Master-Seminar Connected and Mobile Systems

Satellite networks are attempting to offer faster data transmission and reduced latency compared to traditional wired infrastructure on Earth. Radio frequency (RF) or Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication technologies are used in these systems based on the communication environment. Since both technologies have their own challenges, sometimes, the utilization of a hybrid RF/FSO system promises better connectivity. 

Your task is to firstly provide an overview of RF based and FSO based communication systems. Then discuss in detail at least three hybrid RF/FSO approaches which improve one or the other communication characteristics like reliability, latency, etc. Finally compare the approaches with each other and draw your conclusions on the merits and demerits of each approach.

• Hybrid FSO/RF networks: A review of practical constraints, applications and challenges
• A Weather-Dependent Hybrid RF/FSO Satellite Communication for Improved Power Efficiency

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum promise pseudononimized transfer of assets. They are, consequently, of interest to criminal entities for money laundering, trade of illicit goods and services, and fraud. Consequently, criminals are working on new ways for covering up their traces, while law enforcement and intelligence agencies need the ability to trace transactions.

Your task is to first analyse the degree of privacy offered by Bitcoin and Ethereum, including techniques to increase this privacy. Next, you will summarize and compare different techniques for increasing the transparency of cryptocurrency transactions.

• Towards Measuring the Traceability of Cryptocurrencies
• Enhancing Meme Token Market Transparency: A Multi-Dimensional Entity-Linked Address Analysis for Liquidity Risk Evaluation
• Bitcoin Battle: Burning Bitcoin for Geopolitical Fun and Profit

Burleight et la. have published the seventh version of the Bundle Protocol in 2022 as RFC9171. The Bundle Protocol implements a delay-tolerant networking architecture to provide communication in highly stressed environments. One of the main features is the ability to handle cases where the sender and receiver are not present in the same network at the same time.

• Your task is to present the Protocol described in RFC 9171 and highlight possible use cases as well as background infromation on the presented definitions. A focus shall therby be put on the security extension to the bundle protocol RFC 9172. The starting point for your literature research is:
• RFC 9171 RFC 9172