Conventional Communication Technologies Research Articles

Chaotic-based Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing with Index Modulation

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with index modulation (OFDM-IM), stands out among conventional communication technologies, as it uses the indices of the available transmit entities. Thanks to such an approach, it offers a novel method for the transmission of extra data bits. Recent years have seen a great interest in chaos-based communications. The spectrum-spreading signals used in chaotic signal modulation technologies are orthogonal to the existing mixed signals. This paper presents how well a non-coherent differential chaos shift keying communication system performs across an AWGN. Different types of detection methods are simulated, bit error rate and power spectral density are calculated and then compared with standard OFDM with index modulation. The results of simulations concerning the performance of a DCSK system, adding to the security of the proposed solution and offering a comparable bit error rate performance, are presented in the paper as well.

Semantic Modeling of a VLC-Enabled Task Automation Platform for Smart Offices

The evolution of ambient intelligence has introduced a range of new opportunities to improve people’s well-being. One of these opportunities is the use of these technologies to enhance workplaces and improve employees’ comfort and productivity. However, these technologies often entail two major challenges: the requirement for fast and reliable data transmission between the vast number of devices connected simultaneously, and the interoperability between these devices. Conventional communication technologies present some drawbacks in these kinds of systems, such as lower data rates and electromagnetic interference, which have prompted research into new wireless communication technologies. One of these technologies is visible light communication (VLC), which uses existing light in an environment to transmit data. Its characteristics make it an up-and-coming technology for IoT services but also aggravate the interoperability challenge. To facilitate the continuous communication of the enormous amount of heterogeneous data generated, highly agile data models are required. The semantic approach tackles this problem by switching from ad hoc application-centric representation models and formats to a formal definition of concepts and relationships. This paper aims to advance the state of the art by proposing a semantic vocabulary for an intelligent automation platform with VLC enabled, which benefits from the advantages of VLC while ensuring the scalability and interoperability of all system components. Thus, the main contributions of this work are threefold: (i) the design and definition of a semantic model for an automation platform; (ii) the development of a prototype automation platform based on a VLC-based communication system; and (iii) the integration and validation of the proposed semantic model in the VLC-based automation platform.

Power Grid Surveillance and Control Based on Wireless Sensor Network Technologies: Review and Future Directions

In this paper, the concept of the smart grid and the emerging challenges of wireless communication technology for use on the smart grid (SG)is reviewed. One modern-day technology of great significance is wireless sensor networks (WSNs), which has the potential to ensure the smooth operation of smart grid management and increase its energy efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness. The advanced electric power grid infrastructure known as smart grid takes advantage of automated control and cutting-edge communication strategies to achieve greater efficiency, reliability and safety, whilst seamlessly combining renewable and alternative sources of energy. Unlike conventional communication technologies, WSNs are more beneficial to modern electric power systems because they are affordable and operate on a cooperative basis. For this reason, WSNs are considered to have good potential for improving the way electric power is produced, distributed and used. Therefore, they are a key element of the smart grid. Nevertheless, the implementation of WSNs in smart grid settings may be inadequately reliable due to the complexity and unfavourable aspects of electric power system environments. The purpose of the current work is to review WSN uses in electric power systems and the opportunities and difficulties offered by this technology, as well as to delineate possible facets of smart grid applications and wireless technologies that future research could explore. Therefore, this work is significant.

The use of conventional communication technology as an effective principal leadership strategy in strengthening the role of multi-stakeholder’s forum for school quality improvement

This study aims to describe the use of conventional communication technology as an effective leadership strategy carried out by principals at One Roof School in remote areas in accordance with the problems encountered and the local wisdom that developed in the area. The study was conducted qualitatively with a multi-site approach. Data was obtained through principals, teachers, supervisors, community leaders, education offices. All information was tested for credibility and validity in triangulation through various Forum Group Discussion. The results obtained include: 1) there are two dominant problems in remote schools, namely historical, cultural, and demographic; 2) the success of the principal is influenced by the expertise of the principal in utilizing conventional communication technology in the form of direct face-to-face communication; 3) the use of face-to-face conventional communication technology as a leadership strategy applied by principals can increase the role of multistakeholders in achieving school quality.

A Concept Paper on Smart River Monitoring System for Sustainability in River

River is a major source of water in Malaysia and one of the major threats to its sustainability is pollution. The existing methods for monitoring of water quality in rivers are manual monitoring and continuous monitoring. These methods are costly and less efficient. Hence, we propose a smart river monitoring system (SRMS) that uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones and low power wide area (LPWA) communication technology. The Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytic are promising techniques which provide real-time monitoring and enhances efficiency. However, due to the span of river that needs to be monitored, conventional communication technology such as Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth are not suitable. Hence, there is the need for LPWA communication technology. We discuss the application of LPWA and UAV for sustainability of rivers in Malaysia as a case study. Preliminary results show that the use of UAV will increase the efficiency of measuring the water quality parameters compared to manual monitoring method. Also, real-time monitoring enables us to study the changes in water quality. Finally, we provide future direction in the application of UAV and LPWA for sustainability in river.

Energy conservation and harvesting for green communications [Guest editorial

Conventional communication technologies are targeted mainly at spectrum efficiency, but not energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Recent efforts from both industry and academia have dedicated to reduce the energy consumption and carbon emissions of the information and communication technologies (ICTs). There are two ways to achieve this goal: one is to conserve energy through energy-aware operation optimizations, and the other is to harvest renewable energy from ambient energy resources, such as solar, wind, etc., to power communication nodes. However, both ways are facing challenges. For instance, energy conservation in most cases has to sacrifice the quality of service (QoS), and one must balance the energy efficiency and QoS requirements to achieve a good tradeoff between them. For energy harvesting, the randomness of energy generation hinders reliable communications, and limited battery capacity together with imperfect battery technology causes extra problems. In addition, spatial-temporal mismatch of energy arrivals and traffic demands should be addressed with innovative node placement and resource management schemes.

Simulation of the S-Band Photon Vorticity Modulation Scheme

Electromagnetic (EM) vorticity modulation is a multi-carrier scheme that offers an enhanced spectral efficiency among the several conventional communication technologies. A mathematical model of the beam-front, carrying different orbital angular momentum (OAM) states, in the S-Band region of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum has been presented using the Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beam, to describe the effect of RF vorticity and OAM modulation. Results from EM simulations are used to verify the orthogonality of OAM states and thereby highlighting its application in a multi-user environment. Two designs of antenna reflectors are being proposed to generate the orthogonal OAM states (l=1 and 2). The existence of the OAM states is visualized from the distribution of the current densities and magnetic fields over the aperture area of the reflectors.