Low-cost, lightweight IoT platform with custom LPWAN LoRa integration

In this thesis, we present our IoT platform developed by using open source technologies, following a flexible component approach. The platform architecture is divided into multiple layers providing the flexibility required in order to allow the integration of custom gateways and application servers. The proposed IoT platform supports Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) integration, such as LoRa, using a custom network server implementation. The network server supports uplink/downlink communications with a Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) interface. This work may be applied in remote places, for example, in rural areas in order to support the deployment of IoT solutions. To support multiple IoT enabled devices through different network types, a multi-protocol approach is intended for the proposed platform. The main goal of our research is to provide a low-cost, lightweight, multi-protocol, as a custom LoRa implementation alternative, that supports, IoT applications, gateways, devices, and their respective sensors/actuators.Nesta tese, é apresentada uma plataforma IoT desenvolvida através da utilização de tecnologias open source, seguindo uma abordagem de componentes flexíveis. A arquitectura da plataforma está dividida em múltiplas camadas providenciando assim a flexibilidade necessária para permitir a integração de gateways e application servers personalizados. A plataforma IoT proposta suporta a integração de tecnologias Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN), tal como LoRa, recorrendo a uma implementação adaptada no network server. O network server suporta comunicações uplink/downlink com uma interface Message Queing Telemetry Transport (MQTT). Este trabalho pode ser aplicado em zonas remotas, como por exemplo, em áreas rurais com o objetivo de suportar o desenvolvimento de soluções IoT. Para que seja possível sustentar vários aparelhos IoT através de diferentes tipos de networks, é necessária uma abordagem multi-protocolar para a plataforma proposta. O principal objetivo desta pesquisa foi providenciar uma alternativa de baixo custo, multi-protocolar e leve, com a implementação de tecnologias longo alcance que sustente aplicações IoT, gateways, aparelhos e os seus respetivos sensores/atuadores

Regulatory Imperatives for the Future of SADC’s “Digital Complexity Ecosystem”

This article uses a “digital complexity ecosystem” framing to delineate the challenges facing regulation of the digital economy in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The digital complexity ecosystem approach, grounded in the field of complexity science – and in particular the study of complex adaptive systems (CASs) – is used to illuminate the sources of uncertainty, unpredictability and discontinuity currently present in the SADC digital sphere. Drawing on examples from three regulatory areas, namely mobile financial services, Internet of Things (IoT) network and services markets, and e-health services, the article argues that SADC regulatory bodies will themselves need to adopt highly adaptive, nonlinear approaches if they are to successfully regulate activities in the digital ecosystem moving forward. Based on the findings, recommendations are made on SADC regional regulatory agendas and, at national levels, matters of concurrent jurisdiction.CA201

Proposing internet of things integration into deoxyribonucleic acid technology for combating stock theft in Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa

The ever-increasing stock theft in the selected areas of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province seems to be uncontrollable. Heavily reliance on the use of conventional methods, such as brand-marking and tattooing and legislative frameworks, like the Stock Theft Act (No. 57 of 1959) and Animal Identification Act (No. 6 of 2002) in attempting to quell this crime currently proved ineffective. In responding to this elusive scourge, the objective of this study was to propose Internet of Things (IoT) integration into Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology for combating stock theft in the selected areas of KZN Province. This qualitative study was guided by the descriptive and exploratory research designs, with approximately 49 participants purposively selected from various Anti-Stock theft stakeholders. The Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interview (KIIs) were adopted for data collections. The inductive Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) was also employed for data analysis. This study established that IoT allows livestock farmers to improve their livestock management through activity and movement-monitoring. Thus, the sought integration with DNA technology can adequately aid to evidence gathering relating and livestock identification by offering DNA characteristics. It is recommended that all Anti-Stock theft stakeholders should highly consider undergoing educational courses and other related trainings based on the effective use of IoT and DNA technology to physical match livestock ear notches and brands, as well as provide specific descriptions and verifications of their near real-time visibility in varying periods respectively

IoT adoption in agriculture:a systematic review

Agriculture is one of these sectors where Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to make a major impact. Yet, its adoption in the sector falls behind the expectations. This paper presents an extensive review of 1355 publications over the last decade, with an aim to highlight the state-of-the-art of research on IoT in agriculture and investigate its slow adoption. The literature review reveals that the “big three” barriers for the overall sector are cost, skills, and standardization, while the lack of connectivity and data governance are two key reasons why most of the proposed IoT solutions are standalone systems of limited scope and the majority of commercial IoT efforts focuses on practices under protected indoor environment. Lastly, the analysis of past research along the five layers of IoT system architecture reveals limited attention on barriers and solutions at the business layer, which represents a research opportunity for information systems scholars

IoT adoption in agriculture: a systematic review

Agriculture is one of these sectors where Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to make a major impact. Yet, its adoption in the sector falls behind the expectations. This paper presents an extensive review of 1355 publications over the last decade, with an aim to highlight the state-of-the-art of research on IoT in agriculture and investigate its slow adoption. The literature review reveals that the “big three” barriers for the overall sector are cost, skills, and standardization, while the lack of connectivity and data governance are two key reasons why most of the proposed IoT solutions are standalone systems of limited scope and the majority of commercial IoT efforts focuses on practices under protected indoor environment. Lastly, the analysis of past research along the five layers of IoT system architecture reveals limited attention on barriers and solutions at the business layer, which represents a research opportunity for information systems scholars

Enabling citizen science in rural environments with IoT and mobile technologies

Citizen Science focuses on engaging and incentivising individuals to collect, categorise and sometimes analyse scientific data. Over the last few years, many of these projects have contributed to relevant scientific discoveries, but bringing them to successful completion is often full of challenges and complexities. In this paper we present our progress in the creation and deployment of a Citizen Science project in Guapiruvu, a village located in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. We propose an IoT communications platform based on LoRa- enabled Raspberry Pis, which act as network hubs, and which can communicate directly with smartphone hosted applications. This platform is used to run a messaging app that allows two or more smartphones to exchange text over a LoRa network. We tested the platform in the village and results show that communication was possible up to 220 meters, even if one of the hubs was located in an area densely populated with trees. We also discuss how Sapelli Collector, a popular Citizen Science-enabler app, can be used over our developed infrastructure, and mechanisms that can used to increase adoption

Sustainable Smart Cities and Smart Villages Research

ca. 200 words; this text will present the book in all promotional forms (e.g. flyers). Please describe the book in straightforward and consumer-friendly terms. [There is ever more research on smart cities and new interdisciplinary approaches proposed on the study of smart cities. At the same time, problems pertinent to communities inhabiting rural areas are being addressed, as part of discussions in contigious fields of research, be it environmental studies, sociology, or agriculture. Even if rural areas and countryside communities have previously been a subject of concern for robust policy frameworks, such as the European Union’s Cohesion Policy and Common Agricultural Policy Arguably, the concept of ‘the village’ has been largely absent in the debate. As a result, when advances in sophisticated information and communication technology (ICT) led to the emergence of a rich body of research on smart cities, the application and usability of ICT in the context of a village has remained underdiscussed in the literature. Against this backdrop, this volume delivers on four objectives. It delineates the conceptual boundaries of the concept of ‘smart village’. It highlights in which ways ‘smart village’ is distinct from ‘smart city’. It examines in which ways smart cities research can enrich smart villages research. It sheds light on the smart village research agenda as it unfolds in European and global contexts.