Internet of Things-aided Smart Grid: Technologies, Architectures, Applications, Prototypes, and Future Research Directions

Traditional power grids are being transformed into Smart Grids (SGs) to address the issues in existing power system due to uni-directional information flow, energy wastage, growing energy demand, reliability and security. SGs offer bi-directional energy flow between service providers and consumers, involving power generation, transmission, distribution and utilization systems. SGs employ various devices for the monitoring, analysis and control of the grid, deployed at power plants, distribution centers and in consumers' premises in a very large number. Hence, an SG requires connectivity, automation and the tracking of such devices. This is achieved with the help of Internet of Things (IoT). IoT helps SG systems to support various network functions throughout the generation, transmission, distribution and consumption of energy by incorporating IoT devices (such as sensors, actuators and smart meters), as well as by providing the connectivity, automation and tracking for such devices. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey on IoT-aided SG systems, which includes the existing architectures, applications and prototypes of IoT-aided SG systems. This survey also highlights the open issues, challenges and future research directions for IoT-aided SG systems

Bridges Structural Health Monitoring and Deterioration Detection Synthesis of Knowledge and Technology

INE/AUTC 10.0

Otimização do fronthaul ótico para redes de acesso de rádio (baseadas) em computação em nuvem (CC-RANs)

Doutoramento conjunto (MAP-Tele) em Engenharia Eletrotécnica/TelecomunicaçõesA proliferação de diversos tipos de dispositivos moveis, aplicações e serviços com grande necessidade de largura de banda têm contribuído para o aumento de ligações de banda larga e ao aumento do volume de trafego das redes de telecomunicações moveis. Este aumento exponencial tem posto uma enorme pressão nos mobile operadores de redes móveis (MNOs). Um dos aspetos principais deste recente desenvolvimento, é a necessidade que as redes têm de oferecer baixa complexidade nas ligações, como também baixo consumo energético, muito baixa latência e ao mesmo tempo uma grande capacidade por baixo usto. De maneira a resolver estas questões, os MNOs têm focado a sua atenção na redes de acesso por rádio em nuvem (C-RAN) principalmente devido aos seus benefícios em termos de otimização de performance e relação qualidade preço. O standard para a distribuição de sinais sem fios por um fronthaul C-RAN é o common public radio interface (CPRI). No entanto, ligações óticas baseadas em interfaces CPRI necessitam de uma grande largura de banda. Estes requerimentos podem também ser atingidos com uma implementação em ligação free space optical (FSO) que é um sistema ótico que usa comunicação sem fios. O FSO tem sido uma alternativa muito apelativa aos sistemas de comunicação rádio (RF) pois combinam a flexibilidade e mobilidade das redes RF ao mesmo tempo que permitem a elevada largura de banda permitida pelo sistema ótico. No entanto, as ligações FSO são suscetíveis a alterações atmosféricas que podem prejudicar o desempenho do sistema de comunicação. Estas limitações têm evitado o FSO de ser tornar uma excelente solução para o fronthaul. Uma caracterização precisa do canal e tecnologias mais avançadas são então necessárias para uma implementação pratica de ligações FSO. Nesta tese, vamos estudar uma implementação eficiente para fronthaul baseada em tecnologia á rádio-sobre-FSO (RoFSO). Propomos expressões em forma fechada para mitigação das perdas de propagação e para a estimação da capacidade do canal de maneira a aliviar a complexidade do sistema de comunicação. Simulações numéricas são também apresentadas para formatos de modulação adaptativas. São também considerados esquemas como um sistema hibrido RF/FSO e tecnologias de transmissão apoiadas por retransmissores que ajudam a alivar os requerimentos impostos por um backhaul/fronthaul de C-RAN. Os modelos propostos não só reduzem o esforço computacional, como também têm outros méritos, tais como, uma elevada precisão na estimação do canal e desempenho, baixo requisitos na capacidade de memória e uma rápida e estável operação comparativamente com o estado da arte em sistemas analíticos (PON)-FSO. Este sistema é implementado num recetor em tempo real que é emulado através de uma field-programmable gate array (FPGA) comercial. Permitindo assim um sistema aberto, interoperabilidade, portabilidade e também obedecer a standards de software aberto. Os esquemas híbridos têm a habilidade de suportar diferentes aplicações, serviços e múltiplos operadores a partilharem a mesma infraestrutura de fibra ótica.The proliferation of different mobile devices, bandwidth-intensive applications and services contribute to the increase in the broadband connections and the volume of traffic on the mobile networks. This exponential growth has put considerable pressure on the mobile network operators (MNOs). In principal, there is a need for networks that not only offer low-complexity, low-energy consumption, and extremely low-latency but also high-capacity at relatively low cost. In order to address the demand, MNOs have given significant attention to the cloud radio access network (C-RAN) due to its beneficial features in terms of performance optimization and cost-effectiveness. The de facto standard for distributing wireless signal over the C-RAN fronthaul is the common public radio interface (CPRI). However, optical links based on CPRI interfaces requires large bandwidth. Also, the aforementioned requirements can be realized with the implementation of free space optical (FSO) link, which is an optical wireless system. The FSO is an appealing alternative to the radio frequency (RF) communication system that combines the flexibility and mobility offered by the RF networks with the high-data rates provided by the optical systems. However, the FSO links are susceptible to atmospheric impairments which eventually hinder the system performance. Consequently, these limitations prevent FSO from being an efficient standalone fronthaul solution. So, precise channel characterizations and advanced technologies are required for practical FSO link deployment and operation. In this thesis, we study an efficient fronthaul implementation that is based on radio-on-FSO (RoFSO) technologies. We propose closedform expressions for fading-mitigation and for the estimation of channel capacity so as to alleviate the system complexity. Numerical simulations are presented for adaptive modulation scheme using advanced modulation formats. We also consider schemes like hybrid RF/FSO and relay-assisted transmission technologies that can help in alleviating the stringent requirements by the C-RAN backhaul/fronthaul. The propose models not only reduce the computational requirements/efforts, but also have a number of diverse merits such as high-accuracy, low-memory requirements, fast and stable operation compared to the current state-of-the-art analytical based approaches. In addition to the FSO channel characterization, we present a proof-of-concept experiment in which we study the transmission capabilities of a hybrid passive optical network (PON)-FSO system. This is implemented with the real-time receiver that is emulated by a commercial field-programmable gate array (FPGA). This helps in facilitating an open system and hence enables interoperability, portability, and open software standards. The hybrid schemes have the ability to support different applications, services, and multiple operators over a shared optical fiber infrastructure

Design and implementation of a bi-directional visible light communication testbed

Abstract. This work defines a bi-directional visible light communication (VLC) testbed design and implementation process using Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) software defined radios (SDR) and open-source software. The visible light communication design uses LED light sources for wireless communications purposes. The testbed combines light, infrared and radio frequencies as wireless media to be utilized in a hybrid wireless communication system. Bi-directional communication at 12.5 Mbps bit rate was successfully achieved and only limited by a sample rate of the USRP system. The achieved communication distance was in the range of 0.5 to 7 meters depending on the used optics. A TCP-IP communication and access to the Internet was also established by using light and infrared communication links. The Internet connection was also established by using power line communication for providing data to the lighting through the existing power line cables. The results in the work were obtained by using a GMSK modulation. Also, GFSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16-QAM and OFDM modulation were initially tested for future study.Kaksisuuntaisen näkyvän valon tiedonsiirtotestialustan suunnittelu ja toteutus. Tiivistelmä. Työssä suunnitellaan ja rakennetaan kaksisuuntainen kokeiluympäristö valon käyttöön langattomassa tiedonsiirrossa käyttäen ohjelmistoradioita ja avoimen lähdekoodin ohjelmistoja. Kokeiluympäristössä voidaan tutkia ja käyttää valon, Infrapunan ja radioaaltojen taajuusalueita tiedonsiirtoon. Valon tiedonsiirrossa käytetään valaistuskäyttöön suunniteltuja LED valaisimia sekä valaistukseen että tiedonsiirtoon. Työssä saavuttiin laitteiston näytteistystaajuuden rajoittama kaksisuuntainen 12,5 Mb/s tiedonsiirtonopeus ja käytetyn optiikan ominaisuuksista sekä tiedonsiirtonopeudesta riippuvainen tiedonsiirtoetäisyys 0,5–7 metriä. Järjestelmään ohjelmoitiin valo- ja infrapunalinkin avulla toimiva TCP-IP yhteys Internetiin. Internet yhteys valaisimelle onnistuttiin siirtämään myös käyttäen sähköverkon valmiita kaapelointeja. Työn tulokset saavuttiin käyttäen GMSK moduloitua signaalia. Myös GFSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16-QAM ja OFDM modulaatioiden toimivuus testattiin tutkimuksen jatkoa varten

Effectiveness of OPC for systems integration in the process control information architecture

A Process is defined as the progression to some particular end or objective through a logical and orderly sequence of events. Various devices (e.g., actuators, limit switches, motors, sensors, etc.) play a significant role in making sure that the process attains its objective (e.g., maintaining the furnace temperature within an acceptable limit). To do these things effectively, manufacturers need to access data from the plant floor or devices and integrate those into their control applications, which maybe one of the off the shelf tools such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Distributed Control System (DCS), or Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). A number of vendors have devised their own Data Acquisition Networks or Process Control Architectures (e.g., PROFIBUS, DEVICENET, INTERBUS, ETHERNET I/P, etc.) that claim to be open to or interoperable with a number of third party devices or products that make process data available to the Process or Business Management level. In reality this is far from what it is claimed to be. Due to the problem of interoperability, a manufacturer is forced to be bound, either with the solutions provided by a single vendor or with the writing of a driver for each hardware device that is accessed by a process application. Today\u27s manufacturers are looking for advanced distributed object technologies that allow for seamless exchange of information across plant networks as a means of integrating the islands of automation that exist in their manufacturing operations. OLE for Process Control (OPC) works to significantly reduce the time, cost, and effort required in writing custom interfaces for hundreds of different intelligent devices and networks in use today. The objective of this thesis is to explore the OLE for Process Control (OPC) technology in depth by highlighting its need in industry and by using the OPC technology in an application in which data from a process controlled by Siemens Simatic S7 PLC are shared with a client application running in LabVTEW6i

Telecommunication Systems

This book is based on both industrial and academic research efforts in which a number of recent advancements and rare insights into telecommunication systems are well presented. The volume is organized into four parts: "Telecommunication Protocol, Optimization, and Security Frameworks", "Next-Generation Optical Access Technologies", "Convergence of Wireless-Optical Networks" and "Advanced Relay and Antenna Systems for Smart Networks." Chapters within these parts are self-contained and cross-referenced to facilitate further study

EXTRACTION OF PICTORIAL ENERGY INFORMATION FROM CAMPUS UNMETERED BUILDINGS USING IMAGE PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

In recent years, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) has been the main research focus due to the traditional power grid has been restricted to meet development requirements. There has been an ongoing effort to increase the number of AMI devices that provide real-time data readings to improve system observability. Deployed AMI across distribution secondary networks provides load and consumption information for individual households which can improve grid management. Significant upgrade costs associated with retrofitting existing meters with network-capable sensing can be made more economical by using image processing methods to extract usage information from images of the existing meters. This thesis presents a new solution that uses online data exchange of power consumption information to a cloud server without modifying the existing electromechanical analog meters. In this framework, application of a systematic approach to extract energy data from images replaces the manual reading process. One case study illustrates the digital imaging approach is compared to the averages determined by visual readings over a one-month period

CCTV Technology Handbook

This CCTV Technology Handbook provides emergency responders, law enforcement security managers, and other security specialists with a reference to aid in planning, designing, and purchasing a CCTV system. This handbook includes a description of the capabilities and limitations of CCTV components used in security applications

Analytical and simulation performance modelling of indoor infrared wireless data communications protocols

The Infrared (IR) optical medium provides an alternative to radio frequencies (RF) for low cost, low power and short-range indoor wireless data communications. Low-cost optoelectronic components with an unregulated IR spectrum provide the potential for very high-speed wireless communication with good security. However IR links have a limited range and are susceptible to high noise levels from ambient light sources. The Infrared Data Association (IrDA) has produced a set of communication protocol standards (IrDA I. x) for directed point-to-point IR wireless links using a HDLC (High-level Data Link Control) based data link layer which have been widely adopted. To address the requirement for multi-point ad-hoc wireless connectivity, IrDA have produced a new standard (Advanced Infrared -AIr) to support multiple-device non-directed IR Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). AIr employs an enhanced physical layer and a CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) based MAC (Media Access Control) layer employing RTS/CTS (Request To Send / Clear To Send) media reservation. This thesis is concerned with the design of IrDA based IR wireless links at the datalink layer, media access sub-layer, and physical layer and presents protocol performance models with the aim of highlighting the critical factors affecting performance and providing recommendations to system designers for parameter settings and protocol enhancements to optimise performance. An analytical model of the IrDA 1.x data link layer (IrLAP Infrared Link Access -Protocol) using Markov analysis of the transmission window width providing saturation condition throughput in relation to the link bit-error-rate (BER), datarate andprotocol parameter settings is presented. Results are presented for simultaneous optimisation of the data packetsize and transmission window size. A simulation model of the IrDA l. x protocol, developed with OPNETTM Modeler, is used for validation of analytical results and to produce non-saturation throughput and delay performance results. An analytical model of the AIr MAC protocol providing saturation condition utilisation and delay results in relation to the number of contending devices and MAC protocol parametersis presented.Results indicate contention window size values for optimum utilisation. The effectiveness of the AIr contention window linear back-off process is examined through Markov analysis. An OPNET simulation model of the Alf protocol is used for validation of the analytical model results and provides non-reservation throughput and delay results. An analytical model of the IR link physical layer is presented and derives expressions for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and BER in relation to link transmitter and receiver characteristics, link geometry, noise levels and line encoding schemes. The effect of third user interference on BER and resulting link asymmetry is also examined, indicating the minimum separation distance for adjacent links. Expressions for BER are linked to the data link layer analysis to provide optimum throughput results in relation to physical layer propertiesandlink distance

Novel EOD Robot Design with a Dexterous Gripper and Intuitive Teleoperation

This project focuses on the design and implementation of an intelligent Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) robot to provide law enforcement agencies with a cost effective and reliable robotic platform. The key features of the robot include an intuitive user interface which provides additional sensor feedback and enhanced visual awareness, an onboard three degree of freedom manipulator arm, and a dexterous gripper allowing for the removal of detonators. The robot provides a safe distance threat assessment and increased capacity for explosive ordinance disposal, improving the effectiveness of bomb disposal teams. The robot\u27s low-cost, intuitive operation and ease-of-maintenance promote its widespread appeal, thereby saving the lives of both law enforcement personnel and civilians