Routing in FRET-based Nanonetworks

TL;DR

This paper explores routing strategies in FRET-based nanonetworks, introducing five biologically inspired mechanisms, experimentally validating one, and discussing key technical challenges for nanocommunication networks.

Contribution

It proposes five novel routing mechanisms for FRET-based nanonetworks based on biological properties and validates one experimentally, advancing nanocommunication routing techniques.

Findings

Five new routing mechanisms introduced

Experimental validation of one mechanism conducted

Analysis of open technical challenges provided

Abstract

Nanocommunications, understood as communications between nanoscale devices, is commonly regarded as a technology essential for cooperation of large groups of nanomachines and thus crucial for development of the whole area of nanotechnology. While solutions for point-to-point nanocommunications have been already proposed, larger networks cannot function properly without routing. In this article we focus on the nanocommunications via Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), which was found to be a technique with a very high signal propagation speed, and discuss how to route signals through nanonetworks. We introduce five new routing mechanisms, based on biological properties of specific molecules. We experimentally validate one of these mechanisms. Finally, we analyze open issues showing the technical challenges for signal transmission and routing in FRET-based nanocommunications.