AIU22024-07-23T14:06:49+00:00

AIU2  – Communication Technologies for Networked Applications 

Wednesday, 5 June 2024, 16:00-17:30, room Pelican

Session Chair: Daniel Fernandes Macedo (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, BR)

Sustainable and Low-Power Logic Inverter-Based Batteryless SLIPT Receiver for IoT Nodes
Khodr Hammoud, Dominique Schreurs and Sofie Pollin (KU Leuven, Belgium)
This study delves into a batteryless Simultaneous Light Information and Power Transfer (SLIPT) receiver design utilizing a logic inverter. Unlike conventional amplifier-based receivers, which are power-intensive and necessitate larger hardware with a significant CO2 footprint due to their bandwidth requirements, our proposed method employs a logic inverter as the receiver’s amplifier in a back-to-back configuration. This approach advocates for reduced environmental impact in IoT nodes that integrate a photovoltaic (PV) panel for energy harvesting and serve as a data communication frontend. Our approach demonstrates the potential for communication bandwidth ranging from 200 kHz to 1.5 MHz. Simultaneously, power harvesting levels vary between 9.25 uW and 306 uW, depending on the type of PV panel utilized.

A Ring Topology Approach: Efficient Communication in Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs)
Jan Herbst (German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, Germany); Robin Müller (DFKI, Germany); Christoph Lipps (German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, Germany); Hans D. Schotten (University of Kaiserslautern, Germany)
Developments in the fields of Beyond 5G (B5G) and Sixth Generation (6G) communication are shifting the human factor increasingly back into focus, with particular emphasis on Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs). Therefore, in this work, a new Printed Circuit Board (PCB) based on the ESP32- S3 microcontroller and an innovative protocol based on ESP- NOW optimized for reliability and low latency are proposed. The developed PCB is specifically designed as a modular and flexible sensor carrier for biometric applications. In addition to the multi- hop and token-based approach to reduce the computing load and the communication volume, the core of the development is the implementation of a ring network topology, as well as the increase in efficiency and reduction of energy consumption. The results of the work, which were evaluated in comprehensive tests, prove a reduced overall latency of approximately 50 % in combination with a 36 % lower power consumption compared to traditional star network topologies on the same hardware. Therefore the protocol not only shows an increase in efficiency for state-of-the- art systems but also proposes a flexible sensor carrier board for biometric data acquisition while reducing the overall amount of communication needed.

Towards Railways Remote Driving: Analysis of Video Streaming Latency and Adaptive Rate Control
Daniel A Mejías and Roberto Viola (Fundación Vicomtech, Spain); Zaloa Fernández (Vicomtech, Spain); Ander Aramburu, Igor Lopez and Andoni Diaz de Cerio (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), Spain)
Remote driving aims to improve transport systems by promoting efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility. In the railway sector, remote driving makes it possible to increase flexibility, as the driver no longer has to be in the cab. However, this brings several challenges, as it has to provide at least the same level of safety obtained when the driver is in the cab. To achieve it, wireless networks and video streaming technologies gain importance as they should provide real-time track visualization and obstacle detection capabilities to the remote driver. Low latency camera capture, onboard media processing devices, and streaming protocols adapted for wireless links are the necessary enablers to be developed and integrated into the railway infrastructure. This paper compares video streaming protocols such as Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) and Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC), as they are the main alternatives based on Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) protocol to enable low latency. As latency is the main performance metric, this paper also provides a solution to calculate the End-to-End video streaming latency analytically. Finally, the paper proposes a rate control algorithm to adapt the video stream depending on the network capacity. The objective is to keep the latency as low as possible while avoiding any visual artifacts. The proposed solutions are tested in different setups and scenarios to prove their effectiveness before the planned field testing.

Low-Latency Symbol-Synchronous Communication for Multi-Hop Sensor Networks
Xinlei Liu (University of Antwerp, Belgium); Andrey Belogaev (University of Antwerp & IMEC, Belgium); Jonathan Oostvogels (Imec-DistriNet, KU Leuven, Belgium); Bingwu Fang (Beihang University, China); Danny Hughes (KU Leuven, Belgium); Maarten Weyn (University of Antwerp – imec, Belgium); Jeroen Famaey (University of Antwerp & Imec, Belgium)
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have received great interest due to their scalability, energy efficiency, and low-cost deployment. By utilizing multi-hop communication, WSNs can cover a wide area using low transmission power without the need for any communication infrastructure. Traditionally, WSNs rely on store-and-forward routing protocols and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)-based schedules that avoid interference between different wireless nodes. However, emerging challenging scenarios, such as the industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and robotic swarms, impose strict latency and reliability requirements, which traditional approaches cannot fulfill. In this paper, we propose a novel symbol-synchronous transmission design that provides reliable low-latency communication with a reasonable data rate on classical sub-6GHz RF frequency bands (e.g., the 2.4 GHz ISM band). Instead of avoiding interference, the proposed scheme benefits from concurrent transmissions. Using simulation in MATLAB, we prove that the proposed design allows achieving a wire-like delay of 5 ms for a 512-bit packet over multiple hops with only a 0.3% latency increase per extra hop and a low bit error rate (BER) of 0.09%. Compared to similar state-of-the-art approaches, it can achieve a significantly higher data rate of 100 kbps, which is expected to increase further with future improvements of the system.

Designing a Dynamic Platform for the Next Generation of Multi-Modal Logistics
Raúl Cuervo Bello (IMEC & University of Antwerpen, Belgium); Andreas Gavrielides (University of Antwerp & IMEC, Belgium); Ngoc Quang Luong (University of Antwerpen – Imec, Belgium); Georgia Ayfantopoulou (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas – Hellenic Institute of Transport, Greece); Sofoklis Dais (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), Greece); Katerina Batzou (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Greece); Orestis Manos (WINGS ICT Solutions, Greece); Giota Lilli (eBOS Technologies Ltd & R&D Department eBOS Technologies Ltd, Cyprus); Jorge Feliu Escagüés and Alicia Enríquez (Fundación Valenciaport, Spain); Jorge Melero Corell and Gonzalo Sandiás Corbillón (Terminal Industry Committee 4. 0, Spain); Stefan Stefanescu (Beia Consult International SRL, Romania); Andra Luciana Marcu (ATG-Danubius University, Romania); Nicoleta Capbun (Beia Consult International SRL, Romania); George Suciu (Politehnica University of Bucharest & BEIA Consult International SRL, Romania); Sokratis Barmpounakis and Grigorios Koutantos (WINGS ICT Solutions, Greece); Panagiotis Demestichas (University of Piraeus, Greece); Johann M. Marquez-Barja (University of Antwerpen & imec, Belgium)
The FOR-FREIGHT (Flexible, multi-mOdal and Robust FREIGHt Transport) project represents a pioneering initiative aimed at revolutionizing multimodal logistics by optimizing transport capacity and enhancing sustainability and efficiency. This paper delves into the project’s overarching objectives, methodologies, and anticipated impacts. With a primary focus on developing innovative solutions seamlessly integrated into existing logistics systems, FOR-FREIGHT strives to diminish the average cost of freight transport. The project’s unique approach encompasses a comprehensive, end-to-end optimization of multimodal logistics services, addressing challenges prevalent in airports, ports, inland terminals, and logistics nodes. Central to FOR-FREIGHT’s success is the creation of a cloud-based platform, combining IoT, AI/ML, and Big Data Management, designed to streamline logistics processes and facilitate decision-making. The paper also emphasizes the integration of legacy systems, ensuring the project’s applicability to real-world scenarios. Furthermore, FOR-FREIGHT envisions an open marketplace and standardized interfaces, fostering collaboration and interoperability across diverse stakeholders. As the project advances, it promises to not only redefine multimodal logistics practices but also contribute to the establishment of sustainable and efficient standards within the industry.

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