Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks

20 pages, 3859 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceSystematic Review

Testbed Facilities for IoT and Wireless Sensor Networks: A Systematic Review

by Janis Judvaitis, Valters Abolins, Amr Elkenawy, Rihards Balass, Leo Selavo and Kaspars Ozols

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030048 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2436

As the popularity and complexity of WSN devices and IoT systems are increasing, the testing facilities should keep up. Yet, there is no comprehensive overview of the landscape of the testbed facilities conducted in a systematic manner. In this article, we provide a [...] Read more.

As the popularity and complexity of WSN devices and IoT systems are increasing, the testing facilities should keep up. Yet, there is no comprehensive overview of the landscape of the testbed facilities conducted in a systematic manner. In this article, we provide a systematic review of the availability and usage of testbed facilities published in scientific literature between 2011 and 2021, including 359 articles about testbeds and identifying 32 testbed facilities. The results of the review revealed what testbed facilities are available and identified several challenges and limitations in the use of the testbed facilities, including a lack of supportive materials and limited focus on debugging capabilities. The main contribution of this article is the description of how different metrics impact the uasge of testbed facilities, the review also highlights the importance of continued research and development in this field to ensure that testbed facilities continue to meet the changing needs of the ever-evolving IoT and WSN domains. Full article

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17 pages, 4314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristic-Mode-Analysis-Based Compact Vase-Shaped Two-Element UWB MIMO Antenna Using a Unique DGS for Wireless Communication

by Subhash Bodaguru Kempanna, Rajashekhar C. Biradar, Praveen Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Sameena Pathan and Tanweer Ali

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030047 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1862

Abstract

The modern electronic device antenna poses challenges regarding broader bandwidth and isolation due to its multiple features and seamless user experience. A compact vase-shaped two-port ultrawideband (UWB) antenna is presented in this work. A circular monopole antenna is modified by embedding the multiple [...] Read more.

The modern electronic device antenna poses challenges regarding broader bandwidth and isolation due to its multiple features and seamless user experience. A compact vase-shaped two-port ultrawideband (UWB) antenna is presented in this work. A circular monopole antenna is modified by embedding the multiple curved segments onto the radiator and rectangular slotted ground plane to develop impedance matching in the broader bandwidth from 4 to 12.1 GHz. The UWB monopole antenna is recreated horizontally with a separation of less than a quarter wavelength of 0.13 λ (λ computed at 4 GHz) to create a UWB multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) antenna with a geometry of 20 × 29 × 1.6 mm³. The isolation in the UWB MIMO antenna is enhanced by inserting an inverted pendulum-shaped parasitic element on the ground plane. This modified ground plane acts as a decoupling structure and provides isolation below 21 dB across the 5–13.5 GHz operating frequency. The proposed UWB MIMO antenna’s significant modes and their contribution to antenna radiation are analyzed by characteristic mode analysis. Further, the proposed antenna is investigated for MIMO diversity features, and its values are found to be ECC < 0.002, DG ≈ 10 dB, TARC < −10 dB, CCL < 0.3 bps/Hz, and MEG < −3 dB. The proposed antenna’s time domain characteristics in different antenna orientations show a group delay of less than 1 ns and a fidelity factor larger than 0.9. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Electronic Communications, IOT and Big Data)

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19 pages, 550 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploiting Smart Meter Water Consumption Measurements for Human Activity Event Recognition

by Sebastian Wilhelm, Jakob Kasbauer, Dietmar Jakob, Benedikt Elser and Diane Ahrens

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030046 - 6 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2785

Abstract

Human activity event recognition (HAER) within a residence is a topic of significant interest in the field of ambient assisted living (AAL). Commonly, various sensors are installed within a residence to enable the monitoring of people. This work presents a new approach for [...] Read more.

Human activity event recognition (HAER) within a residence is a topic of significant interest in the field of ambient assisted living (AAL). Commonly, various sensors are installed within a residence to enable the monitoring of people. This work presents a new approach for HAER within a residence by (re-)using measurements from commercial smart water meters. Our approach is based on the assumption that changes in water flow within a residence, specifically the transition from no flow to flow above a certain threshold, indicate human activity. Using a separate, labeled evaluation data set from three households that was collected under controlled/laboratory-like conditions, we assess the performance of our HAER method. Our results showed that the approach has a high precision (0.86) and recall (1.00). Within this work, we further recorded a new open data set of water consumption data in 17 German households with a median sample rate of

0.08 \bar{3}

Hz to demonstrate that water flow data are sufficient to detect activity events within a regular daily routine. Overall, this article demonstrates that smart water meter data can be effectively used for HAER within a residence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Cities and Homes: Current Status and Future Possibilities)

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Figure 1
Software architecture for acquiring and transmitting cumulative water flow measurements from private households. Full article ">Figure 2
Examples of faulty timestamps and out-of-order samples in the raw measurements. (Household: WM-A-08). Full article ">Figure 3
Time intervals between two consecutive samples in an example period of two days. (Household: WM-A-08). Full article ">Figure 4
Approach for removing out-of-order samples that violate the monotonic constraint. Full article ">Figure 5
A sample extract of the series of measured values after pre-processing <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>V</mi> <mo>(</mo> <mi>t</mi> <mo>)</mo> </mrow> </semantics></math> over one day (blue), as well as the derived volume flow rates series <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>q</mi> <mo>(</mo> <mi>t</mi> <mo>)</mo> </mrow> </semantics></math> (red). (Household: WM-A-08; Day: 2022-02-14). Full article ">Figure 6
From the series of measured values, <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>V</mi> <mo>(</mo> <mi>t</mi> <mo>)</mo> </mrow> </semantics></math>-derived times of human activity events (orange lines) in the analogous time slot to <a href="#jsan-12-00046-f005" class="html-fig">Figure 5</a>. Full article ">Figure 7
Precision–recall curve by sweeping over the value <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>t</mi> <mi>h</mi> <mi>r</mi> <mi>e</mi> <mi>s</mi> </mrow> </semantics></math> in the interval from 0 to 5 (step: 1.0) with <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>t</mi> <mi>o</mi> <mi>l</mi> </mrow> </semantics></math> = 30 s. Full article ">

20 pages, 10988 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coordinated PSO-ANFIS-Based 2 MPPT Control of Microgrid with Solar Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage System

by Siddaraj SIddaraj, Udaykumar R. Yaragatti and Nagendrappa Harischandrappa

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030045 - 27 May 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2582

Abstract

The microgrid is a group of smaller renewable energy sources (REs), which act in a coordinated manner to provide the required amount of active power and additional services when required. This article proposes coordinated power management for a microgrid with the integration of [...] Read more.

The microgrid is a group of smaller renewable energy sources (REs), which act in a coordinated manner to provide the required amount of active power and additional services when required. This article proposes coordinated power management for a microgrid with the integration of solar PV plants with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to enhance power generation and conversion using a hybrid MPPT method based on particle swarm optimization-adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (PSO-ANFIS) to acquire rapid and maximum PV power along with battery energy storage control to maintain the stable voltage and frequency (V-f) of an isolated microgrid. In addition, it is proposed to provide active and reactive power (P-Q) regulation for the grid connected. The approach used provides more regulation due to the least root mean square error (RMSE), which improves photovoltaic (PV) potential extraction. The comparison results of the PSO-ANFIS and P&O controllers of the MPPT and the controller of the energy storage devices combined with the V-f (or P-Q) controller of the inverter all show effective coordination between the control systems. This is the most important need for contemporary microgrids, considering the potential of changing irradiance in the grid following mode, the grid forming mode under an island scenario, and back-to-grid synchronization. With the test model, the islanded and grid-islanded-grid connected modes are investigated separately. The results demonstrate conclusively that the proposed strategies are effective. To run the simulations, MATLAB and SimPowerSystems are utilized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Cities and Homes: Current Status and Future Possibilities)

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20 pages, 10861 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Machine-Learning-Based Ground-Level Mobile Network Coverage Prediction Using UAV Measurements

by Naser Tarhuni, Ibtihal Al Saadi, Hafiz M. Asif, Mostefa Mesbah, Omer Eldirdiry and Abdulnasir Hossen

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030044 - 26 May 2023

Viewed by 2661

Abstract

Future mobile network operators and telecommunications authorities aim to provide reliable network coverage. Signal strength, normally assessed using standard drive tests over targeted areas, is an important factor strongly linked to user satisfaction. Drive tests are, however, time-consuming, expensive, and can be dangerous [...] Read more.

Future mobile network operators and telecommunications authorities aim to provide reliable network coverage. Signal strength, normally assessed using standard drive tests over targeted areas, is an important factor strongly linked to user satisfaction. Drive tests are, however, time-consuming, expensive, and can be dangerous in hard-to-reach areas. An alternative safe method involves using drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The objective of this study was to use a drone to measure signal strength at discrete points a few meters above the ground and an artificial neural network (ANN) for processing the measured data and predicting signal strength at ground level. The drone was equipped with low-cost data logging equipment. The ANN was also used to classify specific ground locations in terms of signal coverage into poor, fair, good, and excellent. The data used in training and testing the ANN were collected by a measurement unit attached to a drone in different areas of Sultan Qaboos University campus in Muscat, Oman. A total of 12 locations with different topologies were scanned. The proposed method achieved an accuracy of 97% in predicting the ground level coverage based on measurements taken at higher altitudes. In addition, the performance of the ANN in predicting signal strength at ground level was evaluated using several test scenarios, achieving less than 3% mean square error (MSE). Additionally, data taken at different angles with respect to the vertical were also tested, and the prediction MSE was found to be less than approximately 3% for an angle of 68 degrees. Additionally, outdoor measurements were used to predict indoor coverage with an MSE of less than approximately 6%. Furthermore, in an attempt to find a globally accurate ANN module for the targeted area, all zones’ measurements were cross-tested on ANN modules trained for different zones. It was evaluated that, within the tested scenarios, an MSE of less than approximately 10% can be achieved with an ANN module trained on data from only one zone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Big Data, Computing and Artificial Intelligence)

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15 pages, 690 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Optical Transport Networks in 6G and Beyond: A Vision and Call to Action

by Dimitrios Michael Manias, Abbas Javadtalab, Joe Naoum-Sawaya and Abdallah Shami

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030043 - 22 May 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4292

Abstract

As next-generation networks begin to take shape, the necessity of Optical Transport Networks (OTNs) in helping achieve the performance requirements of future networks is evident. Future networks are characterized as being data-centric and are expected to have ubiquitous artificial intelligence integration and deployment. [...] Read more.

As next-generation networks begin to take shape, the necessity of Optical Transport Networks (OTNs) in helping achieve the performance requirements of future networks is evident. Future networks are characterized as being data-centric and are expected to have ubiquitous artificial intelligence integration and deployment. To this end, the efficient and timely transportation of fresh data from producer to consumer is critical. The work presented in this paper outlines the role of OTNs in future networking generations. Furthermore, key emerging OTN technologies are discussed. Additionally, the role intelligence will play in the Management and Orchestration (MANO) of next-generation OTNs is discussed. Moreover, a set of challenges and opportunities for innovation to guide the development of future OTNs is considered. Finally, a use case illustrating the impact of network dynamicity and demand uncertainty on OTN MANO decisions is presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing towards 6G Networks)

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Current State-of-the-Art Network Architecture highlighting UE types; the OpenRAN architecture; the identification of the front-, mid-, and backhaul networks; the core and data networks; as well as a depiction of the connectivity between all network elements and regions. Full article ">Figure 2
Robust vs. Deterministic Capacity Allocation under Demand Uncertainty and Parameter Deviation. When using robust allocation methods, some spare capacity is provisioned to ensure the solution’s feasibility under parameter deviation. The increase in demand (yellow) during uncertainty is handled by the robust allocation but exceeds the capacity in the deterministic allocation. Full article ">Figure 3
A high-level comparison of the ML system performance with and without a drift detection and mitigation framework. Without a framework in place, a noticeable performance degradation is observed. Conversely, when a framework is in place, corrective actions are taken to recover and restore system performance to pre-drift levels. Full article ">Figure 4
A comparison between a centralized intelligence scheme and distributed intelligence scheme (federated learning). In the centralized scheme, all entities send their data to a centralized agent that is responsible for processing and insight generation. Conversely, in the distributed scheme, all entities have an intelligence agent that exchanges model parameters and insights with the aggregation agent without the transfer of entity data. Full article ">Figure 5
A comparison of the objective value between the deterministic (red) and robust (blue, purple) optimization model across various levels of solution conservativeness. Full article ">Figure 6
A comparison between the solution of the deterministic and robust optimization models under varying levels of demand uncertainty and parameter deviation. The robust method was able to cope with the demand uncertainty and protect the solution, exhibiting no overcapacity events. Conversely, the deterministic solution was unable to cope with the demand uncertainty and exhibited an increasing percentage of overcapacity. Full article ">

16 pages, 4411 KiB

Open AccessArticle

ICT Implications for a Pilot Water Treatment Plant Using Simulation Modeling

by Waqas Ahmed Khan Afridi and Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030042 - 19 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2052

Abstract

The current work is an illustration of an empirical investigation conducted on a pharmaceutical water treatment plant that subsequently proposes potential ICT implications for optimizing the plant’s conventional operating procedures and improving production efficiency. Typically, the pilot plant incorporates a standard infrastructure for [...] Read more.

The current work is an illustration of an empirical investigation conducted on a pharmaceutical water treatment plant that subsequently proposes potential ICT implications for optimizing the plant’s conventional operating procedures and improving production efficiency. Typically, the pilot plant incorporates a standard infrastructure for maintaining quality and production goals. In the study, a schematic of the reverse osmosis section of the pilot treatment plant was developed. A mathematical modeling and process simulation approach was adopted to carry out the linear process investigation and validation of key performance parameters. The study’s findings reveal that the performance and lifecycle of the RO treatment unit are primarily determined via the structured pre-treatment filtering procedures, including critical parameters such as volumetric flowrate, solute concentrations, and differential pressure across the membrane. These operational parameters were also found to be instrumental in increasing plant production and improving equipment efficiency. Based on our results, the study proposes cost-effective ICT implications for plant managers through which pilot organization can substantially save on their annual water and energy consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Network Services and Applications)

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45 pages, 12714 KiB

Open AccessReview

From Sensors to Safety: Internet of Emergency Services (IoES) for Emergency Response and Disaster Management

by Robertas Damaševičius, Nebojsa Bacanin and Sanjay Misra

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030041 - 16 May 2023

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 29935

Abstract

The advancement in technology has led to the integration of internet-connected devices and systems into emergency management and response, known as the Internet of Emergency Services (IoES). This integration has the potential to revolutionize the way in which emergency services are provided, by [...] Read more.

The advancement in technology has led to the integration of internet-connected devices and systems into emergency management and response, known as the Internet of Emergency Services (IoES). This integration has the potential to revolutionize the way in which emergency services are provided, by allowing for real-time data collection and analysis, and improving coordination among various agencies involved in emergency response. This paper aims to explore the use of IoES in emergency response and disaster management, with an emphasis on the role of sensors and IoT devices in providing real-time information to emergency responders. We will also examine the challenges and opportunities associated with the implementation of IoES, and discuss the potential impact of this technology on public safety and crisis management. The integration of IoES into emergency management holds great promise for improving the speed and efficiency of emergency response, as well as enhancing the overall safety and well-being of citizens in emergency situations. However, it is important to understand the possible limitations and potential risks associated with this technology, in order to ensure its effective and responsible use. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Internet of Emergency Services and its implications for emergency response and disaster management. Full article

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3 pages, 162 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence as Enablers of Cyber Security in the Era of IoT and IIoT Applications

by Mohamed Amine Ferrag, Leandros Maglaras and Mohamed Benbouzid

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030040 - 11 May 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2880

Abstract

The fifth revolution of the industrial era—or Industry 5 [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence for Cyber Security in the Era of IoT and IIoT Applications)

15 pages, 2825 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Availability of Services in Wireless Sensor Network with Aerial Base Station Placement

by Igor Kabashkin

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030039 - 8 May 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2042

Abstract

Internet of Things technologies use many sensors combined with wireless networks for cyber-physical systems in various applications. Mobility is an essential characteristic for many objects that use sensors. In mobile sensor networks, the availability of communication channels is crucial, especially for mission-critical applications. [...] Read more.

Internet of Things technologies use many sensors combined with wireless networks for cyber-physical systems in various applications. Mobility is an essential characteristic for many objects that use sensors. In mobile sensor networks, the availability of communication channels is crucial, especially for mission-critical applications. This article presents models for analyzing the availability of sensor services in a wireless network with aerial base station placement (ABSP), considering the real conditions for using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The studied system uses a UAV-assisted mobile edge computing architecture, including ABSP and a ground station for restoring the energy capacity of the UAVs, to maintain the availability of interaction with the sensors. The architecture includes a fleet of additional replacement UAVs to ensure continuous communication coverage for the sensor network during the charging period of the air-based station UAVs. Analytical expressions were obtained to determine the availability of sensor services in the system studied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Wireless Sensor Networks: The State of the Art and Future Trends)

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Architecture of cluster-based wireless sensor network. Full article ">Figure 2
Architecture of the multi-tier network with aerial base station placement. Full article ">Figure 3
The multi-tier studied architecture of sensor wireless network using ABSP. Full article ">Figure 4
End-to-end channel of sensor interaction with CPA. Full article ">Figure 5
Transition graph of the Markov model of the ABSP architecture with a limited number of recovery places at the ground recovery center. Full article ">Figure 6
Transition graph of the Markov model of the ABSP architecture with an unlimited number of recovery places at the ground recovery center. Full article ">Figure 7
Function of unavailability of the selected sensor service at the UAV level. Full article ">Figure 8
ABSP architecture with multi-tier UAV swarms. Full article ">

21 pages, 5839 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Armed Bandit Algorithm Policy for LoRa Network Performance Enhancement

by Anjali R. Askhedkar and Bharat S. Chaudhari

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030038 - 4 May 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2342

Abstract

Low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) constitute a variety of modern-day Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Long range (LoRa) is a promising LPWAN technology with its long-range and low-power benefits. Performance enhancement of LoRa networks is one of the crucial challenges to meet application requirements, [...] Read more.

Low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) constitute a variety of modern-day Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Long range (LoRa) is a promising LPWAN technology with its long-range and low-power benefits. Performance enhancement of LoRa networks is one of the crucial challenges to meet application requirements, and it primarily depends on the optimal selection of transmission parameters. Reinforcement learning-based multi-armed bandit (MAB) is a prominent approach for optimizing the LoRa parameters and network performance. In this work, we propose a new discounted upper confidence bound (DUCB) MAB to maximize energy efficiency and improve the overall performance of the LoRa network. We designed novel discount and exploration bonus functions to maximize the policy rewards to increase the number of successful transmissions. The results show that the proposed discount and exploration functions give better mean rewards irrespective of the number of trials, which has significant importance for LoRa networks. The designed policy outperforms other policies reported in the literature and has a lesser time complexity, a comparable mean rewards, and improves the mean rewards by a minimum of 8%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Internet of Things: Latest Advances)

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20 pages, 6059 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics Mode Analysis-Inspired Compact UWB Antenna with WLAN and X-Band Notch Features for Wireless Applications

by Praveen Kumar, Manohara Pai MM, Pradeep Kumar, Tanweer Ali, M. Gulam Nabi Alsath and Vidhyashree Suresh

J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2023, 12(3), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan12030037 - 23 Apr 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2593

Abstract

A compact circular structured monopole antenna for ultrawideband (UWB) and UWB dual-band notch applications is designed and fabricated on an FR4 substrate. The UWB antenna has a hybrid configuration of the circle and three ellipses as the radiating plane and less than a [...] Read more.

A compact circular structured monopole antenna for ultrawideband (UWB) and UWB dual-band notch applications is designed and fabricated on an FR4 substrate. The UWB antenna has a hybrid configuration of the circle and three ellipses as the radiating plane and less than a quarter-lowered ground plane. The overall dimensions of the projected antennas are 16 × 11 × 1.6 mm³, having a −10 dB impedance bandwidth of 113% (3.7–13.3 GHz). Further, two frequency band notches were created using two inverted U-shaped slots on the radiator. These slots notch the frequency band from 5–5.6 GHz and 7.3–8.3 GHz, covering IEEE 802.11, Wi-Fi, WLAN, and the entire X-band satellite communication. A comprehensive frequency and time domain analysis is performed to validate the projected antenna design’s effectiveness. In addition, a circuit model of the projected antenna design is built, and its performance is evaluated. Furthermore, unlike the traditional technique, which uses the simulated surface current distribution to verify functioning, characteristic mode analysis (CMA) is used to provide deeper insight into distinct modes on the antenna. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Electronic Communications, IOT and Big Data)

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J. Sens. Actuator Netw., Volume 12, Issue 3 (June 2023) – 12 articles

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