Next-Generation of Internet of Things (IoT): New Advances, Solutions, Applications, Services and Challenges

Dear Colleagues,

The next generation of IoT is emerging based on the convergence of key enablers such as Artificial Intelligence (IA), blockchain, edge computing, and 5G/6G networks. The IoT evolution is characterized by innovative and secure applications with embedded intelligence at the edge that relies on reliable and ultra-low latency connectivity, processing capabilities at the network's edge, real-time data processing, and predictive analytics. The next generation of IoT networks is expected to support a growing number of Intelligent IoT devices and tactile Internet solutions to provide real-time applications. New architectures and protocols are required to facilitate the large-scale deployment of IoT devices and manage network resources. These new solutions rely on the Software Defined-Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), and Edge–Fog–Cloud Continuum concepts to support scalable IoT applications. Moreover, emerging distributed IA techniques such as decentralized and federated learning will allow for faster AI model training with minimum computation and network resource allocation. Considering the IA above approaches, new solutions are required to integrate the IoT architectures effectively.

This Special Issue aims to bring together academia and industrial researchers to propose new IoT architectures and present innovative solutions, applications, and services for addressing the next generation of IoT challenges. This Special Issue will publish high-quality, original research papers. The potential topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Cloud, Edge, and Fog for the IoT.
• IoT applications and services.
• Industrial 4.0 and Industrial IoT (IIoT).
• Machine/Deep Learning for IoT applications.
• Next Generation Infrastructure for IoT.
• Blockchain for IoT.
• IoT big data and analytics.
• IoT 5G/6G slice management.
• IoT orchestration.
• Network Function Virtualization (NFV) for IoT.
• Software-Defined Networking (SDN) for IoT.
• Architecture and protocols for IoT.
• Distributed Artificial Intelligence for IoT, Federation Learning, and Edge IA.
• Green Communication and IoT.
• Visual Light Communications for IoT.
• Ambient Intelligence.

Dr. David Sarabia-Jácome
Prof. Dr. Carlos Enrique Palau Salvador
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.