Satellite Systems in the Era of 5G Internet of Things

In recent years, IoT applications have drawn a great deal of attention, both in academia and industry. A crucial requirement of any infrastructure serving the IoT market will be to guarantee ubiquitous connectivity to the low-cost, low-powered devices distributed all over the globe. It is widely accepted that this requirement will not be met by the terrestrial network alone. There will be, in fact, vast areas of the globe where the terrestrial infrastructure deployment will be unfeasible or not economically viable, thus leaving those areas un- or under-served. For this reason, several studies and projects are addressing the use of a Non-Terrestrial Network component to seamlessly complement and extend the terrestrial network coverage in future systems. The design of these extremely complex systems requires manifold analyses at different levels of abstraction, from satellite constellation and ground segment architecture aspects, to the evaluation of the air interface behaviour, in order to evaluate the system performance. The aim of this work is to perform a detailed analysis of the SatCom system aspects, trying to be as accurate as possible but without getting lost in unnecessary details, in order to provide a comprehensive set of tools, organised in a simulation platform, to support the design and performance evaluation of the system. Notably, simulation softwares play an important role in this framework; however, a full-featured simulation tool does not yet exist for the evaluation of the described emerging technologies. ESA M2M Simulator (ESiM2M) is a System-Level Simulator, developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency, which is intended for closing this gap, as a tool for the design and analysis, from a system-level point of view, of Satellite-IoT systems. This work is primarily focused on the description of the ESiM2M simulation tool and the results derived with the latter from analyses on Satellite-IoT systems

A REVIEW STUDY OF EUROPEAN R&D PROJECTS FOR SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS IN 5G/6G ERA

Κατά τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες τα δορυφορικά συστήματα τηλεπικοινωνιών έχουν προσφέρει μια γκάμα από πολυμεσικές υπηρεσίες όπως δορυφορική τηλεόραση, δορυφορική τηλεφωνία και ευρυζωνική πρόσβαση στο διαδίκτυο. Οι μακροπρόθεσμες τεχνολογικές αναβαθμίσεις σε συνδυασμό με την προσθήκη νέων δορυφορικών συστημάτων γεωστατικής και ελλειπτικής τροχιάς και με την ενσωμάτωση τεχνολογιών πληροφορικής έχουν ωθήσει την αύξηση του μέγιστου εύρους των δορυφόρων στο 1Gbps σε μεμονωμένους δορυφόρους ενώ σε διάταξη αστερισμού μπορούν να ξεπεράσουν το 1 Tbps. Σε συνδυασμό με την μείωση του χρόνου απόκρισης σε ρυθμούς ανταγωνιστικούς με τις χερσαίες υποδομές ανοίγουν νέες ευκαιρίες και νέους ρόλους εντός ενός οικοσυστήματος ετερογενούς δικτύων 5ης γενιάς. Σε αυτήν την διατριβή, αξιολογούμε επιδοτούμενα επιστημονικά προγράμματα έρευνας και ανάπτυξης της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής Διαστήματος (ESA) και του προγράμματος επιδότησης Horizon 2020 της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, προκειμένου να εξηγήσουμε τις δυνατότητες των δορυφόρων εντός ενός ετερογενούς δικτύου 5ης γενιάς, αναφέρουμε συγκεκριμένα αυτά που αφορούν την εξέλιξη των δορυφορικών ψηφιακών συστημάτων και την ικανότητα ενσωμάτωσης τους σε τωρινές αλλά και μελλοντικές υποδομές χερσαίων τηλεπικοινωνιακών δικτύων μέσω της εμφάνισης νέων τεχνολογιών στις ηλεκτρονικές και οπτικές επικοινωνίες αέρος μαζί με την εμφάνιση τεχνολογιών πληροφορικής όπως της δικτύωσης βασισμένης στο λογισμικό και της εικονικοποίησης λειτουργιών δικτύου. Αναφερόμαστε στους στόχους του κάθε project ξεχωριστά και κατηγοριοποιημένα στους ακόλουθους τομείς έρευνας: -Συσσωμάτωση των δορυφόρων με τα επίγεια δίκτυα 5ης γενιάς με οργανωμένες μελέτες και στρατηγικές -Ενσωμάτωση των τεχνολογιών δικτύωσης βασισμένης στο λογισμικό και εικονικοποίησης λειτουργιών δικτύου στο δορυφορικών τμήμα των δικτύων 5ης γενιάς -Ο ρόλος των δορυφόρων σε εφαρμογές του διαδικτύου των πραγμάτων σε συνάφεια με τα χερσαία δίκτυα 5ης γενιάς -Ο ρόλος των δορυφόρων στην δίκτυα διανομής πολυμεσικού περιεχομένου & η επιρροή των πρωτοκόλλων διαδικτύου στην ποιότητα υπηρεσίας χρήστη κατά την διάρκεια μιας δορυφορικής σύνδεσης. -Μελλοντικές βελτιώσεις και εφαρμογές στα δορυφορικά συστήματα με έμφαση στα μελλοντικά πρότυπα του φυσικό επιπέδου Στο τέλος διαθέτουμε ένα παράρτημα που αφορά τεχνικές αναλύσεις στην εξέλιξη του φυσικού επιπέδου των δορυφορικών συστημάτων, συνοδευόμενο με την συσχετιζόμενη βιβλιογραφία για περαιτέρω μελέτη.Over the last decades satellite telecommunication systems offer many types of multimedia services like Satellite TV, telephony and broadband internet access. The long-term technological evolutions occurred into state-of-the-art satellite systems altogether with the addition of new high throughput geostatic and non-geostatic systems, individual satellites can now achieve a peak bandwidth of up to Gbps, and with possible extension into satellite constellation systems the total capacity can reach up to Tbps. Supplementary, with systems latency being comparable to terrestrial infrastructures and with integration of several computer science technologies, satellite systems can achieve new & more advanced roles inside a heterogeneous 5G network’s ecosystem. In this thesis, we have studied European Space Agency (ESA’s) and European Union’s (EU) Horizon 2020 Research and Development (R&D) funded projects in order to describe the satellite capabilities within a 5G heterogeneous network, mentioning the impact of the evolution of digital satellite communications and furthermore the integration with the state-of the art & future terrain telecommunication systems by new technologies occurred through the evolution of electronic & free space optical communications alongside with the integration of computer science’s technologies like Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV). In order to describe this evolution we have studied the concepts of each individual project, categorized chronically and individual by its scientific field of research. Our main scientific trends for this thesis are: -Satellite Integration studies & strategies into the 5G terrestrial networks -Integration of SDN and NFV technologies on 5G satellite component -Satellite’s role in the Internet of Things applications over 5G terrestrial networks -Satellite’s role in Content Distribution Networks & internet protocols impact over user’s Quality of Experience (QoE) over a satellite link -The future proposals upon the evolution of Satellite systems by upcoming improvements and corresponding standards Finally, we have created an Annex for technical details upon the evolution of physical layer of the satellite systems with the corresponding bibliography of this thesis for future study

Delay-Tolerant ICN and Its Application to LoRa

Connecting long-range wireless networks to the Internet imposes challenges due to vastly longer round-trip-times (RTTs). In this paper, we present an ICN protocol framework that enables robust and efficient delay-tolerant communication to edge networks. Our approach provides ICN-idiomatic communication between networks with vastly different RTTs. We applied this framework to LoRa, enabling end-to-end consumer-to-LoRa-producer interaction over an ICN-Internet and asynchronous data production in the LoRa edge. Instead of using LoRaWAN, we implemented an IEEE 802.15.4e DSME MAC layer on top of the LoRa PHY and ICN protocol mechanisms in RIOT OS. Executed on off-the-shelf IoT hardware, we provide a comparative evaluation for basic NDN-style ICN [60], RICE [31]-like pulling, and reflexive forwarding [46]. This is the first practical evaluation of ICN over LoRa using a reliable MAC. Our results show that periodic polling in NDN works inefficiently when facing long and differing RTTs. RICE reduces polling overhead and exploits gateway knowledge, without violating ICN principles. Reflexive forwarding reflects sporadic data generation naturally. Combined with a local data push, it operates efficiently and enables lifetimes of >1 year for battery powered LoRa-ICN nodes.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 2 table

New Waves of IoT Technologies Research – Transcending Intelligence and Senses at the Edge to Create Multi Experience Environments

The next wave of Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) brings new technological developments that incorporate radical advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), edge computing processing, new sensing capabilities, more security protection and autonomous functions accelerating progress towards the ability for IoT systems to self-develop, self-maintain and self-optimise. The emergence of hyper autonomous IoT applications with enhanced sensing, distributed intelligence, edge processing and connectivity, combined with human augmentation, has the potential to power the transformation and optimisation of industrial sectors and to change the innovation landscape. This chapter is reviewing the most recent advances in the next wave of the IoT by looking not only at the technology enabling the IoT but also at the platforms and smart data aspects that will bring intelligence, sustainability, dependability, autonomy, and will support human-centric solutions.acceptedVersio

Architecting Internet of aerospace things: A system for tracking passengers inside an airport terminal

Experts predict the number of devices connected to Internet of Things networks in 2020 will reach 50 billion, being used in numerous industries. This Thesis focuses on the aerospace scenario and investigates how and where this technology might be applied to airport mobility and security. The discussion is initiated by presenting the concept of Internet of Aerospace Things, IoAT, its main premises and the importance of connectivity in the aerospace domain, which form the basis of the objective of the system. An airport terminal is an environment where different individuals and companies with diverse interests coincide, and the weak connectivity present between these parties leads to a lack of communication that often creates inefficiencies such as unnecessary waits or poor distribution of resources. The study is focused on the passengers, discussing possible solutions for reducing their traverse time. To accomplish that, this work proposes providing them with information regarding the people density at different points of the terminal based on tracking technologies. Next, RFID is selected as the concept for the system and the applicability of this technology for tracking passengers inside an airport terminal is studied. That is followed by the identification of a set of key decisions, such as the physical limits of the system or the specific technology to be deployed, in order to study the different possible architectures. To that end, a simulation model is developed and it incorporates the most important parts of the system, including: An airport model based on Chicago O'Hare International Airport, a passenger trajectory model, a link budget model, a coverage model, a reader placement algorithm, a communication protocol and the limitations of the available RFID technology. Based on the developed model, the architecture tradespace for the system is presented and the best architectures are analyzed based on the metrics space. Next, the influence and impact each decision has on the tradespace is evaluated, providing further insights on the system performance and cost. Then, the best architectures are chosen and extended simulation results are presented, showing that the system helps to increase the information on the airport passenger density, thus allowing passengers to take efficient decisions as well as helping the airport authority with security control.Los expertos predicen que el número de dispositivos conectados a redes de Internet of Things en el 2020 llegará a los cincuenta mil millones, estando presentes en numerosas industrias. Este Trabajo se centra en el contexto aeroespacial e investiga cómo i dónde esta tecnología puede ser aplicada en la movilidad y seguridad en un aeropuerto. Se empieza la discusión presentando el concepto de Internet of Aerospace Things, IoAT, sus premisas más características y la importancia de la conectividad en el ámbito aeroespacial, el cual forma la base del objetivo del sistema. Una terminal de aeropuerto es un medio donde diferentes individuales y empresas con intereses diversos coinciden, y la conectividad débil que se presenta entre estas partes conduce a una falta de comunicación que crea ineficiencias, como esperas innecesarias o una distribución pobre de los recursos. El estudio se centra en los pasajeros, argumentando las soluciones posibles para reducir su tiempo de travesía. Para conseguirlo, se propone proporcionarlos información respecto a la densidad de personas en diferentes puntos de la terminal en base a tecnologías de seguimiento. Luego, RFID es elegido como concepto del sistema y se estudia la aplicabilidad de esta tecnología para el seguimiento de pasajeros dentro de una terminal de aeropuerto. Después, se identifica un conjunto de decisiones clave, como los límites físicos del sistema o la tecnología específica a ser instalada, con tal de estudiar las diferentes arquitecturas posibles. Con este fin, se desarrolla un modelo de simulación incorporando las partes más importantes del sistema, incluyendo: un modelo de aeropuerto basado en el aeropuerto de Chicago O'Hare International, un modelo para las trayectorias de los pasajeros, un modelos de balance de enlace, un modelo de cobertura, un algoritmo de colocación de lectores, un protocolo de comunicación y las limitaciones de la tecnología RFID disponible. En base al modelo desarrollado, se presenta el tradespace de las arquitecturas del sistema y se analiza cuáles son las mejores arquitecturas a partir del espacio de métricas. Después, se evalúa la influencia e impacto que cada decisión tiene en el tradespace, proporcionando más ideas sobre el rendimiento y el coste del sistema. Luego, se eligen las mejores arquitecturas y se presentan resultados ampliados de la simulación, demostrando que el sistema ayuda a incrementar la información sobre la densidad de pasajeros en el aeropuerto, permitiendo que los pasajeros puedan tomar decisiones eficientes a la vez que ayuda en la gestión de la seguridad a la autoridad aeroportuaria.Els experts prediuen que el nombre de dispositius connectats a xarxes d’Internet of Things al 2020 arribarà als cinquanta mil milions, estant presents a nombroses industries. En aquest Treball ens centrem en el context aeroespacial i investiguem com i on aquesta tecnologia pot ser aplicada en la mobilitat i seguretat a un aeroport. Comencem la discussió presentant el concepte d’Internet of Aerospace Things, IoAT, les seves premisses més característiques i la importància de la connectivitat en l’àmbit aeroespacial, el qual forma la base de l’objectiu del nostre sistema. Una terminal d’aeroport és un medi on diferents individuals i companyies amb interessos diversos coincideixen, i la connectivitat dèbil que es presenta entre aquestes parts condueix a una falta de comunicació que crea ineficiències, com esperes innecessàries o una distribució pobra dels recursos. Centrem el nostre estudi en els passatgers, argumentant les solucions possibles per a reduir el seu temps de travessia. Per aconseguir-ho, proposem proporcionar-los informació respecte la densitat de persones a diferents punts de la terminal basant-nos en tecnologies de seguiment. Llavors, escollim RFID com el concepte del nostre sistema i estudiem l’aplicabilitat d’aquesta tecnologia per al seguiment de passatgers dintre una terminal d’aeroport. Després, identifiquem un conjunt de decisions clau, com els límits físics del nostre sistema o la tecnologia específica a ser instal·lada, per tal d’estudiar les diferents arquitectures possibles. Amb aquest fi, desenvolupem un model de simulació incorporant les parts més importants del sistema, incloent: un model d’aeroport basat en l’aeroport de Chicago O’Hare International, un model per a les trajectòries dels passatgers, un model de balanç d’enllaç, un model de cobertura, un algorisme de col·locació de lectors, un protocol de comunicació i les limitacions de la tecnologia RFID disponible. Basant-nos en el model desenvolupat, presentem el tradespace de les arquitectures del nostre sistema i analitzem quines són les millors arquitectures a partir de l’espai de mètriques. Avaluem la influència i impacte que cada decisió té al tradespace, proporcionant més idees sobre el rendiment i el cost del sistema. Llavors, escollim les millors arquitectures i presentem resultats ampliats de la simulació, demostrant que el nostre sistema ajuda a incrementar la informació sobre la densitat de passatgers a l’aeroport, permetent que els passatgers prenguin decisions eficients alhora que ajuda en la gestió de la seguretat a l’autoritat aeroportuària

Novel Network Paradigms: Microfluidic and M2M Communications

The present thesis focuses on two appealing paradigms that are expected to characterize the next generation of communication systems: microfluidic networking and Machine to Machine (M2M) Communications. Concerning the former topic, we show how it is possible to introduce switching and routing mechanism in microfluidic systems. We define some simple mathematical models that capture the macroscopic behavior of droplets in microfluidic networks. Then, we use them to implement a simulator that is able to reproduce the motion and predict the path of droplets in a generic microfluidic system. We validate the simulator and apply it to design a network with bus topology. Finally, we prove the feasibility of attaining molecular communication in this domain by describing a simple protocol that exploits droplets length/interdistance modulation to send information. The research activity on M2M, instead, is aimed at the investigation of two critical issues that are expected to affect Machine-Type Communication (MTC), i.e. energy efficiency and massive access. Regarding energy efficiency, we address the problem of delivering a fixed data payload over a Rayleigh fading wireless channel with the purpose of minimizing the average total energy cost, given by the sum of the transmit energy and an overhead circuit energy, to complete it. This scenario is well suited for uplink cellular MTC in future 5G Internet of Things (IoT) use cases, where the focus is more on device energy efficiency than on throughput. We describe the optimal transmission policies to be used under various coordinated access scenarios with different levels of channel state information and transmitter/receiver capabilities, and show the corresponding theoretical bounds. In the last part of the work, we study the asymptotic performance of uncoordinated access schemes with Multi Packet Reception (MPR) and Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) techniques for contention resolution at the receiver. The corresponding results in terms of throughput in a massive access M2M scenario are finally evaluated and discussed