Mobile Network Connectivity Research Articles

Geotagging accuracy in smartphone photography

After a decade of technological advancements, digital forensic science is under increasing pressure to deliver investigative findings with a high degree of scientific rigor. The judicial community has voiced growing concerns regarding digital traces and their interpretation. This research focuses on assessing the significance of geolocation information embedded within the metadata of photographs captured using a mobile phone. In order to examine the variability in the accuracy of this geolocation metadata and identify potential external influences, images were taken at 29 different locations distributed along three distinct paths. The photographs were captured using two Samsung Galaxy S8 SM-G950F devices running on Android 8.0. Various configurations of GNSS and mobile network connections were tested, and their potential impact on the accuracy of geolocation metadata was investigated. The findings show the dependency of geolocation accuracy on the specific measurement location. This research ultimately highlights the imperative for evaluative approaches to take into account the specific characteristics of each point of interest, as opposed to leaning on broad statements about the reliability of geolocation processes in general.

Acceptability of a Digital Adherence Tool Among Patients With Tuberculosis and Tuberculosis Care Providers in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania: Mixed Methods Study.

The World Health Organization has recommended digital adherence tools (DATs) as a promising intervention to improve antituberculosis drug adherence. However, the acceptability of DATs in resource-limited settings is not adequately studied. We investigated the acceptability of a DAT among patients with tuberculosis (TB) and TB care providers in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. We conducted a convergent parallel mixed methods study among patients with TB and TB care providers participating in our 2-arm cluster randomized trial (REMIND-TB). The trial aimed to investigate whether the evriMED pillbox with reminder cues and adherence feedback effectively improves adherence to anti-TB treatment among patients with TB in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. We conducted exit and in-depth interviews among patients as well as in-depth interviews among TB care providers in the intervention arm. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the quantitative data from exit interviews. Translated transcripts and memos were organized using NVivo software. We employed inductive and deductive thematic framework analysis, guided by Sekhon's theoretical framework of acceptability. Out of the 245 patients who completed treatment, 100 (40.8%) were interviewed during exit interviews, and 18 patients and 15 TB care providers were interviewed in-depth. Our findings showed that the DAT was highly accepted: 83% (83/100) expressed satisfaction, 98% (98/100) reported positive experiences with DAT use, 78% (78/100) understood how the intervention works, and 92% (92/100) successfully used the pillbox. Good perceived effectiveness was reported by 84% (84/100) of the participants who noticed improved adherence, and many preferred continuing receiving reminders through SMS text messages, indicating high levels of self-efficacy. Ethical concerns were minimal, as 85 (85%) participants did not worry about remote monitoring. However, some participants felt burdened using DATs; 9 (9%) faced difficulties keeping the device at home, 12 (12%) were not pleased with receiving daily reminder SMS text messages, and 30 (30%) reported challenges related to mobile network connectivity issues. TB care providers accepted the intervention due to its perceived impact on treatment outcomes and behavior change in adherence counseling, and they demonstrated high level of intervention coherence. DATs are highly acceptable in Tanzania. However, some barriers such as TB-related stigma and mobile network connectivity issues may limit acceptance. RR2-10.1186/s13063-019-3483-4.

Man versus machine: cost and carbon emission savings of 4G-connected Artificial Intelligence technology for classifying species in camera trap images

Timely and accurate detection and identification of species are crucial for monitoring wildlife for conservation and management. Technological advances, including connectivity of camera traps to mobile phone networks and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for automated species identification, can potentially improve the timeliness and accuracy of species detection and identification. Adoption of this new technology, however, is often seen as cost-prohibitive as it has been difficult to calculate the cost savings or qualitative benefits over the life of the program. We developed a decision tool to quantify potential cost savings associated with incorporating the use of mobile phone network connectivity and AI technologies into monitoring programs. Using a feral cat eradication program as a case study, we used our decision tool to quantify technology-related savings in costs and carbon emissions, and compared the accuracy of AI species identification to that of experienced human observers. Over the life of the program, AI technology yielded cost savings of $0.27 M and when coupled with mobile phone network connectivity, AI saved $2.15 M and 115,838 kg in carbon emissions, with AI algorithms outperforming human observers in both speed and accuracy. Our case study demonstrates how advanced technologies can improve accuracy and cost-effectiveness and improve monitoring program efficiencies.

Poster] Improving light aviation safety through traffic sharing and OpenSky ADS-B feed

Traffic detection and alerting is lacking in light and ultralight aviation aircrafts for several reasons:
 
 those aircrafts mostly operate in lower airspace, often near the ground, and may not be detected by ATC radar network.
 they may either not be transponder-equipped or not operating their transponder, especially in uncontrolled lower airspace.
 Most of those small aircrafts are not equipped with onboard ADS-B receivers.
 Pilots may not be in touch with ATC information frequencies and hence will not get traffic alerts from ATC.
 
 To increase safety of such flights, we have added the display of surrounding traffic to the Airmate EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) and relevant informational collision avoidance alerts when a potential conflict is detected. Airmate is the most used free application for flight planning and navigation, with a community of more than 230,000 pilots worldwide. The Airmate EFB is now able to display neighbouring traffic consolidated from OpenSky and other hubs, and broadcasted to flying pilots over mobile network connectivity.
 The sharing of position reports from Airmate app enables to complement ADS-B traffic with actual data from aircrafts that may not be detected by ATC radar network.
 Traffic sharing and alerting prerequisites is to be within coverage of a mobile network and running the Airmate app while flying. An Airmate server is receiving ADS-B traffic from OpenSky and other hubs, FLARM and GliderNet traffic, merging it with Airmate position reports received from Airmate apps in flight mode. The consolidated data is then broadcasted to pilots flying using Airmate EFB if within mobile network coverage.

Exploring The Advantages and Obstacles of Mobile Governance in Kashmir a Comprehensive Study

Mobile governance (m-Governance) has emerged as a new paradigm for governance in many countries, including India. This study investigates the benefits and barriers of m-governance in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. The study used an analytical and documentary method to reach at conclusion. The findings suggest that m-governance has the potential to enhance citizen engagement and participation, increase transparency and accountability, and improve service delivery. The study also highlights several barriers that hinder the effective implementation of m-governance, including the lack of technological infrastructure and expertise, low literacy rates, and limited access to mobile devices and network connectivity, particularly in rural areas. Furthermore, the study identified concerns related to data privacy and security as a significant challenge to the adoption of m-governance. The study recommends that policymakers should take a holistic approach to m-governance by addressing the barriers and challenges while leveraging the benefits of mobile technology. The study recommends that the government should prioritize the establishment of technological infrastructure, providing digital literacy programs, and strengthening data protection laws to address citizens' privacy concerns. The study concludes that m-governance has the potential to transform the governance landscape in Jammu and Kashmir by improving transparency, accountability, and service delivery, but it requires a collaborative effort from policymakers, government officials, citizens, and private stakeholders to overcome the barriers and harness its full potential.

Adaptive game-based learning in education: a systematic review

The advent and abundance of mobile devices and network connectivity have provided learners of all ages with access to potentially unlimited sources of educational material, from pre-school activities to conventional and after-school courses and continuing education. One of the challenges that learners face is how to locate and access interesting contents suited to their preferences and, more importantly, to the level of expertise and individual needs. From the point of view of content creators and educators, adapting the content and the experience to each learner usually leads to better user retention and a more meaningful and deeper learning experience. In this study, we utilized the PRISMA review methodology to examine research on content and experience adaptivity in educational contexts and report on the authors' findings. Consisting of well-defined steps (keyword-based retrieval, study scope definition, result filtering, and grouping and analysis), the systematic nature of this methodology ensures its objectivity and replicability at a future stage or replicated by other researchers.

Mobile health technology in providing maternal health services – Awareness and challenges faced by pregnant women in upper West region of Ghana

ObjectivesThe study assessed awareness on Mobile Health (mhealth) Technology as well as challenges pregnant women encounter in the utilization of mhealth technology to improve maternal health in rural settings in the Upper West Region (UWR) of Ghana. Study designThe study was an exploratory design that employed the qualitative method of data collection. MethodsSemi-structured interview guide was used to conduct six (6) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and nine (9) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) among pregnant women and health workers respectively from three (3) selected rural districts in the Upper West Region. Data was collected in August 2020. Thematic analysis was conducted and some statements from participants were presented verbatim to illustrate the themes realized. ResultsParticipants were aware of the mhealth intervention that had been implemented by Savanna Signatures in their districts. Major sources of information on the mhealth services were from durbars, health education sessions and health care providers. Challenges faced by pregnant women, in the mhealth technology intervention were; financial challenges, lack of mobile network connectivity, lack of electricity in some rural areas, low female literacy rate at household level and cultural barriers. ConclusionThe Savanna Signatures mhealth intervention is widely known but some challenges exist that impede the smooth implementation of the intervention. The mhealth technology intervention implementers should partner with other sectors and policy makers to address the challenges identified by the study.

Deep Sea Communication Networks for the Safety and Sustainability of Fishermen in India: A Survey

Due to long coastline of India, fishing is considered as the primary source of livelihood for the people in coastal zones. With nearly one million active fishermen, India is the 2nd largest fish producer in the world. Despite having long coastline and vast fishing community, natural calamities like cyclones frequently hit the fishing operations and render damage to the lives and property. The safety and sustainability of the fishermen remain major issues due to the lack of proper communication network from boat to shore. Though mobile network connectivity is available up to 22km from the seacoast, most of the fishermen venture into deep sea to perform the fishing activities. Recently, when the cyclone Ockhi ravaged the Arabian Sea coast, many fishermen from Kerala and Tamilnadu went missing due to delayed cyclone warning and network disconnection from the shore. In such vulnerable conditions, the fishermen community is posing serious question whether they would return safely to the shore another time when they go out to sea. Hence, this study highlights the need to develop emergency communication network for the safety of fishermen along the coastline. This survey presents a brief review of some of the solutions that address the emergency communication requirements for the fishermen far from the sea shore. Further, this study also highlights the need to install floating communication devices offshore to enable seamless connectivity during disaster times.

Location Based Service for Important Locations in the Paser Belengkong District

Location-based service systems or better known as Location-Based Services (LBS) are information services in the form of geographic information accessed using a smartphone via a mobile network connection for precise mapping. This research focuses on profile information and routes for office locations, places of worship, health, schools, emergency places, markets, sports facilities and infrastructure, companies and ATMs in Paser Belengkong District with location points that utilize the Location Manager Application Programming Interface technology. (API maps) and Location Provider (API Location) from Google. The data collection method used was interviews by asking questions related to important location data in Paser Belengkong District. By way of observation, namely by making direct observations of the villages in Paser Belengkong District. In this research the system development method uses the waterfall and the testing techniques used are Black Box and Beta Testing. The supporting software used is Android Studio, Xampp, Sublime Text, Google Maps and software design using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) modeling system, Use Case Diagrams, Activity Diagrams, Sequence Diagrams and Class Diagrams. Test results by utilizing Location Based Service Technology which combines Geographic Information System, Internet Service

Mobile network connectivity analysis for device to device communication in 5G network

<p><span>Since long term evolved release 14 (LTE R14), the device to device (D2D) communications have become a promising technology for in-band or out-band mobile communication networks. In addition, D2D communications constitute an essential component of the fifth-generation mobile network (5G). For example, to improve capability communication, reduce the power dissipation, reduce latency within the networks and implement new applications and services. However, reducing the congestion in D2D communications and improving the mobile network connectivity are the essential problems to propose these new applications or services. This paper presents new solutions to reduce the congestion of devices around a base station and improve the performance of the D2D network; in terms of the number of connected devices or user equipment (UE). The simulation results show that our proposed solution can improve the network capacity by doubling the number of connected devices (or UE) and reducing the congestion. For this reason, our proposition makes it possible to reduce the financial cost by reducing the cost of deploying equipment. For example, instead of using two base stations, we can use only one station to connect the same number of devices.</span></p>

Connectivity Improvement of Hybrid Millimeter Wave and Microwave Vehicular Networks

The network connectivity while traveling in a vehicle is an important issue, which needs to be addressed by mobile vehicular networks. This paper proposes a novel scheme to improve the connectivity of mobile vehicular networks. In particular, the paper proposes a medium access control (MAC) layer hybrid mmWave and microwave scheme for vehicular networks, and leverage their capabilities to improve the vehicle’s connectivity. The novel computational model is derived to evaluate the connectivity for the proposed scheme. The model is used for performance analysis of vehicles moving on a multi-lane highway road and getting connectivity with road-side-units (RSUs) deployed along the roads. Our analysis considers that reference VN has perfect channel state information. It is assumed that the RSU radiates ubiquitously on the road surface using microwave radio access technology (RAT), while it radiates directionally towards reference VN using mmWave RAT. For mathematical analysis, the directionality in mmWave RAT is well approximated by a sectored antenna model. The analysis for the proposed scheme is compared with the existing mmWave network and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer hybrid scheme. The analysis claims that the proposed hybrid scheme significantly improves the connectivity performance in mobile vehicular networks over the existing schemes. The computation results are validated with the simulation results. Also, the paper offers parametric analysis for connectivity probability with vehicle speed and slot duration to enable its practical implementation in 5G/6G technologies.

Research on the network handoff strategy based on the best access point name decision.

To improve the network switching performance and efficiency of mobile phone terminals and establish an efficient mobile communication network connection, this paper constructs the SDN+MPTCP+CP (Software Defined Network, Multi-Path TCP, and Mobile Terminal) mobile communication network model and designs a network switching algorithm with a preselected available access point name (APN) based on the potential game method. The constructed network model integrates a 5G mobile communication network, satellite communication, the SDN network, and the MPTCP multi-way communication technology. APN access point is preselected by using Kalman filtering theory, and dual problems are resolved with the Lagrange function. To determine the MPTCP sub-flow transmission path, the differential derivative calculation is introduced. The performance of the network switching strategy is evaluated based on the Jacobian matrix. Then, the game coefficient is designed, and the game function is calculated. A potential game balance point is found, and an updating strategy is formulated to determine the best APN access point. The simulation network model is constructed, and the parameters of the performance evaluation are defined to find the performance comprehensively. The experimental results demonstrated the extreme reliability, stability, and compatibility of the proposed algorithm.

Millimeter-Wave Feasibility in 5G Backhaul: A Cross-Layer Analysis of Blockage Impact

The wireless backhaul has become a key enabler for 5G technology by presenting a cost-effective and scalable alternative to the typical fiber backhaul. WiGig protocols, such as IEEE 802.11ad and later IEEE 802.11ay, have been considered for backhaul connectivity of 5G mobile networks, thanks to the availability of high bandwidths capable of achieving fiber-like data rates. However, this band suffers from high propagation loss that can only be compensated using highly directional antennas, making mmWave links more susceptible to blockage and errors. Thus, to effectively evaluate the viability of WiGig-based technologies in wireless backhaul scenarios, it is crucial to characterize the impact of obstruction across the different network layers. This article presents an extensive measurement campaign and cross-layer analysis of physical (PHY), medium access control (MAC), and transport layers metrics measured for outdoor WiGig-based hardware submitted to short-term and long-term blockage. This study found that maintaining constant and higher modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) in long-term blocked channels may induce packet errors as high as 100%, round-trip-time (RTTs) that can be in the order of a few seconds, and packet losses as high as 90%. Even dynamically adjusting the MCS, the performance can be highly degraded. This effect was exacerbated in short-term links, as they suffered from more extreme MCS changes upon sudden obstructions. Temporary line of sight (LOS) obstruction was shown to cause maximum delays of half a second and a PER of around 20%; in more extreme cases, it has even led to temporary link failures.

Highway Navigation System Using Li-Fi

Light is present everywhere as street lamp and traffic light. Imagine that all these light bulbs are high speed wireless transmitter that connects either human to human or systems with systems. In recent times the using of internet is rapidly increase which leads to radio waves being widely used. Long distance data transmission makes use of this spectrum. It has become difficult to keep up with the demand for the high speed connectivity as the number of users is increasing. An alternative and advantageous replacement can be visible light communication (VLC).In this paper, Li-Fi technology is used to build the highway navigation system. The Li-Fi technology based on the visible light communication and it is one of the applications of VLC. Frequently we have to navigating one place to another place. The major issues faced by drivers are navigating at night. Low battery of mobile phone or network connectivity issues are the major problems to use the Gmap. This paper proposes a system which aims to provide efficient and secure communication between vehicles and the street light .To improve safety and reduce accidents in roads at night we are using this system .In this system, LED lights embedded in the highway street light that act as a data transmitter and the receiver are installed on vehicles like car, truck to receive and process the data without using internet. The received information is then displayed on a display screen in the vehicle, such as current location and future diversions. This system is alternate solution for the road navigation board system. In this system the Arduino UNO is used in the transmitter and receiver portions, and it is programmed using the Arduino IDE. The overall the highway navigation system using Li-Fi technology to improve traffic safety and efficiency while reducing the environmental impact of transportation.

A Feasibility Study of a Traffic Supervision System Based on 5G Communication.

At present, autonomous driving vehicles are designed in an ego-vehicle manner. The vehicles gather information from their on-board sensors, build an environment model from it and plan their movement based on this model. Mobile network connections are used for non-mission-critical tasks and maintenance only. In this paper, we propose a connected autonomous driving system, where self-driving vehicles exchange data with a so-called road supervisor. All vehicles under supervision provide their current position, velocity and other valuable data. Using the received information, the supervisor provides a recommended trajectory for every vehicle, coordinated with all other vehicles. Since the supervisor has a much better overview of the situation on the road, more elaborate decisions, compared to each individual autonomous vehicle planning for itself, are possible. Experiments show that our approach works efficiently and safely when running our road supervisor on top of a popular traffic simulator. Furthermore, we show the feasibility of offloading the trajectory planning task into the network when using ultra-low-latency 5G networks.

Increasing online Purchase through Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Risk and Perceived Ease of Use

The rapid development of internet users or users is due to the support of mobile phone technology and smooth mobile network connections, meaning that when cellphones can access the internet easily, internet users will develop quickly. This not only affects the community as consumers, but also affects business people to take advantage of the development of internet users, namely by doing trading business in the form of electronic stores so that e-commerce is also growing rapidly. Perceived usefulness, subjective norms, and enjoyment as predictors of online shopping behavior. Interest in online shopping is also influenced by perceived risk, namely the fear of consumers to accept risk in online shopping and perceived ease of use, namely consumer perceptions of the ease of use of online sites. This paper will discuss the role of perceived usefulness (PU), perceived risk (PR) and perceived ease of use (PEU) in influencing online purchases.

Utilization of Agricultural Information by Poultry Farmers in Enhancing Productivity: The Case of Menengai West, Nakuru County, Kenya

Agriculture in Kenya has been one of the backbones of economic development in the country. Poultry farmers play a bigger role in contributing to this development. Poultry farmers utilize information for various reasons including; poultry disease management, protection, shelter, production, feeding and nutrition, hatching, marketing, breeds and breeding, and competition with crops. In Menengai West Location, Rongai Sub County, Nakuru, underutilization of agricultural information is seen as the possible cause of low productivity in poultry farming. The aim of this research was to evaluate the utilization of agricultural information by poultry farmers with a view of establishing challenges faced and proposing ways of improving production. The specific objectives of the study were; to find out the uses of agricultural information by poultry farmers; to identify factors influencing the use of certain agricultural information; to find out the awareness level of existing agricultural information by poultry farmers; to determine the effectiveness of agricultural information on poultry production and to establish the challenges faced by farmers in utilizing agricultural information. The study will benefit poultry farmers in Menengai West by enhancing utilization of agricultural information hence increasing productivity. The target population was 517 poultry farmers and the sample size for this research was 217 poultry farmers derived from the Saunder’s table of sampling. Two extension officers were also targeted. A pilot study was conducted in Njoro Sub County. The study was based on Eugene’s information society theory of 1979. Questionnaires and structured interviews were used for data collection. Television, radio and mobile phones were the commonly used sources of agricultural information in provision of poultry information. Inadequate agricultural extension officers and inadequate funds were major challenges faced by poultry farmers in utilization of agricultural information. The study concludes that there are gaps that exist in utilization of agricultural information. The researcher therefore recommended that the county government should employ more extension officers within Menengai West in order to reach out to poultry farmers, Agricultural resource centers should be set up by Nakuru County Government in rural areas to enable farmers in the location access agricultural information easily and within reach, establish partnership with agricultural institutions and county government to disseminate agricultural information and access veterinary services and the government need to improve mobile network connectivity in the area.

ICT and Women's Health: An Examination of the Impact of ICT on Maternal Health in SADC States.

Attainment of sexual and reproductive health is regarded as a human rights matter. Notwithstanding this, maternal mortality continues to be a major public health concern in low-income countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal mortality remains high in Africa, yet there are information communication technologies (ICTs) (such as the internet, mobile communication, social media, and community radios) that have the potential to make a difference. Making effective use of all of these ICTs can considerably decrease preventable maternal deaths. ICTs, particularly mobile devices, offer a platform for access to health information and services that can bring change in areas where health infrastructure and resources are often limited. However, for Southern Africa, maternal mortality remains high despite the presence of ICT tools that have transformative potential to improve maternal health. In light of this, this study sought to examine the impact of ICT on maternal health. The study was quantitative in nature, and it used panel data that covered the period from 2000–2018. The Mean Group and Pooled Mean Group cointegration techniques and a generalised method of moments panel technique were used for estimation purposes. Results showed that ICT has a negative effect on maternal health. This shows that ICT tools contribute positively to maternal health. The study gave a number of recommendations. The mobile gender gap should be closed (digital inclusion), mobile network connectivity boosted, and digital platforms must be created in order to enhance the transformative potential of ICT in improving health outcomes.

Post-Quantum Era in V2X Security: Convergence of Orchestration and Parallel Computation

Along with the potential emergence of quantum computing, safety and security of new and complex communication services such as automated driving need to be redefined in the post-quantum era. To ensure reliable, continuous, and secure operation of these scenarios, quantum-resistant security algorithms (QRSAs) that enable secure connectivity must be integrated into the network management and orchestration systems of mobile networks. This article explores a road-map study of post-quantum era convergence with cellular connectivity using the Service & Computation Orchestrator (SCO) framework for enhanced data security in radio access and backhaul transmission with a particular focus on vehicle-to-everything services. Using NTRU as a QSRA, we show that the parallelization performance of the Toom-Cook and Karatsuba computation methods can vary based on different CPU load conditions through extensive simulations, and that the SCO framework can facilitate the selection of the most efficient computation for a given QRSA. Finally, we discuss the evaluation results, identify the current standardization efforts, and present possible directions for the coexistence of post-quantum and mobile network connectivity through an SCO framework that leverages parallel computing.

Performance of symmetric and asymmetric links in wireless networks

<p>Wireless networks are designed to provide the enabling infrastructure for emerging technological advancements. The main characteristics of wireless networks are: Mobility, power constraints, high packet loss, and lower bandwidth. Nodes’ mobility is a crucial consideration for wireless networks, as nodes are moving all the time, and this may result in loss of connectivity in the network. The goal of this work is to explore the effect of replacing the generally held assumption of symmetric radii for wireless networks with asymmetric radii. This replacement may have a direct impact on the connectivity, throughput, and collision avoidance mechanism of mobile networks. The proposed replacement may also impact other mobile protocol’s functionality. In this work, we are mainly concerned with building and maintaining fully connected wireless network with the asymmetric assumption. For this extent, we propose to study the effect of the asymmetric links assumption on the network performance using extensive simulation experiments. Extensive simulation experiments were performed to measure the impact of these parameters. Finally, a resource allocation scheme for wireless networks is proposed for the dual rate scenario. The performance of the proposed framework is evaluated using simulation.</p>