IEEE 1906.1-2015

This recommended practice contains a conceptual model and a standard terminology for ad hoc network communication at the nanoscale. More specifically, this recommended practice contains: a) the definition of nanoscale communication networking; b) the conceptual model for ad hoc nanoscale communication networking; c) the common terminology for nanoscale communication networking, including: 1) the definition of a nanoscale communication channel highlighting the fundamental differences from a macroscale channel; 2) abstract nanoscale communication channel interfaces with nanoscale systems; 3) performance metrics common to ad hoc nanoscale communication networks; 4) the mapping between nanoscale and traditional communication networks, including necessary high-level components such as a map of major components: coding and packets, addressing, routing, localization, layering, and reliability;

A common framework greatly aids in communicating ideas among researchers from diverse fields and developing useful simulators for nanoscale communication. This includes interconnecting systems of multiple types of nanoscale simulators. A common abstract model enables theoretical progress to proceed from different disciplines with a common language. This framework serves as a recommended practice for additional nanoscale communication networking standards as industry becomes more involved in commercial integration of the technology. Nanoscale communication standards are needed by the biomedical industry to create break-through diagnostic and treatment methods. Technical discussions and establishment of standards in nanoscale communications are impaired by lack of a common conceptual model and common nomenclature. This standard will enable research and development in this area by focusing industry and academia on a common conceptual model, common language, and nomenclature for nanoscale communications. IEEE Std 1906.1 will allow a family of standards to be developed that will lead to creation of the nanoscale communications mechanisms for various applications. The stakeholders are broad, including the telecommunications industry, computer industry, biological and medical devices industry, and material science-related industries as some of the most obvious beneficiaries.

New IEEE Standard - Active. A definition, terminology, conceptual model, and standard metrics for ad hoc network communication at the nanoscale are provided. Human-engineered networking is extended by the physical properties of nanoscale communication in ways beyond that defined in existing communication standards. These include in vivo, sub-cellular medical communication, smart materials and sensing at the molecular level, and the ability to operate in environments that would be too harsh for macroscale communication mechanisms to operate. Collaboration among a highly diverse set of disciplines with differing definitions and connotations for some terms is required by nanoscale communication, thus a common terminology is necessary in order to aid inter-discipline collaboration. A common framework for thinking abstractly about nanoscale communication can aid in defining and relating research and development effort. Components of the framework are independent enough to allow them to be developed in relative isolation, yet the components are also interoperable. To illustrate the recommended practice, example mappings between specific nanoscale communication use-cases and the common framework are included. Simulation code implementing the common framework for both wireless and molecular nanoscale communication is an embodiment of the common framework demonstrating precisely how the framework is applied.