Signal generation and storage in FRET-based nanocommunications

The paper is concerned with Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) considered as a mechanism for communication between nanodevices. Two solved issues are reported in the paper, namely: signal generation and signal storage in FRET-based nanonetworks. First, luciferase molecules as FRET transmitters which are able to generate FRET signals themselves, taking energy from chemical reactions without any external light exposure, are proposed. Second, channelrhodopsins as FRET receivers, as they can convert FRET signals into voltage, are suggested. Further, medical in-body systems where both molecule types might be successfully applied, are discussed. Luciferase-channelrhodopsin communication is modeled and its performance is numerically validated, reporting on its throughput, bit error rate, propagation delay and energy consumption

Indoor wireless communications and applications

Chapter 3 addresses challenges in radio link and system design in indoor scenarios. Given the fact that most human activities take place in indoor environments, the need for supporting ubiquitous indoor data connectivity and location/tracking service becomes even more important than in the previous decades. Specific technical challenges addressed in this section are(i), modelling complex indoor radio channels for effective antenna deployment, (ii), potential of millimeter-wave (mm-wave) radios for supporting higher data rates, and (iii), feasible indoor localisation and tracking techniques, which are summarised in three dedicated sections of this chapter

Wireless Sensor Network Deployment for Monitoring Wildlife Passages

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are being deployed in very diverse application scenarios, including rural and forest environments. In these particular contexts, specimen protection and conservation is a challenge, especially in natural reserves, dangerous locations or hot spots of these reserves (i.e., roads, railways, and other civil infrastructures). This paper proposes and studies a WSN based system for generic target (animal) tracking in the surrounding area of wildlife passages built to establish safe ways for animals to cross transportation infrastructures. In addition, it allows target identification through the use of video sensors connected to strategically deployed nodes. This deployment is designed on the basis of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, but it increases the lifetime of the nodes through an appropriate scheduling. The system has been evaluated for the particular scenario of wildlife monitoring in passages across roads. For this purpose, different schemes have been simulated in order to find the most appropriate network operational parameters. Moreover, a novel prototype, provided with motion detector sensors, has also been developed and its design feasibility demonstrated. Original software modules providing new functionalities have been implemented and included in this prototype. Finally, main performance evaluation results of the whole system are presented and discussed in depth

Routing in FRET-based nanonetworks

Nanocommunications, understood as communications between nanoscale devices, is commonly regarded as a technology essential for cooperation of large groups of nanomachines and thus crucial for development of the whole area of nanotechnology. While solutions for point-to-point nanocommunications have been already proposed, larger networks cannot function properly without routing. In this article we focus on the nanocommunications via Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), which was found to be a technique with a very high signal propagation speed, and discuss how to route signals through nanonetworks. We introduce five new routing mechanisms, based on biological properties of specific molecules. We experimentally validate one of these mechanisms. Finally, we analyze open issues showing the technical challenges for signal transmission and routing in FRET-based nanocommunications