Low-cost Wireless Network Research Articles

Building Flexible, Low-Cost Wireless Access Networks with Magma

Good Internet connectivity has become a basic necessity all over the world. Although more than one-third of the global population does not have access to the Internet [46], commercial network operators claim that today's Internet has reached the user footprint that seems commercially viable to serve [22]. Reaching these users requires reducing the cost of providing Internet access to enable actors beyond traditional, large-scale commercial operators to build sustainable, scalable network infrastructure. Operators need effective ways to reduce costs through less expensive equipment and software and less reliance on highly skilled network administrators. At the same time, providers need ways to manage their limited network resources effectively to enable sustainable network operation - typical network policies in today's commercial networks would be "rate limit customer C to X Mbps until they have sent Y GB in interval t1, then limit to Z Mbps for interval t2."

Development of smart energy monitoring using NB-IOT and cloud

IoT-based applications are growing in popularity nowadays because they offer effective answers to numerous current problems. In this research, With the aim of decreasing human efforts for monitoring the power units and increasing users' knowledge of excessive electricity usage, an IoT-based electric metre surveillance system utilising an Android platform has been developed. With the help of an Arduino Uno and an optical sensor, the electric analyser pulse is captured. To reduce human mistake and the expense of energy usage, a low-cost wireless network of sensors for digital energy metres is implemented alongside a smartphone application that can autonomously read the metre of the unit. In this research, an intelligent power monitoring system with effective communication modules has been developed to make wise use of the electricity. The controller, NB-IoT connection module, and cloud are the three main components of an IOT-based smart energy metre system. The controller is essential for maintaining the functionality of each component. This solution reduces the need for human involvement in electricity maintenance by connecting energy metres to the cloud using an NB-IoT communication module. The IoT-based metre reading system in the proposed work is created to monitor and analyse the metre reading, and the service provider can cut off the source of electricity whenever the customer fails to pay the monthly bill. It also eliminates the need for human intervention, provides accurate metre reading, and guards against billing errors. The proposed SPM improves the overall accuracy ranges of 7.42, 27.83, and 20% better than DR, OREM, and SLN respectively.

Towards an IoT and Blockchain-based System for Monitoring and Tracking Agricultural Products

This paper presents the design and implementation of a monitoring and data collection system for agricultural product preservation during transportation to meet authenticity and traceability requirements. The system is built and performed using blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to use and integrate their benefits. This system comprises a private blockchain network built on the Ethereum platform and powered by the GoQuorum protocol, which enables distributed data exchange among members using a common protocol and cryptographic techniques while ensuring the transparency and integrity of the information. A wireless sensor network has been designed and implemented for collecting data from sensors about the storage environment of agricultural products. This study also proposes using LoRa technology to build low-cost wireless communication networks with broad coverage for data collection from sensor nodes mounted to agricultural products. Furthermore, the integrated online map web assists in real-time monitoring and tracing of information on the process of transporting agricultural products, as well as querying data for completed contracts. Experiments were conducted close to the reality of the application’s desire to deploy the system to calibrate and evaluate the functioning, with promising results.

Empirical mapping for evaluating an LPWAN (LoRa) wireless network sensor prior to installation in a vineyard

The main aim of this study was to use Empirical mapping to test the efficiency of local low cost wireless network sensors (LPWAN - Low-Power Wide Area Network) before being applied in real wine-growing conditions. The second aim was to obtain information on the communication distances to be expected from a LPWAN, taking into account the specific needs and real conditions of a vineyard. A hand-held autonomous end-device was specifically built to simulate short messages sent by sensors via a locally designed LPWAN. This device was used to test the quality of the network from different locations within an entire vineyard and also inside the cellar. Two parameters were used to test the quality of reception of the messages: i) The Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), which is the received signal power measured in decibels (dB or dBm), and ii) the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), which is the ratio of the received signal power to the ambient noise power. Maps of signal reception and errors between the observed and the theoretical signal highlighted how vineyard environment (e.g., hedges, topography, and buildings) affects the signal. The results show that the maximum communication distance differed considerably from distances published in the literature. In the open field, the signal, although attenuated by the distance, was received up to 600 meters away, or even more in favourable conditions. Meanwhile, in urban areas the signal was attenuated by buildings and the electro-magnetic environment and therefore communication distances were very short (< 50 m). Empirical mapping has great potential for determining how the local environment affects signal quality and as a decision support tool for identifying the optimal location for the sensors and gateway. With a single well-positioned gateway, such low cost wireless sensor networks (LPWAN-LoRa) could be used by small to medium-sized vineyards to collect information from sensors either outside in the fields or indoors in the vineyard cellar. This paper proposes a very cheap method (< 40 €) for testing and spatialising the quality of a low cost wireless sensor network before its implementation, and it also provides information on zones with low quality reception.

Adaptive live video streaming on low-cost wireless multihop networks for road traffic surveillance in smart cities

Traffic surveillance is an important issue for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) that helps detect incidents automatically, such as wrong-way drivers, still-standing vehicles and jams. Sometimes these systems require a fast and short-term deployment of video cameras. In these cases, ad-hoc networks could be a low-cost and feasible option, but they have poor performance for video delivery. Thus, we propose a smart live video adaptive streaming technique in order to transport video streams from the cameras to the external road traffic monitoring servers. To achieve this goal, these networks need a thorough study in order to analyze video quality under their inherent constraints, given by their specific topologies (once deployed), video streaming protocol, nodes’ performance and routing protocols. From our results both in simulated and real scenarios, we demonstrate the feasibility of our proposal in these specific scenarios, validated with several performance metrics in terms of Quality of Service and video quality.

Design and Implementation of Cost-Effective IoT Energy Meter to Monitor Energy Flow in Smart Grids

This paper presents a device that uses the evolving IoT technology to design and implement an internet-based energy meter. This meters, being cheap and easy-to-implement solution, enables consumers to monitor the daily usage of electric power easily. This work primarily concerns the energy-monitoring aspect of IoT, along with discussing other advantages of this meter, such as its ability to overcome human errors and reducing dependency on manual labor, besides reducing costs in energy consumption. The proposed design in case 1,and case2 which are comprises a low-cost wireless network for smart energy along with an android application capable of automatically reading the unit and then sending the data automatically provides great advantages to users by allowing them to keep a track of their meter reading. This system will help users by allowing them to not only take steps to reduce power wastage but also bring down costs of consumption, along with minimizing the threat of power theft, which is incurs great losses to power companies. Experimental results of this study show that the proposed IoT meter works efficiently and has proven its potential in practical applications at substantially reduced costs.

A High-Resolution Open Source Platform for Building Envelope Thermal Performance Assessment Using a Wireless Sensor Network.

This paper presents an in-situ wireless sensor network (WSN) for building envelope thermal transmission analysis. The WSN is able to track heat flows in various weather conditions in real-time. The developed system focuses on long-term in-situ building material variation analysis, which cannot be readily achieved using current approaches, especially when the number of measurement hotspots is large. This paper describes the implementation of the proposed system using the heat flow method enabled through an adaptable and low-cost wireless network, validated via a laboratory experiment.

An Internet of Things (IoT) Application on Volcano Monitoring.

In the last few years, there has been a huge interest in the Internet of Things (hereinafter IoT) field. Among the large number of IoT technologies, the low-power wide-area network (hereinafter LPWAN) has emerged providing low power, low data-rate communication over long distances, enabling battery-operated devices to operate for long time periods. This paper introduces an application of long-range (hereinafter LoRa) technology, one of the most popular LPWANs, to volcanic surveillance. The first low-power and low-cost wireless network based on LoRa to monitor the soil temperature in thermal anomaly zones in volcanic areas has been developed. A total of eight thermometers (end devices) have been deployed on a Teide volcano in Tenerife (Canary Islands). In addition, a repeater device was developed to extend the network range when the gateway did not have a line of sight connection with the thermometers. Combining LoRa communication capabilities with microchip microcontrollers (end devices and repeater) and a Raspberry Pi board (gateway), three main milestones have been achieved: (i) extreme low-power consumption, (ii) real-time and proper temperature acquisition, and (iii) a reliable network operation. The first results are shown. These results provide enough quality for a proper volcanic surveillance.

One-Bit Recursive Least-Squares Algorithm With Application to Distributed Target Localization

Adaptation and learning over low-cost wireless networks, meanwhile keeping an acceptable performance, are well motivated. This paper focuses on online parameter estimation over binary networks, which consist of noisy low-resolution sensors, each only giving coarsely one-bit quantized output observations and transmitting them to a fusion center. We develop a class of recursive least-squares (RLS) algorithms based on an expectation–maximization framework, which realizes adaptive parameter estimation from one-bit observations of the noisy output stream. The developed algorithms are, respectively, derived with and without prior knowledge of the noise variances, and their performances are theoretically and experimentally evaluated. Moreover, it is shown that, although the information contained in the one-bit observations is very limited, the proposed algorithms are comparable to the classical RLS algorithm using the original (nonquantized) observations. In addition, as a practical application, the proposed algorithm combined with array signal processing techniques is applied to bearing-only target localization over wireless sensor array networks, and its effectiveness is verified through simulation experiments.

Solar powered smart irrigation system based on low cost wireless network: A senior design project experience

This paper presents the design and the implementation of a smart irrigation system supplied from solar energy using off-shelf components as part of a senior design project. Introducing smart irrigation technology enhances the effectiveness of water utilization and will help farmers make their activities more beneficial. In addition, it is to increase the agriculture sustainability in common and considering the characteristics of irrigation in the rural areas. This paper brings forward new device based on wireless networks such as solar photovoltaic technology, Arduino-based controllers, transmitters, receivers, and sensor nodes are used to measure soil moisture, humidity, temperature, and the sensor readings are transmitted to a remote station. Experimental results indicated that the developed system could provide a sustainable solution to enhance the efficiency of water use and to preserve it in the agricultural fields while using solar photovoltaic energy as a renewable power supply.

Design and Implementation of IoT Energy Meter to Monitor Energy Flow at the Consumer End

This paper presents a device that uses the evolving IoT technology to design and implement an internet-based energy meter. This meter, being cheap and easy-to-implement solution, enables consumers to monitor the daily usage of electric power easily. This work primarily concerns the energy-monitoring aspect of IoT, along with discussing other advantages of this meter, such as its ability to overcome human errors and reducing dependency on manual labor, besides reducing costs in energy consumption. The proposed design, which comprises a low-cost wireless network and protocol for smart energy along with a web application capable of automatically reading the unit and then sending the data automatically provides great advantages to users by allowing them to keep a track of their meter reading. This system will help users by allowing them to not only take steps to reduce power wastage but also bring down costs of consumption, along with minimizing the threat of power theft, which is incurs great losses to power companies. Experimental results of this study show that the proposed IoT meter works efficiently and has proven its potential in practical applications at substantially reduced costs.

Communication-Efficient Distributed Demand Response: A Randomized ADMM Approach

In this paper, we consider the distributed demand response (DDR) problem for achieving the real-time power balance in a neighborhood with a large number of load customers and renewable energy sources (RES). While most of the existing DDR schemes require iterative information exchange between the customers and the load aggregator through two-way communications, this paper studies the DDR schemes that rely on neighbor-wise communication between customers only. Such DDR schemes can be realized by low-cost wireless networks. To this end, we propose the use of a randomized alternating direction method of multipliers to develop a fully DDR algorithm. Notably, the proposed DDR algorithm is communication-efficient because it can yield promising power balance performance using a few times of neighbor-wise message exchanges. Moreover, the proposed DDR algorithm does not need synchronization between customers and is robust against random communication errors. For performing online demand response control, we combine the proposed DDR algorithm with the rolling-window-based model-predictive control method, and simple load and RES forecasting methods. By using real solar power data, we demonstrate via simulations that the proposed DDR algorithm improves the real-time power balance substantially and outperforms the existing DDR schemes that use the subgradient method for optimization.

Flexible architecture of data acquisition firmware based on multi-behaviors finite state machine.

A flexible firmware architecture for different kinds of data acquisition systems, ranging from high-precision bench instruments to low-cost wireless transducers networks, is presented. The key component is a multi-behaviors finite state machine, easily configurable to both low- and high-performance requirements, to diverse operating systems, as well as to on-line and batch measurement algorithms. The proposed solution was validated experimentally on three case studies with data acquisition architectures: (i) concentrated, in a high-precision instrument for magnetic measurements at CERN, (ii) decentralized, for telemedicine remote monitoring of patients at home, and (iii) distributed, for remote monitoring of building's energy loss.

On the application of wireless sensors and actuators network in existing buildings for occupancy detection and occupancy-driven lighting control

Buildings have in recent years been the target of a number of energy efficiency improvement strategies given that they are a major energy end-use sector in most countries. Whilst new buildings due to legislations, increasingly address sustainability and improved energy efficiency considerations, the refurbishment process of older buildings still presents a number of challenges. Advancement in Information and Communication Technology, particularly the application of low-cost Wireless Sensors and Actuators Network does however provide the opportunity to harness yet unrealized energy reduction in existing buildings. This paper presents results from an experimental study evaluating the performance and energy saving potentials of such off-the-shelve, low-cost wireless sensors and actuators network in an existing office building for occupancy detection and occupancy-driven lighting control. The study demonstrates that in addition to improved occupancy information obtainable from Wireless Sensors and Actuators Network, worthwhile savings in the energy consumption of the lighting systems can as well be achieved.

MODERATE QUALITY OF VOICE TRANSMISSION USING 8-BIT MICRO-CONTROLLER THROUGH ZIGBEE

This paper proposes an integrated approach towards Transmission of Moderate Quality of Voice Signal using 8-bit Microcontroller through Zigbee. Here Zigbee technology is used since it provides seamless addressable connectivity, simple and low cost wireless communication and networking solution for low data rate and low power consumption applications. Generally, Voice over Zigbee prototypes uses high speed Digital Signal Processors or 32- bit Micro Controllers. These prototypes have complex circuitry and are very expensive. Here, in this project we have made a prototype that uses low power 8- bit Micro Controller and Off the Shelf components, which makes it cost effective and easy for production. Because of its cost efficiency and ease of availability of components, it can be easily employed in circuit that uses voice communication. PIC16F876 microcontroller is being here at the transmitter end because of its features such as 10-bit ADC, 8-bit USART. PIC16F73 microcontroller is used at the receiver end because of its features such as 8-bit USART, 8-bit Pulse Width Modulator (PWM). An additional R-2R DAC is also employed at the receiver end. The project is quite helpful in applications such as home monitoring and automation, environmental monitoring, industry control and emerging low rate wireless sensor applications.

QOS Analysis in IEEE 802. 15. 4 and Impact of Flag Mobility on Network Performance in WSN

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) consists of large number of sensor nodes that are capable of communication, computation and sensing. Inherent limitations of WSN include limited storage, processing and transmission power. As compared to other network topologies, WSN has less communication Protocols mainly Zigbee/IEEE 802.15.4. IEEE 802.15.4 is a new standard, uniquely designed for low rate Wireless Personal Area Network (LR-WPAN), which is developed for applications that demand low throughput. IEEE 802.15.4 was designed for short range, low power, low complexity, low rate and low cost wireless network which provides two way wireless communication technology. For the analysis purpose, we have considered AODV as the Adhoc-routing protocol. Simulation has been carried out by using Qualnet Simulator 6.1. In this paper, we proposed a mobility control scheme and the impact of mobility over the performance of WSN is seen. In this paper, we have designed two scenarios, one is used with Random waypoint Mobility and the other is used by Mobility with Flag. Results of both the mobility schemes are compared to find out which mobility scheme gives overall best services. This paper provides the performance evaluation of quality of service parameters such as total packets received, received throughput, average end to end delay, average jitter and energy consumption as the performance metrics.

Performance Analysis of Improving ZigBee Wireless Network Using AODV Mesh Routing Model

ZigBee is an emerging standard for the low cost, low power and low rate wireless networks and the ZigBee technology is well suited to a wide range of energy management and efficiency applications in areas such as building automation, industrial, medical and home automation. ZigBee is a version of AODV routing protocol, where the routes are discovered RREQ through the network by the source broadcasting and sending RREP back the destination, so make ZigBee routing efficient, we used AODV mesh topology methods to send and receive data from source to destination and vice versa. In this paper we present an improved version of ZigBee-AODV mesh network, which utilizes and divide the topology of network into one or more logical clusters and restricts the flooding of route request outside the cluster. ZigBee-AODV mesh network uses nodes of the same cluster to share routing information, which significantly reduces the route path discovery and created cluster formation to decrease the routing path. The proposed protocol has higher reliability and lower overhead than AODV.

A Simulation Platform for ZigBee-UMTS Hybrid Networks

A ZigBee Network is a low-cost and low-power wireless network based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, which allows wireless connectivity with limited power and relaxed throughput requirements. On the other hand, the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third-generation cellular network that provides high-speed wireless traffic transfer to the Internet. This paper presents the design and implementation of a novel integrated ZigBee and UMTS hybrid network in the Network Simulator (ns-2). In this hybrid network, we design a new Mobile Gateway to interconnect these two different sub-networks. With the hierarchical addressing and some special UMTS network discovering mechanisms, routing in the hybrid network, from the ZigBee network via the UMTS network to the wired network, is achieved. We also design a simulation platform to make it easier for protocol designers to design and evaluate new protocols in such a hybrid network.

Performance Analysis of Wireless Sensor Network Based on OPNET

The wireless sensor network is a new hot spot in the field of wireless network. Compared with other network technology, wireless sensor network has less communication protocols, mainly including Wireless HART, ISA100.11a, IEEE1451, and ZigBee/IEEE802.15.4. IEEE802.15.4 was designed for short-range, low-complexity, low-power, low-rate and low-cost wireless network which provides two-way wireless communication technology [1]. In this paper, the performance of IEEE 802.15.4 is analyzed based on OPNET simulator. The simulation result indicates the influence of ACK mechanism and different network load on the system performance,i.e. end-to-end delay, packet reception ratio and throughout of node, which provides an important theoretical basis for the construction of actual network.

An Indoor Positioning System (IPS) using Grid Model

To date many positioning systems are available to determine or track a user's location; three main categories include Global Positioning System (GPS), wide area location system and indoor positioning system. GPS has its limitation (poor signals) in indoor or urban uses, while wide-area location systems are cellular networks dependent. For indoor positioning system many approaches like infrared sensing, radio frequency, ultrasonic etc. are proposed; each of these methods has their own advantages and disadvantages. Considering cost-effectiveness, speed and accuracy a recent interest is growing on using wireless technology. A Wireless Local-Area Network (WLAN) based positioning system has some distinct advantages like low-cost and wider area coverage. This researrch propose a system to determine the location of a mobile terminal or a handheld PDA in high speed, low-cost wireless networks by using the wireless communications infrastructure. The experimental set up used an indoor wireless facility of an auditorium, where signals from three Access Points (APs) were recorded to train a position determination model to calculate and map a position. Grid model was applied and compare the resulted position of a client. A handheld PDA equipped with application software was the client device. The accuracy assessment has been performed to identify the distance errors and the average distance error was found lowest for the grid model. The results of the experiments reveal that the accuracy of 0.05 m can be achieved.