Author: Alamin Mohammed

ICC 2023: ‘rePurpose’ – Enhancing Network Tests and User Experience

We’re thrilled to announce that our innovative paper titled “rePurpose: A Case for Versatile Network Measurement” has been published at ICC 2023. The study introduces ‘rePurpose’, a system designed to transform the way network speed tests are conducted.

Recognizing the high data consumption and lack of practical use of data in traditional network throughput tests, ‘rePurpose’ innovatively uses useful content, such as ads, to conduct periodic speed tests. This approach not only significantly reduces data cost (up to 90% in our evaluation) but also improves user Quality of Experience (QoE) by reducing or eliminating startup delay for videos and ads by up to five seconds.

The system works seamlessly within the existing ad ecosystem to pre-stage ads, effectively balancing network measurement efficiency and user QoE. We look forward to seeing the positive changes ‘rePurpose’ can bring to the field. More detailed findings are shared in our paper. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

ICCCN 2023: Revealing the Impact of Active Network Probing on User Quality of Experience

We are excited to announce that our recent paper, “On The Harmful Effects of Active Network Probing” has been accepted for the ICCCN 2023 conference. This research offers a thorough exploration of how standard speed tests, a prevalent method of measuring network speed, affect user Quality of Experience (QoE) during typical activities like video streaming and file downloading.

Our findings reveal that such speed tests can significantly prolong download times, increasing them by up to 88% in WiFi networks and 46% in cellular networks. Furthermore, they have notable adverse effects on video QoE metrics, especially bitrate, leading to an average reduction between 46% and 60%. We also investigated outcomes of single and double speed test scenarios, discovering that both variants impede QoE, with double tests causing more considerable disruptions.

Our research emphasizes the need for new strategies to mitigate the negative effects of active network probing on user QoE. It provides comprehensive insights into the implications of active network probing for user applications, contributing a significant step towards enhancing overall user experience on digital platforms.

Stay tuned for more updates as we present our findings at the conference.

My Experience as a PhD Research Intern at Google in New York City

This summer (2022), I had the incredible opportunity to work as a PhD research intern at Google’s New York City office. The experience was truly rewarding both personally and professionally, as I was able to dive deep into cutting-edge research and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the field.

My project focused on mapping network level metrics such as latency and loss to application performance. It was thrilling to work with large-scale network data sets and apply different statistical tools to extract valuable insights. As a research intern, I had the opportunity to put my knowledge and skills to the test, tackling complex problems with creativity and precision.

One of the most exciting aspects of my internship was the chance to meet and learn from research superstars like Neal Cardwell, Jeff Mogul, and Morley Mao. I was able to communicate and collaborate with them, receiving invaluable feedback and insights into the world of research.

I gained new perspectives, sharpened my skills, and made connections with some of the most brilliant minds in the industry. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing to unlock the doors to innovation.

A Week of Hands-On Learning and Networking at the POWDER-RENEW Mobile and Wireless Week

I had the privilege of attending the first POWDER-RENEW Mobile and Wireless Week at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in September 2019. The week-long event provided a unique opportunity to learn about the latest research on wireless and mobile networks and to explore the POWDER platform, a powerful tool for conducting wireless experiments.

The Mobile and Wireless Week was an immersive experience that included lectures, talks, and hands-on exploration. We were introduced to the features of the POWDER platform and given the chance to set up and conduct exciting wireless experiments.

Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation, travel, lodging, and meals for up to 25 students from US institutions were covered. It was truly an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the leading experts in the field and to connect with other students and researchers who are passionate about wireless and mobile networks.

The event was well-organized, and the University of Utah provided a beautiful and inspiring setting for the week. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the Mobile and Wireless Week and to learn more about the exciting developments in the field. I hope that many more students will have the chance to participate in this event in the future and benefit from the knowledge and expertise shared during the week.

Reflections on the First OpenAirInterface North America Workshop

I had the opportunity to attend the First OpenAirInterface North America Workshop at Nokia Bell Labs premises in Murray Hill, NJ, in June 2019. It was an exciting event that brought together the OpenAirInterface (OAI) community and provided an opportunity to explore collaboration avenues, share research, and learn about the latest developments in the field.

The workshop started with a full day of training on the OpenAirInterface Software, Testing Tools, and Continuous Integration environments. We had the chance to learn about the brand new data center facility and outdoor 5G radio deployment hosted at EURECOM, a founding member of the OAI. We also learned about integration with the NSF PAWR Platforms as development and test environments.

Over the course of the three-day event, there were presentations and demos from the OAI community and users from around the world. It was a great opportunity to engage with the OAI community and meet the team behind it. As a participant, I was impressed by the level of expertise and passion that the OAI community had for their work.

The event was very well-organized, and I appreciated the opportunity to submit proposals for oral presentations or demos featuring my work or planned work with the OAI. The event also provided an excellent opportunity to network with other researchers and professionals in the field.