Software-Defined Mobile Backhaul for Future Train to Ground Communication Services

International audienceSoftware Defined Networking (SDN) has attracted tremendous interest in the telecommunication industry due to its ability to abstract, manage and dynamically re-configure end-to-end networks from a centralized controller. Though SDN is considered to be a suitable candidate for various use cases in mobile networks, none of the work so far has discussed its advantages and actual realization for Train-to-Wayside Communication System (TWC). In this paper, for the first time, the architecture and use cases of SDN controlled mobile backhauling framework for TWC is proposed. We discuss how our proposed architecture can efficiently handle mobility management and also provide dynamic quality-of-service (QoS) for different services on board. As a first step, a software prototype is developed using industrial standard OpenDayLight SDN controller to have our architecture evaluated. Since the automotive sector is being considered to be an important driver for 5G network, our SDN based mobile backhauling solution can be positioned in 5G where SDN plays an important role

Energy Efficient Protocol for Lifetime Prediction of Wireless Sensor Network using Multivariate Polynomial Regression Model

The sensor network performs gathering, monitoring, and tracking of objects in the given area. The sensor nodes are normally distributed randomly in the network area for collecting the information. The major issues in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are coverage, energy, and limited resources. Sensor Nodes’ (SN) performance depends on so many parameters but normally depends on Residual Energy (RE) and Distance from the base station. The Cluster Head (CH) cooperatively communicates with Base Station (BS) via routing protocols. The proposed Energy Efficient Multilevel Region Based (EEMRB) protocol performs the task by partitioning the entire network area into multiple levels and sub-levels. The sub-levels are partitioned to perform clusters to communicate the sensor via CH (s) using single/multi-hop communication to BS. The proposed protocol is compared with the Stable Election Protocol and shows improvement in network lifetime. Based on the proposed protocol data set, a Multivariate Polynomial Regression (MPR) Model is proposed to predict network lifetime. The model uses packet size and node density as network design parameters. The simulation results show that the size of the packet and network area play a major role in network lifetime. Therefore, the lifetime of the predicted model and EEMRB protocol are close to each other. This prediction model is suitable for the prediction of any network area's lifetime

RSS Indoor Localization Based on a Single Access Point

This research work investigates how RSS information fusion from a single, multi-antenna access point (AP) can be used to perform device localization in indoor RSS based localization systems. The proposed approach demonstrates that different RSS values can be obtained by carefully modifying each AP antenna orientation and polarization, allowing the generation of unique, low correlation fingerprints, for the area of interest. Each AP antenna can be used to generate a set of fingerprint radiomaps for different antenna orientations and/or polarization. The RSS fingerprints generated from all antennas of the single AP can be then combined to create a multi-layer fingerprint radiomap. In order to select the optimum fingerprint layers in the multilayer radiomap the proposed methodology evaluates the obtained localization accuracy, for each fingerprint radio map combination, for various well-known deterministic and probabilistic algorithms (Weighted k-Nearest-Neighbor-WKNN and Minimum Mean Square Error-MMSE). The optimum candidate multi-layer radiomap is then examined by calculating the correlation level of each fingerprint pair by using the "Tolerance Based-Normal Probability Distribution (TBNPD)" algorithm. Both steps take place during the offline phase, and it is demonstrated that this approach results in selecting the optimum multi-layer fingerprint radiomap combination. The proposed approach can be used to provide localisation services in areas served only by a single AP

Fusing Bluetooth Beacon Data with Wi-Fi Radiomaps for Improved Indoor Localization

Indoor user localization and tracking are instrumental to a broad range of services and applications in the Internet of Things (IoT) and particularly in Body Sensor Networks (BSN) and Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) scenarios. Due to the widespread availability of IEEE 802.11, many localization platforms have been proposed, based on the Wi-Fi Received Signal Strength (RSS) indicator, using algorithms such as K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN), Maximum A Posteriori (MAP) and Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE). In this paper, we introduce a hybrid method that combines the simplicity (and low cost) of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and the popular 802.11 infrastructure, to improve the accuracy of indoor localization platforms. Building on KNN, we propose a new positioning algorithm (dubbed i-KNN) which is able to filter the initial fingerprint dataset (i.e., the radiomap), after considering the proximity of RSS fingerprints with respect to the BLE devices. In this way, i-KNN provides an optimised small subset of possible user locations, based on which it finally estimates the user position. The proposed methodology achieves fast positioning estimation due to the utilization of a fragment of the initial fingerprint dataset, while at the same time improves positioning accuracy by minimizing any calculation errors

Video streaming in urban vehicular environments: Junction-aware multipath approach

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. In multipath video streaming transmission, the selection of the best vehicle for video packet forwarding considering the junction area is a challenging task due to the several diversions in the junction area. The vehicles in the junction area change direction based on the different diversions, which lead to video packet drop. In the existing works, the explicit consideration of different positions in the junction areas has not been considered for forwarding vehicle selection. To address the aforementioned challenges, a Junction-Aware vehicle selection for Multipath Video Streaming (JA-MVS) scheme has been proposed. The JA-MVS scheme considers three different cases in the junction area including the vehicle after the junction, before the junction and inside the junction area, with an evaluation of the vehicle signal strength based on the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), which is based on the multipath data forwarding concept using greedy-based geographic routing. The performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated based on the Packet Loss Ratio (PLR), Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) and End-to-End Delay (E2ED) metrics. The JA-MVS is compared against two baseline schemes, Junction-Based Multipath Source Routing (JMSR) and the Adaptive Multipath geographic routing for Video Transmission (AMVT), in urban Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs)

UAV IoT frameworks views and challenges : towards protecting drones as "things"

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have enormous potential in enabling new applications in various areas, ranging from military, security, medicine, and surveillance to traffic-monitoring applications. Lately, there has been heavy investment in the development of UAVs and multi-UAVs systems that can collaborate and complete missions more efficiently and economically. Emerging technologies such as 4G/5G networks have significant potential on UAVs equipped with cameras, sensors, and GPS receivers in delivering Internet of Things (IoT) services from great heights, creating an airborne domain of the IoT. However, there are many issues to be resolved before the effective use of UAVs can be made, including security, privacy, and management. As such, in this paper we review new UAV application areas enabled by the IoT and 5G technologies, analyze the sensor requirements, and overview solutions for fleet management over aerial-networking, privacy, and security challenges. Finally, we propose a framework that supports and enables these technologies on UAVs. The introduced framework provisions a holistic IoT architecture that enables the protection of UAVs as "flying" things in a collaborative networked environment

A Survey of Short-Range Wireless Communication for Ultra-Low-Power Embedded Systems

Wireless short-range communication has become widespread in the modern era, partly due to the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technology. This technology is now utilized in various sectors, including lighting, medical, and industrial applications. This article aims to examine the historical, present, and forthcoming advancements in wireless short-range communication. Additionally, the review will analyze the modifications made to communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, RFID and NFC, in order to better accommodate modern applications. Batteryless technology, particularly batteryless NFC, is an emerging development in short-range wireless communication that combines power and data transmission into a single carrier. This modification will significantly influence the trajectory of short-range communication and its applications. The foundation of most low-power, short-range communication applications relies on an ultra-low-power microcontroller. Therefore, this study will encompass an analysis of ultra-low-power microcontrollers and an investigation into the potential limitations they might encounter in the future. In addition to offering a thorough examination of current Wireless short-range communication, this article will also attempt to forecast future patterns and identify possible obstacles that future research may address

Moving toward the intra-protocol de-ossification of TCP in mobile networks: Start-up and mobility

182 p.El uso de las redes móviles de banda ancha ha aumentado significativamente los últimos años y se espera un crecimiento aún mayor con la inclusión de las futuras capacidades 5G. 5G proporcionará unas velocidades de transmisión y reducidos retardos nunca antes vistos. Sin embargo, la posibilidad de alcanzar las mencionadas cuotas está limitada por la gestión y rendimiento de los protocolos de transporte. A este respecto, TCP sigue siendo el protocolo de transporte imperante y sus diferentes algoritmos de control de congestión (CCA) los responsables finales del rendimiento obtenido. Mientras que originalmente los distintos CCAs han sido implementados para hacer frente a diferentes casos de uso en redes fijas, ninguno de los CCAs ha sido diseñado para poder gestionar la variabilidad de throughput y retardos de diferentes condiciones de red redes móviles de una manera fácilmente implantable. Dado que el análisis de TCP sobre redes móviles es complejo debido a los múltiples factores de impacto, nuestro trabajo se centra en dos casos de uso generalizados que resultan significativos en cuanto a afección del rendimiento: movimiento de los usuarios como representación de la característica principal de las redes móviles frente a las redes fijas y el rendimiento de la fase de Start-up de TCP debido a la presencia mayoritaria de flujos cortos en Internet. Diferentes trabajos han sugerido la importancia de una mayor flexibilidad en la capa de transporte, creando servicios de transporte sobre TCP o UDP. Sin embargo, estas propuestas han encontrado limitaciones relativas a las dependencias arquitecturales de los protocolos utilizados como sustrato (p.ej. imposibilidad de cambiar la configuración de la capa de transporte una vez la transmisión a comenzado), experimentando una capa de transporte "osificada". Esta tesis surge como respuesta a fin de abordar la citada limitación y demostrando que existen posibilidades de mejora dentro de la familia de TCP (intra-protocolar), proponiendo un marco para solventar parcialmente la restricción a través de la selección dinámica del CCA más apropiado. Para ello, se evalúan y seleccionan los mayores puntos de impacto en el rendimiento de los casos de uso seleccionados en despliegues de red 4G y en despliegues de baja latencia que emulan las potenciales latencias en las futuras capacidades 5G. Estos puntos de impacto sirven como heurísticas para decidir el CCA más apropiado en el propuesto marco. Por último, se valida la propuesta en entornos de movilidad con dos posibilidades de selección: al comienzo de la transmisión (limitada flexibilidad de la capa de transporte) y dinámicamente durante la transmisión (con una capa de transporte flexible). Se concluye que la propuesta puede acarrear importantes mejoras de rendimiento al seleccionar el CCA más apropiado teniendo en cuenta la situación de red y los requerimientos de la capa de aplicación

H3N - Analysewerkzeuge für hybride Wegewahl in heterogenen, unterbrechungstoleranten Ad-Hoc-Netzen für Rettungskräfte

Rettungskräfte müssen unter widrigen Bedingungen zuverlässig kommunizieren können, um in Rettungseinsätzen effizient arbeiten zu können und somit Leben zu retten. Idealerweise ist dazu ein selbstorganisiertes Ad-Hoc-Netz notwendig, weil die Kommunikationsinfrastruktur ggf. beschädigt oder überlastet sein kann. Um die geforderte Robustheit der Kommunikation auch in Szenarien mit größeren zu überbrückenden Entfernungen zu gewährleisten, werden zusätzlich Mechanismen benötigt, die eine Unterbrechungstoleranz ermöglichen. Verzögerungstolerante Netze (engl. Delay Tolerant Networks, kurz: DTN) stellen solche Mechanismen bereit, erfordern aber zusätzliche Verzögerungen, die für Rettungskommunikation nachteilig sind. Deshalb werden intelligente hybride Wegewahlverfahren benötigt, um die Verzögerung durch DTN-Mechanismen zu begrenzen. Außerdem sollten entsprechende Verfahren heterogene Netze unterstützen. Das ermöglicht zusätzlich eine effizientere Weiterleitung durch die Nutzung von Geräten mit unterschiedlichen Kommunikationstechnologien und damit auch Reichweiten. Um solche Systeme und die dafür benötigten Kommunikationsprotokolle zu entwickeln, werden verschiedene Analysewerkzeuge genutzt. Dazu gehören analytische Modelle, Simulationen und Experimente auf der Zielsystemhardware. Für jede Kategorie gibt es verschiedene Werkzeuge und Frameworks, die sich auf unterschiedliche Aspekte fokussieren. Dadurch unterstützen diese herkömmlichen Analysemethoden jedoch meistens nur einen der oben genannten Punkte, während die Untersuchung von hybriden und/oder heterogenen Ansätzen und Szenarien nicht ohne weiteres möglich ist. Im Falle von Rettungskräften kommt hinzu, dass die charakteristischen Merkmale hinsichtlich der Bewegung der Knoten und des erzeugten Datenverkehrs während eines Einsatzes ebenfalls nicht modelliert werden können. In dieser Arbeit werden deshalb verschiedene Erweiterungen zu existierenden Analysewerkzeugen sowie neue Werkzeuge zur Analyse und Modelle zur Nachbildung realistischer Rettungsmissionen untersucht und entwickelt. Ziel ist es, die Vorteile existierender Werkzeuge miteinander zu kombinieren, um ganzheitliche, realitätsnahe Untersuchungen von hybriden Protokollen für heterogene Netze zu ermöglichen. Die Kombination erfolgt in Form von gezielten Erweiterungen und der Entwicklung ergänzender komplementärer Werkzeuge unter Verwendung existierender Schnittstellen. Erste Ergebnisse unter Verwendung der entwickelten Werkzeuge zeigen Verbesserungspotentiale bei der Verwendung traditioneller Protokolle und erlauben die Bewertung zusätzlicher Maßnahmen, um die Kommunikation zu verbessern. Szenarien zur Kommunikation von Rettungskräften werden dabei als ein Beispiel verwendet, die Tools sind jedoch nicht auf die Analyse dieses Anwendungsfalls beschränkt. Über die reine Analyse verschiedener existierender Ansätze hinaus bildet die entwickelte Evaluationsumgebung eine Grundlage für die Entwicklung und Verifikation von neuartigen hybriden Protokollen für die entsprechenden Systeme.Communication between participating first responders is essential for efficient coordination of rescue missions and thus allowing to save human lives. Ideally, ad hoc-style communication networks are applied to this as the first responders cannot rely on infrastructure-based communication for two reasons. First, the infrastructure could be damaged by the disastrous event or not be available for economic reasons. Second, even if public infrastructure is available and functional, it might be overloaded by users. To guarantee the robustness and reliability requirements of first responders, the Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) have to be combined with an approach to mitigate intermittent connectivity due to otherwise limited connectivity. Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) provide such a functionality but introduce additional delay which is problematic. Therefore, intelligent hybrid routing approaches are required to limit the delay introduced by DTN mechanisms. Besides that, the approach should be applicable to heterogeneous networks in terms of communication technologies and device capabilities. This is required for cross multi-agency and volunteer communication but also enables the opportunistic exploitation of any given communication option. To evaluate such systems and develop the corresponding communication protocols, various tools for the analysis are available. This includes analytical models, simulations and real-world experiments on target hardware. In each category a wide set of tools is available already. However, each tool is focused on specific aspects usually and thus does not provide methods to analyze hybrid approaches out of the box. Even if the tools are modular and allow an extension, there are often other tools that are better suited for partial aspects of hybrid systems. In addition to this, few tools exist to model the characteristics of first responder networks. Especially the generalized movement during missions and the generated data traffic are difficult to model and integrate into analyses. The focus of this project is therefore to develop selected extensions to existing analysis and simulation tools as well as additional tools and models to realistically capture the characteristics of first responder networks. The goal is to combine the advantages of existing specialized simulation tools to enable thorough evaluations of hybrid protocols for heterogeneous networks based on realistic assumptions. To achieve this, the tools are extended by specifically designing tools that enable the interaction between tools and new tools that complement the existing analysis capabilities. First results obtained via the resulting toolbox clearly indicate further research directions as well as a potential for protocol enhancements. Besides that, the toolbox was used to evaluate various methods to enhance the connectivity between nodes in first responder networks. First responder scenarios are used as an example here. The toolbox itself is however not limited to this use case. In addition to the analysis of existing approaches for hybrid and heterogeneous networks, the developed toolbox provides a base framework for the development and verification of newly developed protocols for such use cases