad hoc Networks Based on Hopfield Neural Network, The 2nd IEEE International Symposium on Neural Networks (ISNN 2005).

32. Ci, S., Guizani, M., A Dynamic Resource Scheduling Scheme for CDMA2000 Systems, The 3rd ACS/IEEE International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications (AICCSA 2005), Invited Paper.

33. Bourouha, M.(*), Ci, S., Brahim, G. B.(*), and Guizani, M., A Cross-Layer Design for QoS Support in The 3GPP2 Wireless Systems, IEEE GlobeCom 2004 -Wireless Communications, Networks, and Systems, 2004.

34. Ci, S., Sharif, H., Nuli, K.(*), Performance Comparison of Kalman Filter Based Approaches for Energy Efficiency in Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks, The 3rd ACS/IEEE International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications (AICCSA 2005), to appear.

35. Ci, S., Sharif, H., Nuli, K.(*), Study of an Adaptive Frame Size Predictor to Enhance Energy Conservation in Wireless Sensor Networks, The 15th IEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC 2004).

36. Ci, S., Sharif, H., Peng D., A New Scheme for Energy Efficiency in Wireless Sensor Networks, 2004 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC 2004).

37. Nuli, K.(*), Sharif, H., Ci, S., Cheng, L., An Adaptive Medium Access Control for Energy Efficiency in Wireless Sensor Networks, 2004 IEEE International Conference on Networking, Sensing, and Control (ICNSC 2004), winning the Best Paper Award.

38. Sheng, W., Yang, Q., Ci, S., Xi, N., Multi-robot Area Exploration with Limited-range Communications, The 2004 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2004).

39. Nuli, K.(*), Raviraj, P(*), Sharif, H., Ci, S., Enhancing Energy Efficiency of Wireless Sensor Nodes, International Conference on Wireless Networks (ICWN 2004).

40. Zhang, H., Yuan, D., Ci, S. and Gao, X., Performance Research of Adaptive OFDM Systems on Multi-path Time-variant Channels, 2004 IEEE International Conference on Communications, Circuits and Systems (ICCCAS 2004).

41. Peng, D., Sharif, H., Ci, S., United Retiming Operations on Multidimensional Multirate DSP Systems, The 7th IEEE International Symposium on Digital Signal Processing for Communication Systems (DSPCS 2003).

42. Ci, S., Turner, S.W., Sharif, H., A Novel Scheme for Improving Good Throughput Performance in Wireless Local Area Networks, The 58th IEEE Semiannual Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC2003- Fall), Invited Paper.

43. Ci, S., Turner, S.W., and Sharif, H., An Energy-Efficient TCP Quick Timeout Scheme for Wireless LANs, The 22nd International Performance, Computing, and Communications Conference (IPCCC 2003).

44. Ci, S., Sharif, H., A New Simulator for the Theoretical Performance Study of the IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN, The 27th IEEE Conference on Local Area Network (LCN 2002).

45. Ci, S., Sharif, H., A Variable Data Rate Scheme to Enhance Throughput Enhancement of Wireless LAN, 2002 IEEE International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP 2002).

46. Ci, S.,Sharif, H., Adaptive Optimal Frame Length Predictor for IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN , The 6th IEEE International Symposium on Digital Signal Processing for Communication Systems (DSPCS 2002).