Keynote I: Sensing and Identification in the Internet of Things Era

Abstract

Abstract The concept of Internet of Things (IoT) is opening new horizons in systems intelligence, where physical objects (embedded with sensory, identification and networking capabilities) can interact with other objects through the global infrastructure of wireless/wired Internet. These systems can be monitored and controlled by filtering and processing collected data. Such intelligent design will naturally result in efficient and cost effective systems. Several architectures are being built to implement IoT from two different perspectives. The first, also known as sensor-oriented, is based on large-scale sensors deployment targeting the collection of accurate sensory data. Such huge sensory data are analyzed through cloud computing to deliver intelligent responses. The second architecture, also known as service-oriented, targets the association of unique identifiers with specific services. In such architecture, the service (or the appropriate response) is invoked upon receiving the unique identifier from a specific ID collecting node considering the context in which it was collected. Unique identification technologies (dominated by RFID) and low power Nano-scale sensors are the main enablers of IoT realization through the uniqueness of ID, small size, sensing, storage and processing capabilities. However, energy management, mobility and scale remain as major challenges toward ubiquitous adaptation of such technologies. As well, the realization of IoT necessitates overcoming several interrelated technical and social challenges in IoT systems architecture, modeling and design. This talk will highlight the main characteristics of IoT, the opportunities it creates and main challenges it faces. The talk will cover some of the activities at the Telecommunication Research lab at Queen's University towards the realization of IoT.