Agricultural traceability model based on IoT and Blockchain: Application in industrial hemp production

Facilities based on the Internet of Things and embedded systems along with the application of ambient intelligence paradigms offer new scenarios for optimization services in agronomic processes, specifically in the hemp industry. The traceability of products and activities demonstrates the scope of these technologies. However, the technologies themselves introduce integration-related problems that can affect the planned benefits. This article proposes a model that balances agricultural expert knowledge (user-centered design), value chain planning (through blockchain implementation), and digital technology (Internet of Things protocols) for providing tamper proof, transparent, and secure traceability in this agricultural sector. The proposed approach is backed by a proof-of-concept implementation in a realist scenario, using embedded devices and a permissioned blockchain. The model and its deployment fully integrate a set of services that other proposals only partially integrate. On one hand, the design creates a permissioned blockchain that contemplates the different actors in the value chain, and on the other hand, it develops services that use applications with human-machine interfaces. Finally, it deploys a network of embedded devices with Internet of Things protocols and control algorithms with automated access to the blockchain for traceability services. Combining digital systems with interoperable human tasks it has been possible to deploy a model that provides a new approach for the development of value-added services

Entornos para prácticas de control y comunicaciones en asignaturas de informática industrial y domótica

En este artículo se presentan entornos para prácticas docentes en asignaturas relacionadas con las comunicaciones y el control en contextos industriales y domésticos. Estos entornos representan situaciones comunes en la sociedad de la información, donde el acceso a los servicios será posible desde cualquier lugar y en cualquier momento. Con estos requerimientos se diseña la arquitectura del sistema siendo conscientes de las necesidades didácticas y económicas de las prácticas de laboratorio. A partir de este diseño general se instancian dos paneles: industrial y domótico. Las conclusiones que se han extraído de la experiencia en las aulas están motivando el desarrollo de nuevos entornos

Deployment of IoT Edge and Fog Computing Technologies to Develop Smart Building Services

Advances in embedded systems, based on System-on-a-Chip (SoC) architectures, have enabled the development of many commercial devices that are powerful enough to run operating systems and complex algorithms. These devices integrate a set of different sensors with connectivity, computing capacities and cost reduction. In this context, the Internet of Things (IoT) potential increases and introduces other development possibilities: “Things” can now increase computation near the source of the data; consequently, different IoT services can be deployed on local systems. This paradigm is known as “edge computing” and it integrates IoT technologies and cloud computing systems. Edge computing reduces the communications’ bandwidth needed between sensors and the central data centre. Management of sensors, actuators, embedded devices and other resources that may not be continuously connected to a network (such as smartphones) are required for this method. This trend is very attractive for smart building designs, where different subsystems (energy, climate control, security, comfort, user services, maintenance, and operating costs) must be integrated to develop intelligent facilities. In this work, a method to design smart services based on the edge computing paradigm is analysed and proposed. This novel approach overcomes some drawbacks of existing designs related to interoperability and scalability of services. An experimental architecture based on embedded devices is described. Energy management, security system, climate control and information services are the subsystems on which new smart facilities are implemented.This research was supported by the Industrial Computers and Computer Networks programme (I2RC) (2017/2018) funded by the University of Alicante, Wak9 Holding BV company under the eo-TICC project, the Valencian Innovation Agency under scientific innovation unit (UCIE Ars Innovatio) of the University of Alicante and by the Spanish Research Agency (AEI) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the project CloudDriver4Industry TIN2017-89266-R

Electromagnetic Differential Measuring Method: Application in Microstrip Sensors Developing

Electromagnetic radiation is energy that interacts with matter. The interaction process is of great importance to the sensing applications that characterize material media. Parameters like constant dielectric represent matter characteristics and they are identified using emission, interaction and reception of electromagnetic radiation in adapted environmental conditions. How the electromagnetic wave responds when it interacts with the material media depends on the range of frequency used and the medium parameters. Different disciplines use this interaction and provides non-intrusive applications with clear benefits, remote sensing, earth sciences (geology, atmosphere, hydrosphere), biological or medical disciplines use this interaction and provides non-intrusive applications with clear benefits. Electromagnetic waves are transmitted and analyzed in the receiver to determine the interaction produced. In this work a method based in differential measurement technique is proposed as a novel way of detecting and characterizing electromagnetic matter characteristics using sensors based on a microstrip patch. The experimental results, based on simulations, show that it is possible to obtain benefits from the behavior of the wave-medium interaction using differential measurement on reception of electromagnetic waves at different frequencies or environmental conditions. Differential method introduce advantages in measure processes and promote new sensors development. A new microstrip sensor that uses differential time measures is proposed to show the possibilities of this method.This work is partially supported by the University of Alicante (Spain)

La asignatura Adquisición y Acondicionamiento de la Señal en la Universidad de Alicante

En el presente artículo se presenta una propuesta para la asignatura optativa de la titulación de Ingeniería Informática Adquisición y Acondicionamiento de la Señal. Se describen los objetivos, contenidos y evaluación de esta asignatura y, dado que se trata de una asignatura de marcado carácter práctico, se incide en la propuesta de trabajos que deben ser llevados a cabo por los alumnos

Developing Ubiquitous Sensor Network Platform Using Internet of Things: Application in Precision Agriculture

The application of Information Technologies into Precision Agriculture methods has clear benefits. Precision Agriculture optimises production efficiency, increases quality, minimises environmental impact and reduces the use of resources (energy, water); however, there are different barriers that have delayed its wide development. Some of these main barriers are expensive equipment, the difficulty to operate and maintain and the standard for sensor networks are still under development. Nowadays, new technological development in embedded devices (hardware and communication protocols), the evolution of Internet technologies (Internet of Things) and ubiquitous computing (Ubiquitous Sensor Networks) allow developing less expensive systems, easier to control, install and maintain, using standard protocols with low-power consumption. This work develops and test a low-cost sensor/actuator network platform, based in Internet of Things, integrating machine-to-machine and human-machine-interface protocols. Edge computing uses this multi-protocol approach to develop control processes on Precision Agriculture scenarios. A greenhouse with hydroponic crop production was developed and tested using Ubiquitous Sensor Network monitoring and edge control on Internet of Things paradigm. The experimental results showed that the Internet technologies and Smart Object Communication Patterns can be combined to encourage development of Precision Agriculture. They demonstrated added benefits (cost, energy, smart developing, acceptance by agricultural specialists) when a project is launched.This research was supported by Industrial Computers and Computer Networks program (I2RC) (2015/2016) funded by the University of Alicante

Propuesta para la Asignatura Sistemas Industriales en las Titulaciones de Informática

Uno de los principales objetivos para el docente en la enseñanza de las asignaturas relacionadas con la Informática Industrial es el de asegurar que los titulados estén preparados para afrontar retos competitivos dentro del sector industrial. Con el fin de llevar a cabo tal objetivo, en este artículo consideramos una propuesta para la asignatura optativa de la titulación de Ingeniería Informática Sistemas Industriales. Se detallan sus objetivos, contenidos y evaluación, describiendo con mayor profundidad la propuesta de trabajos que deben desarrollar los alumnos

Plataforma IoT basada en paneles de monitorización (Dashboard)

La plataforma IoT es un sistema de captura y tratamiento de datos que utiliza sistemas embebidos y protocolos de comunicación IoT basados en el paradigma de inteligencia ambiental (AmI) que permite desarrollar sistemas de monitorización en paneles (dashboards) que permiten realizar funciones de análisis y control de eventos para la gestión de infraestructuras. Este sistema permite monitorizar desde ambientes industriales hasta entornos donde se requiere la sensorización de personas

Precision Agriculture Design Method Using a Distributed Computing Architecture on Internet of Things Context

The Internet of Things (IoT) has opened productive ways to cultivate soil with the use of low-cost hardware (sensors/actuators) and communication (Internet) technologies. Remote equipment and crop monitoring, predictive analytic, weather forecasting for crops or smart logistics and warehousing are some examples of these new opportunities. Nevertheless, farmers are agriculture experts but, usually, do not have experience in IoT applications. Users who use IoT applications must participate in its design, improving the integration and use. In this work, different industrial agricultural facilities are analysed with farmers and growers to design new functionalities based on IoT paradigms deployment. User-centred design model is used to obtain knowledge and experience in the process of introducing technology in agricultural applications. Internet of things paradigms are used as resources to facilitate the decision making. IoT architecture, operating rules and smart processes are implemented using a distributed model based on edge and fog computing paradigms. A communication architecture is proposed using these technologies. The aim is to help farmers to develop smart systems both, in current and new facilities. Different decision trees to automate the installation, designed by the farmer, can be easily deployed using the method proposed in this document.This research was supported by Industrial Computers and Computer Networks program (I2RC) (2016/2017) funded by the University of Alicante

Smart Environments Design on Industrial Automated Greenhouses

Greenhouse automation carried out with monitoring and control technologies optimizes the cultivation processes in industrial scenarios. In recent years, new trends and technologies have emerged in the agricultural sector. The application of Information and Communication Technologies has clear benefits. Embedded hardware systems development, new communication protocols over the Internet and applied Artificial Intelligence paradigms have increased the services’ capabilities. These technologies can be installed both in new facilities and in facilities that are already functioning. This paper analyses the integration of these paradigms into automated greenhouses. An integration model is proposed and developed in the plant experimental unit installed at the University of Alicante. This unit already has an automated system that controls air conditioning, soil conditions, and irrigation, but these control subsystems are not integrated. In this work, new processing nodes with integrated data are designed to develop new detection, prediction and optimization services. These services increase the performance of the installation and create smart environments in agricultural production.This research was funded by the Industrial Computers and Computer Networks program (Informatica Industrial y redes de Computadores I2RC) (2018/2019) funded by the University of Alicante, Wak9 Holding BV company under the eo-TICC project, and the Valencian Innovation Agency under scientific innovation unit (UCIE Ars Innovatio) of the University of Alicante at https://web.ua.es/es/ars-innovatio/unidad-cientifica-deinnovacion-ars-innovatio.html