• Next-Generation Networking Group (CCNY)

My research interests primarily concerns the development of new network designs, network modeling and optimization, implementing simulation tools, conducting performance analysis to evaluate new architectures, and routing algorithms and wavelength assignment approaches for efficient resource allocation in optical transport networks taking into account the dynamic changes of the traffic load. Through my research work I gained considerable experience in a number of areas such as: Heuristic Algorithms, Analytical Modeling, Integer-Linear Programming (ILP), Graph Theory, Queuing Theory and Discrete-Event numerical methods.

• Real-Time Provisioning in Optical Networks

• Routing and Wavelength Assignment (RWA).

• Traffic Grooming in IP/WDM Networks.

• Integrated Routing and Unified Control Plane in IP/WDM Networks

• Provisioning signaling for both sub- and full- wavelength connections in multi-fiber WDM networks.

• Selective Protection and Restoration on a per-call basis in Optical Networks.

• Multicast Traffic Grooming in WDM Networks

• Survivable Multicasting in Optical Networks

• Network Testbed Development.

• Access Networks: Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPON)

• Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks

• Performance Evaluation, Traffic Engineering, Traffic Modeling.

• Network Control and Management.

• Intelligent Systems: Intelligent Networks, Sensor Networks.

• Efficient Bandwidth Allocation Techniques in Survivable WDM-PON Architectures

• Efficient Localized Energy Routing in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

• Dynamic Provisioning of Survivable Heterogeneous Traffic in WDM Networks

ACCOMPLISHED RESEARCH WORK

• Real-Time Provisioning

• Integrating Internet Protocol (IP) and WDM architectures (IP-over-WDM interconnection model)

• Dynamic Multicast Traffic Grooming in WDM-based Networks

• Analyzing connection blocking probabilities in Optical Networks

• Decentralized Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPON)

• Signaling Framework to provision sub-wavelength Connections

• Selective Protection and Restoration

FUTURE RESEARCH WORK

For my future research work, I am initially planning to use different approaches (such as meta-heuristic approaches, i.e., Genetic Algorithm, Tabu Search, etc.) to obtain a near optimal solution for the traffic grooming problem for multicast and unicast traffic in WDM-based networks. These approaches will provide a solution that is very close to the optimal solution, while keeping the running times comparable to the ones obtained by the heuristic approaches. This direction of research will be a compromise between the optimal and practical solutions for large network topologies.

I am also planning to identify new problems in telecommunication networks and study them in depth in order to find efficient solutions. One of the future problems I am interested in is the security problem in all-optical networks. The usage of such networks is rapidly growing in fields such as e-commerce, banking, as well as in military applications, which makes the issue of secure networks extremely timely and critical. This problem is especially important in WDM-based networks, where the high data bit rates mean that even a short attacks will cause the compromise (and possibly loss) of a large amount of data.

Another attractive area for future work is the wireless ad-hoc sensor networks which has recently emerged as a premier research topic. Sensor networks pose a number of new conceptual and optimization problems. Some, such as coverage, location, deployment, and tracking, are fundamental issues, in that many applications rely on them for needed information.

Finally, I find it important to balance my work between scientific research and the development of tools for practical applications. In general, network design and optimization is based on a mathematical and algorithmic framework as well as an understanding of the user's needs. My goal is to actively perform basic scientific research and at the same time work on the development of practical telecommunications technology (through industry collaborations, etc).

1. A. Khalil et al. “Dynamic Provisioning of Survivable Heterogeneous Multicast and Unicast Traffic in WDM Networks”, in the Proc. of The IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) in Istanbul, Turkey, June 2006.
2. A. Khalil et al. “Dynamic Provisioning of Low-Speed Unicast/Multicast Traffic Demands in Mesh-Based WDM Optical Networks”, The IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology (JLT), Vol. 24, Issue 2, pp. 681, February, 2006.
3. A. Khalil et al. “Pre-Planned Multicast Protection Approaches in WDM Mesh Networks”, Proc. of the 31st European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC), Glasgow, Scotland 25-29 Sept. 2005
4. M. A. Ali, A. Hadjiantonis, A. Khalil, G. Ellinas and K. Bergman, “Transportation & Switching of Native Ethernet Frames across MPLS/GMPLS Managed and Controlled Optical Data Networks”, invited paper, The 17th Annual Meeting of IEEE Laser & Electro-Optics Society (IEEE/ LEOS), Puerto Rico, November 2004
5. A. Khalil et al. “Dynamic Provisioning of Low-Speed Unicast/Multicast Traffic Demands in Mesh-Based WDM Optical Networks”, submitted to Journal of Lightwave Technology (JLT)
6. A. Khalil et al. “Sequential and Hybrid Grooming Approaches for Multicast Traffic in WDM Networks”, Proc. of IEEE Globecom, Dallas, USA, Nov. – Dec. 2004.
7. A. Khalil et al. “A Hybrid Provisioning Approach For Multicast Traffic Grooming in WDM Mesh Networks”, Proc. of the 30th European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC), Stockholm, Sweden, Sept. 2004.
8. C. Assi, A. Khalil, N. Ghani, A. Shami, and M. A. Ali, “Efficient Shared Path Protection in Mesh WDM Networks” The Journal of Networks, Software Tools, and Applications, Cluster computing, 2004.
9. A. Khalil et al. “On Dynamic Multicast Traffic Grooming in WDM Networks”, the 9th IEEE Symposium on Computers and Communications (ISCC), Alexandria, Egypt, June-July 2004.
10. A. Hadjiantonis, A. Khalil, G. Ellinas, and M. A. Ali, “A Hybrid Approach For Provisioning Sub-Wavelength Requests in IP-over-WDM Networks”, The IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE), Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, May 2004.
11. A. Khalil et al. “Multicast Traffic Grooming In WDM Networks”, The IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE), Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, May 2004.
12. A. Hadjiantonis, A. Khalil. “A Novel Decentralized Ethernet-Based PON Architecture”, The IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), Paris, France, June 2004
13. A. Hadjiantonis, A. Khalil, G. Ellinas, and M. A. Ali, “Interchanging the Search Space Between the Logical and Physical Layers in Future IP Optical Networks”, Proc. of The International Conference on Communication, Network, and Information Security (CNIS), Uniondale, New York, December 10-12, 2003.
14. A. Khalil et al. “A Novel IP-Over-Optical Network Interconnection Model for the Next-Generation Optical Internet”, Proc. of IEEE Globecom, San Francisco, USA, Dec. 2003.
15. A. Hadjiantonis, A. Khalil, G. Ellinas, and M.A. Ali, “A Novel Optical Layer-Based Restoration Approach for IP-Over-WDM Networks”, invited paper, LEOS 16th Annual Meeting, Tucson, AZ, USA, Oct. 2003.
16. A. Khalil, et al. “Optical Layer-Based Unified Control Plane For Emerging IP/MPLS Over WDM Networking Architecture”, Proc. of the 29^th European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC), Rimini, Italy, Sept. 2003.
17. C. Assi, A. Khalil, N. Ghani, and M. A. Ali, “Provisioning Algorithms in Survivable Optical Networks with Shared Protection”, Proc. The 8^th IEEE International Symposium in Computer and Communication (ISCC), Kemer - Antalya, Turkey, June- July 2003.
18. A. Khalil, et al. “Analytical Modeling of Blocking Probabilities in WDM-Based Optical Networks with Fixed Alternate Routing and Trunk Reservation”, Proc. The International Conference on Communications and Computer Networks (CCN), Cambridge, MA, USA, Nov. 2002.
19. J. Lew and A. Khalil, “Anti-Swing Control of a Suspended Load with a Robotic Crane”, American Control Conference, Chicago, IL, 2000

• Ahmad Khalil, “Particle Sizing and System Characteristic Using the Mie Theory”, Internal Report, CCNY, June 2001.

• Ahmad Khalil, Ahmad Badran, “Vehicle Mobile Robot”, BE Thesis, Mechanical Engineering, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon, July 1997

• Ahmad Khalil, “Virtual Reality Applications in Mechanical Design, Analysis and Assembly”, MS Thesis, Mechanical Engineering, Ohio University, OH-USA, August 2000.