Multi-RFID embedded Ticketing Kernel for MaaS

Trabalho de projeto de mestrado, Engenharia Informática (Engenharia de Software) Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2020The fast-growing human population is causing an ever-increasing trend of hyper urbanisation and globalisation, along with the popularisation of private cars to commute, which contributes to several environmental and health problems, for instance, high lev els of noise, congestion, and pollution. Hence, most cities are facilitating and enhancing commuting travel, thus, fostering the development of transportation. Today’s urban transport networks are part of the daily lives of millions of people around the world, and in this era of digitalisation, servicising, and cashless economy the public transportation must also readjust. Therefore, contactless bank cards will make it reasonable to travel by public transport. It will be the first time in Portugal that a contactless bank card enables public transport to be accessed, travelled and charged. Such a solution would encourage the contactless debit or credit card to be an alternative to the proprietary transit card, thereby helping to enhance the usability and accessibility of public transport. With the launch of the contactless solution in public transport, a metropolitan area in Portugal will very well integrate a growing list of the world’s major cities such as London, Singapore, Rio de Janeiro and New York. Moreover, new passengers gradually shift from maintaining a private car to the use of public transport means, which allows a diminution on the emission of fuel gases, and a reduction of the global pollution. In addition to that, public transport operators pains also decrease because proprietary cards are handled and managed by financial institutions, enabling the transport agencies to turn their attention to the core of their business, like the multi-modal mass transit and fare calculation. This pioneering project in Portugal involved several stakeholders, including Card4B, Visa, and Unicre. Accordingly, the project aimed to provide an open-loop model with con tactless and post-paid payments to integrate into the existing operation of transportation ticketing. Finally, the developed solution supports contactless transactions, and followed the “Contactless Specifications for Payment Systems”. Successfully, the delivered solution was certified with an EMV Level 3 Certification for both Visa PayWave and MasterCard Contactless transactions

OSCAR: A Collaborative Bandwidth Aggregation System

The exponential increase in mobile data demand, coupled with growing user expectation to be connected in all places at all times, have introduced novel challenges for researchers to address. Fortunately, the wide spread deployment of various network technologies and the increased adoption of multi-interface enabled devices have enabled researchers to develop solutions for those challenges. Such solutions aim to exploit available interfaces on such devices in both solitary and collaborative forms. These solutions, however, have faced a steep deployment barrier. In this paper, we present OSCAR, a multi-objective, incentive-based, collaborative, and deployable bandwidth aggregation system. We present the OSCAR architecture that does not introduce any intermediate hardware nor require changes to current applications or legacy servers. The OSCAR architecture is designed to automatically estimate the system's context, dynamically schedule various connections and/or packets to different interfaces, be backwards compatible with the current Internet architecture, and provide the user with incentives for collaboration. We also formulate the OSCAR scheduler as a multi-objective, multi-modal scheduler that maximizes system throughput while minimizing energy consumption or financial cost. We evaluate OSCAR via implementation on Linux, as well as via simulation, and compare our results to the current optimal achievable throughput, cost, and energy consumption. Our evaluation shows that, in the throughput maximization mode, we provide up to 150% enhancement in throughput compared to current operating systems, without any changes to legacy servers. Moreover, this performance gain further increases with the availability of connection resume-supporting, or OSCAR-enabled servers, reaching the maximum achievable upper-bound throughput

Internet of robotic things : converging sensing/actuating, hypoconnectivity, artificial intelligence and IoT Platforms

The Internet of Things (IoT) concept is evolving rapidly and influencing newdevelopments in various application domains, such as the Internet of MobileThings (IoMT), Autonomous Internet of Things (A-IoT), Autonomous Systemof Things (ASoT), Internet of Autonomous Things (IoAT), Internetof Things Clouds (IoT-C) and the Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) etc.that are progressing/advancing by using IoT technology. The IoT influencerepresents new development and deployment challenges in different areassuch as seamless platform integration, context based cognitive network integration,new mobile sensor/actuator network paradigms, things identification(addressing, naming in IoT) and dynamic things discoverability and manyothers. The IoRT represents new convergence challenges and their need to be addressed, in one side the programmability and the communication ofmultiple heterogeneous mobile/autonomous/robotic things for cooperating,their coordination, configuration, exchange of information, security, safetyand protection. Developments in IoT heterogeneous parallel processing/communication and dynamic systems based on parallelism and concurrencyrequire new ideas for integrating the intelligent “devices”, collaborativerobots (COBOTS), into IoT applications. Dynamic maintainability, selfhealing,self-repair of resources, changing resource state, (re-) configurationand context based IoT systems for service implementation and integrationwith IoT network service composition are of paramount importance whennew “cognitive devices” are becoming active participants in IoT applications.This chapter aims to be an overview of the IoRT concept, technologies,architectures and applications and to provide a comprehensive coverage offuture challenges, developments and applications

Fourth Generation Wireless Systems: Requirements and Challenges for the Next Frontier

Fourth generation wireless systems (4G) are likely to reach the consumer market in another 4-5 years. 4G comes with the promise of increased bandwidth, higher speeds, greater interoperability across communication protocols, and user friendly, innovative, and secure applications. In this article, I list the requirements of the 4G systems by considering the needs of the users in the future. These requirements can be met if technical and business challenges can be overcome. Technical challenges include mobility management, quality of service, interoperability, high data rate, security, survivability, spectrum, intelligent mobile devices, middleware, and network access. I discuss the most plausible solutions to these technical challenges in this paper. Business-related challenges include billing, payment methods, pricing, size of investments, content provision and mediation, and the trade-off between richness and reach. If these technical and business challenges can be met, then 4G will become the next frontier in data and voice communication infrastructure

Mobile ticketing using Bluetooth low energy technology

O sector dos transportes públicos tem um papel importante na maioria das cidades, algo que se evidencia quanto maior for a sua dimensão. Ao longo dos últimos anos, várias cidades tomaram medidas no sentido de reduzir o número de carros a circular nas ruas, e incentivar a população a utilizar os transportes públicos. Esta evolução da forma como a população faz as suas deslocações diárias e viaja dentro das cidades, associada com a atual evolução tecnológica, beneficiaria de uma solução que conseguisse motivar a população a utilizar os transportes públicos, através de um processo de compra e validação de bilhetes mais simples e de fácil utilização.O rápido crescimento de soluções de pagamentos móveis e a sua aceitação pela população constituem uma oportunidade para utilizar este conceito nos transportes públicos. A solução proposta nesta tese toma partido do uso de beacons Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), que atualmente são compatíveis com quase todos os dispositivos móveis (com tecnologia Bluetooth), e espera-se que se tornem mais acessíveis e com melhor desempenho num futuro próximo.A solução apresentada é uma plataforma que os utilizadores acedem através de uma aplicação nos seus dispositivos móveis, e que se integra numa rede intermodal de transportes públicos (que inclui autocarros, metro e comboio) e que funciona através de um sistema check-in/be-out. A aplicação móvel funciona através do uso da tecnologia Bluetooth nos smartphones para detetar beacons BLE, que estão instalados nos veículos (autocarros), ou nas estações (metro e comboio), e que permitem o acompanhamento das viagens dos utilizadores desde o início até ao fim. Esta plataforma também sugere a implementação de pós-pagamento integrado com um algoritmo de otimização de tarifário baseada nas viagens mensais de cada utilizador. Este processo requer interação mínima por parte de todas as partes envolvidas, resultando numa experiência mais simples quer para o utilizador, quer para as operadoras, tornando os transportes públicos mais atrativos para todos.O principal foco deste trabalho é a avaliação da viabilidade do uso de beacons BLE em cenários reais, onde todas as comunicações wireless estão sujeitas a interferências por parte de outros dispositivos. Para além da descrição de uma plataforma que tira partido do uso de beacons BLE integrados num sistema de bilhética móvel, também os desafios do processo, assim como as metodologias de teste e resultados são descritos. A validação da solução proposta está integrada num estudo piloto conduzido na cidade do Porto.Public transport play an important role in most cities, and even more in large cities. Over the last few years, we've seen some cities taking measures in order to reduce the number of cars on the streets, and make people use public transportation. This evolution of the way people commute and move around cities, associated with the technological evolution of current times, would benefit from a solution that could motivate more people to use public transports, by making the ticketing and validation processes easier and simpler. The fast spread of mobile payment solutions, and its acceptance by the population, provide an opportunity to apply this idea to public transportation. The solution this thesis proposes will also take advantage of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, which are currently compatible with most mobile devices (with Bluetooth capabilities), and are expected to become even more accessible and with better performance in a near future.The solution presented is a platform which the users access via an application on their mobile devices, and that is integrated in an intermodal public transportation network (including bus, light rail and train) that works as a check-in/be-out system. The way the mobile application works is by using the Bluetooth technology on the smartphones to detect BLE beacons, which are installed in the vehicles (buses) or stations (light rail and train), and that allow the tracking of the users' trips from start to end. This platform also suggests the implementation of post-billing with the integration of a tariff optimization algorithm based on each user's monthly trips. This process requires minimal input from all the parties involved, resulting in a smoother experience either for the user, and for the transport operators, making public transportation more appealing to everybody.The main focus of this work is to evaluate of the viability of the use of BLE beacons in real world scenarios, where all wireless communications are subject to interferences by other devices. Besides the description of a platform that takes advantage of the use of BLE beacons as part of a mobile ticketing system, also the challenges of the process, along with the testing methodologies and results are described. The validation of the solution is integrated in a pilot study conducted in Porto

Seamless Mobility: Touchless Commuting

Este projecto visa o desenvolvimento de um sistema de validação sem fios para transportes públicos, que possa substituir o atual conceito de validação com cartões inteligentes (smartcards). Desta forma, a utilização de transportes públicos torna-se mais fluída e simples para os utilizadores e, ao mesmo tempo, existe uma redução dos custos de operação. O sistema está dependente dos telemóveis dos utilizadores para enviar informação contextual relevante, sobre o uso dos transportes públicos. Um dos pontos-chave foi a investigação de tecnologias de comunicação sem fios, como o Bluetooth Low Energy, hardware e ferramentas que pudessem eficientemente determinar o uso de um serviço de transportes por parte dos passageiros. Isto representa uma mudança na abordagem dos transportes públicos - do checkin/checkout ao estar/não estar - que permitiria evitar as limitações da primeira abordagem. O projeto também focou a exploração de diferentes cenários de instalação, tendo em consideração fatores como custo, versatilidade da tecnologia e possibilidade de fraude. O protótipo foi desenvolvido no contexto de um sistema de transportes públicos real, neste caso, a Metro do Porto/STCP. Assim, investigou-se de que forma este sistema funciona, para perceber o que estava implementado, o tipo de investimento que teria de ser feito e qual a relação custo-benefício. A similaridade deste sistema com outros à escala global faz com que os resultados deste projecto possam ser uma referência para futuras implementações de sistemas de validação sem interação.Os testes no terreno permitem concluir que é possível considerar uma solução baseada em Bluetooth Low Energy, desde que a tecnologia seja otimizada, a solução desenvolvida seja aperfeiçoada e os testes continuem, em cooperação com os operadores de transportes públicos.This project envisions the development of a prototype of a wireless "validation system" for public transportation that could replace the current smart card validation concept. This makes the process of using public transports more fluid and simple for the users, while reducing operating costs for the providers. The system relies on the users' smartphones to relay relevant contextual information, regarding the public transport usage. One of the key focus points was the investigation of the existing communication wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth Low Energy, hardware and tools that could efficiently track the passengers' usage of the public transport. This represents an approach shift in public transportation - from checkin/checkout to be-in/be-out - which allows avoiding the former approach limitations.The work also focused on exploring the possible scenarios of deployment, taking in consideration several factors such as cost, versatility of the technology and possibility of fraud.The prototype was developed in the context of an actual public transportation system, in this case, Metro do Porto/STCP. Therefore, research was made on the current system to determine what was already implemented, what type of investment would have to be made and what would be the cost-benefit relationship. The similarity between this system and others around the world, allows the findings of this project to be a reference for future implementations of touchless commuting around the globe.The field test's results make it possible to believe in a solution based on Bluetooth Low Energy, as long as the technology keeps improving, the developed solution is refined and the tests are continued in cooperation with transportation operators

Survey and Systematization of Secure Device Pairing

Secure Device Pairing (SDP) schemes have been developed to facilitate secure communications among smart devices, both personal mobile devices and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Comparison and assessment of SDP schemes is troublesome, because each scheme makes different assumptions about out-of-band channels and adversary models, and are driven by their particular use-cases. A conceptual model that facilitates meaningful comparison among SDP schemes is missing. We provide such a model. In this article, we survey and analyze a wide range of SDP schemes that are described in the literature, including a number that have been adopted as standards. A system model and consistent terminology for SDP schemes are built on the foundation of this survey, which are then used to classify existing SDP schemes into a taxonomy that, for the first time, enables their meaningful comparison and analysis.The existing SDP schemes are analyzed using this model, revealing common systemic security weaknesses among the surveyed SDP schemes that should become priority areas for future SDP research, such as improving the integration of privacy requirements into the design of SDP schemes. Our results allow SDP scheme designers to create schemes that are more easily comparable with one another, and to assist the prevention of persisting the weaknesses common to the current generation of SDP schemes.Comment: 34 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables, accepted at IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials 2017 (Volume: PP, Issue: 99

Game theory for dynamic spectrum sharing cognitive radio

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University on 21 June 2010.‘Game Theory’ is the formal study of conflict and cooperation. The theory is based on a set of tools that have been developed in order to assist with the modelling and analysis of individual, independent decision makers. These actions potentially affect any decisions, which are made by other competitors. Therefore, it is well suited and capable of addressing the various issues linked to wireless communications. This work presents a Green Game-Based Hybrid Vertical Handover Model. The model is used for heterogeneous wireless networks, which combines both dynamic (Received Signal Strength and Node Mobility) and static (Cost, Power Consumption and Bandwidth) factors. These factors control the handover decision process; whereby the mechanism successfully eliminates any unnecessary handovers, reduces delay and overall number of handovers to 50% less and 70% less dropped packets and saves 50% more energy in comparison to other mechanisms. A novel Game-Based Multi-Interface Fast-Handover MIPv6 protocol is introduced in this thesis as an extension to the Multi-Interface Fast-handover MIPv6 protocol. The protocol works when the mobile node has more than one wireless interface. The protocol controls the handover decision process by deciding whether a handover is necessary and helps the node to choose the right access point at the right time. In addition, the protocol switches the mobile nodes interfaces ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ when needed to control the mobile node’s energy consumption and eliminate power lost of adding another interface. The protocol successfully reduces the number of handovers to 70%, 90% less dropped packets, 40% more received packets and acknowledgments and 85% less end-to-end delay in comparison to other Protocols. Furthermore, the thesis adapts a novel combination of both game and auction theory in dynamic resource allocation and price-power-based routing in wireless Ad-Hoc networks. Under auction schemes, destinations nodes bid the information data to access to the data stored in the server node. The server will allocate the data to the winner who values it most. Once the data has been allocated to the winner, another mechanism for dynamic routing is adopted. The routing mechanism is based on the source-destination cooperation, power consumption and source-compensation to the intermediate nodes. The mechanism dramatically increases the seller’s revenue to 50% more when compared to random allocation scheme and briefly evaluates the reliability of predefined route with respect to data prices, source and destination cooperation for different network settings. Last but not least, this thesis adjusts an adaptive competitive second-price pay-to-bid sealed auction game and a reputation-based game. This solves the fairness problems associated with spectrum sharing amongst one primary user and a large number of secondary users in a cognitive radio environment. The proposed games create a competition between the bidders and offers better revenue to the players in terms of fairness to more than 60% in certain scenarios. The proposed game could reach the maximum total profit for both primary and secondary users with better fairness; this is illustrated through numerical results