Highlights:

  • To foster innovation in next-generation computing and networking, NSF and several other technology leaders and the US Department of Defense fund the RINGS program.
  • The goal is to enhance next-generation wireless network resilience via adaptability, autonomy, and security.

RINGS program to foster innovation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) publicized its contribution toward a new Resilient & Intelligent NextG Systems (RINGS) program to foster innovation in next-generation wireless networking. The program is supervised under a public-private partnership.

NSF is partnering with,

In this program, NSF is partnering with several high-profile corporations and government agencies such as the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and more (Apple, Google, Microsoft, VMware, Nokia, Intel, IBM, Ericsson).

RINGS program aims to boost research

The RINGS program aims to boost research in areas that will significantly impact developing Next Generation (NextG) wireless and mobile communication, computing systems, global-scale services, sensing, and networking. It is also concentrating on enhancing the resiliency of such networked systems, among other performance metrics.

The resiliency of such systems that subsumes autonomy, security, and adaptability will be a significant driving factor for future NextG network systems.

The RINGS program focuses on inventions to augment resiliency and performance across the many facets of NextG communications, networking, and computing systems.

NSF is mainly concentrating on the importance of resilience in next-generation systems for them to “survive, gracefully adapt to and rapidly recover from malicious attacks, component failures and natural and human-induced disruptions.”

Anticipated funding amount for program

The anticipated funding amount for program is USD 37,500,000 (37.5 million) to USD 40,000,000 (40 million). This include contribution from each of the partners. The private-sector partners are also taking part by offering their technical insight and expertise to the program. The contribution from the government and private partners will help boost the resulting technologies in the coming years.

The anticipated number of awards planned by RINGS are approximately 36 to 38, each up to USD 1,000,000 (1 million) in funding across up to three years.

What NSF says

The NSF wrote: “[Next-generation] systems are future versions of today’s cellular, Wi-Fi and satellite networks that are expected to connect billions of people and revolutionize the relationship between users’ devices and cloud services.”

It also added, “The new systems will enable enhanced data streaming, communications, analytics and automation. These future networks and systems will provide key support to societal priorities such as education, transportation, public health and safety, defense and associated critical infrastructure.”

Expert’s take

Sethuraman Panchanathan, the fifteenth Director of the National Science Foundation, commented: “Since I joined NSF, I have championed public-private partnerships as a critical foundation for advancing the frontiers of science and driving home solutions to some of our foremost societal challenges.”

He further added, “I am delighted we are launching this multi-sector collaboration to drive the innovations that will shape future communication networks so vital to everyday life.”