[image:108,left,10,10,0]MICS investigates issues around networking, peer to peer organisation and distributed systems. The in Lausanne based MICS Center brings together about 30 faculty members and 70 PhD students to study most aspects of self-organizing, distributed communication and information services, including mobile communication and peer-to-peer information services. The Center's investigations range from fundamental mathematical issues (statistical physics-based analysis, information and communication theory) to networking, signal processing, security, distributed systems, software architecture and economics. MICS believes that its 'integrated, cross layer view' is the right way to address the issues and have a substantial impact in the field.

In August 2002 , MICS offered an Internship Programme for female undergradute students. These summer internships, which took place in laboratories at EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich and the University of Bern, gave valuable experience to female undergraduates wanting to gain experience working in a research environment.

[image:107,left,10,10,0]MICS research spans across eleven key areas: Mathematics of Self-Organised Communications, IP2 - Information Theoretic Issues (looking the fundamental trade-offs in self-organizing networks), Physical Layer and Software Radio Testbed (hosting members of three communities: antennas, software radio and communication theory), Self-Organizing Networking Mechanisms (studying broader issues related to networking), Self-Organized Distributed Applications in a Mobile Environment, Security and Cryptographic Issues, Distributed Signal Processing and Communications, System and Software Architecture, Communicating Embedded Systems (investigating algorithms and system design for large populations of small size nodes), 'Terminodes', Wireless E-business Models and Scenario Planning (assessing wireless technology and its commercial usage) and Wireless Sensor Networks (reducing the overall energy dissipation in wireless networks.)

This year, MICS has outputted a number of results from its activities, including:

* A study of the impact of interference on connectivity, with 'random walks' as part of the methodology.

* Improved tools for antenna design and new algorithms for software radio have been implemented.

* Novel networking mechanisms, especialy in the area of node cooperation techniques.

* The development of a decentralized and self-organizing data access structure.

MICS also runs an industrial liason programme, designed to bring about closer cooperation with industry, including a faster transfer of research results, providing input on problems which currently interest industry, and increased access to publications, students and faculty members.