Editorial

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3 pages, 178 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue “Wireless Sensor Networks: Technologies, Applications, Prospects”

by Alvaro Araujo

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1930; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031930 - 02 Feb 2023

Viewed by 968

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) have a long history of research and development [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wireless Sensor Networks: Technologies, Applications, Prospects)

Research

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16 pages, 4558 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Security Models for IoT–Fog–Cloud Architectures in a Real-World Environment

by Mohammed A. Aleisa, Abdullah Abuhussein, Faisal S. Alsubaei and Frederick T. Sheldon

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(10), 4837; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12104837 - 10 May 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1655

Abstract

With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), there is a demand for computation at network edges because of the limited processing capacity of IoT devices. Fog computing is a middle layer that has appeared to address the latency issues between the [...] Read more.

With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), there is a demand for computation at network edges because of the limited processing capacity of IoT devices. Fog computing is a middle layer that has appeared to address the latency issues between the Internet of things (IoT) and the cloud. Fog computing is becoming more important as companies face increasing challenges in collecting and sending data from IoT devices to the cloud. However, this has led to new security and privacy issues as a result of the large number of sensors in IoT environments as well as the massive amount of data that must be analyzed in real time. To overcome the security challenges between the IoT layer and fog layer and, thus, meet the security requirements, this paper proposes a fine-grained data access control model based on the attribute-based encryption of the IoT–Fog–Cloud architecture to limit the access to sensor data and meet the authorization requirements. In addition, this paper proposes a blockchain-based certificate model for the IoT–Fog–Cloud architecture to authenticate IoT devices to fog devices and meet the authentication requirements. We evaluated the performance of the two proposed security models to determine their efficiency in real-life experiments of the IoT–Fog–Cloud architecture. The results demonstrate that the performance of the IoT–Fog–Cloud architecture with and without the blockchain-based certificate model was the same when using one, two, or three IoT devices. However, the performance of the IoT–Fog–Cloud architecture without the access control model was slightly better than that of the architecture with the model when using one, two, or three IoT devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wireless Sensor Networks: Technologies, Applications, Prospects)

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15 pages, 3557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sparking Innovation in a Crisis: An IoT Sensor Location-Based Early Warning System for Pandemic Control

by Igor Tasic and Maria-Dolores Cano

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(9), 4407; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12094407 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1546

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has recently brought attention to several acute human needs. However, it has also demonstrated how crisis can spark innovation in the context of information asymmetry and uncertainty. It has raised the importance of early warning systems (EWS) to prevent similar [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has recently brought attention to several acute human needs. However, it has also demonstrated how crisis can spark innovation in the context of information asymmetry and uncertainty. It has raised the importance of early warning systems (EWS) to prevent similar future events and prepare governments, organizations, and individuals in advance. Such efforts in innovating under uncertainty resemble the process entrepreneurs face when creating new ventures and launching new products and services. Moreover, the increasing adoption of mobile technologies associated with the surging Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications provides cues to a more extensive discussion about the adoption of sensor networks and applied artificial intelligence algorithms to benefit society and improve its relationship with data. Implementing IoT sensor location-based networks to help reduce community-transmitted infections can be a cost-effective solution that adds to broader pandemic control warning systems. In this paper, a novel predictive location-based early warning system is proposed. The system is able to measure people’s density, people flow, and behavior in specific areas of indoor and outdoor environments. Its implementation has been tested in a real public scenario, showing the capacity to operate flawlessly in real-time, thus addressing the needs of a trusted EWS for governments and organizations to manage event-led situations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wireless Sensor Networks: Technologies, Applications, Prospects)

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23 pages, 786 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reliable Fault Tolerant-Based Multipath Routing Model for Industrial Wireless Control Systems

by Hakim Abdulrab, Fawnizu Azmadi Hussin, Azrina Abd Aziz, Azlan Awang, Idris Ismail and P. Arun Mozhi Devan

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 544; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12020544 - 06 Jan 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2130

Abstract

Communication in industrial wireless networks necessitates reliability and precision. Besides, the existence of interference or traffic in the network must not affect the estimated network properties. Therefore, data packets have to be sent within a certain time frame and over a reliable connection. [...] Read more.

Communication in industrial wireless networks necessitates reliability and precision. Besides, the existence of interference or traffic in the network must not affect the estimated network properties. Therefore, data packets have to be sent within a certain time frame and over a reliable connection. However, the working scenarios and the characteristics of the network itself make it vulnerable to node or link faults, which impact the transmission reliability and overall performance. This article aims to introduce a developed multipath routing model, which leads to cost-effective planning, low latency and high reliability of industrial wireless mesh networks, such as the WirelessHART networks. The multipath routing model has three primary paths, and each path has a backup node. The backup node stores the data transmitted by the parent node to grant communication continuity when primary nodes fail. The multipath routing model is developed based on optimal network planning and deployment algorithm. Simulations were conducted on a WirelessHART simulator using Network Simulator (NS2). The performance of the developed model is compared with the state-of-the-art. The obtained results reveal a significant reduction in the average network latency, low power consumption, better improvement in expected network lifetime, and enhanced packet delivery ratio which improve network reliability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wireless Sensor Networks: Technologies, Applications, Prospects)

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19 pages, 9432 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing the Performance of WBAN Links during Physical Activity Using Real Multi-Band Sensor Nodes

by Alba Rozas, Alvaro Araujo and Jan M. Rabaey

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(7), 2920; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11072920 - 25 Mar 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2609

Abstract

Wireless body area networks (WBANs) present unique challenges due to their specific characteristics of mobility and over-the-body radio propagation. A huge amount of factors—both internal and external to the network—affect WBAN channel conditions, so a reliable and comprehensive theoretical model of these communications [...] Read more.

Wireless body area networks (WBANs) present unique challenges due to their specific characteristics of mobility and over-the-body radio propagation. A huge amount of factors—both internal and external to the network—affect WBAN channel conditions, so a reliable and comprehensive theoretical model of these communications is unfeasible and impractical in real scenarios. Thus, an empirical performance analysis of several WBAN channels is presented in this work, based on the receiver signal strength indicator (RSSI) and packet reception rate (PRR) metrics. Four different static and dynamic activities have been characterized: standing, sitting, cycling and walking. This analysis confirms the theoretical notions of path attenuation due to body parts obstructing the signal path, while serving as a benchmark for the design of future algorithms. The experiments have been carried out with real hardware nodes with wireless interfaces in three ISM bands: 433 MHz, 868 MHz and 2.4 GHz, evaluating the effect of the transmit power and node placement for different subjects. In all scenarios, the PRR metric reaches its maximum of 100% for both sub-GHz bands. Finally, our study concludes that the RSSI metric is sufficient to exploit the periodicity of dynamic activities, without the need for any extra hardware resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wireless Sensor Networks: Technologies, Applications, Prospects)

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21 pages, 7225 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Wireless Monitoring and Control of a Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System

by Jonathan Medina-García, Aránzazu D. Martín, Juan M. Cano, Juan A. Gómez-Galán and Adoración Hermoso

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2287; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052287 - 04 Mar 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1674

Abstract

The design, monitoring, and control of photovoltaic (PV) systems are complex tasks that are often handled together, and they are made even more difficult by introducing features such as real-time, sensor-based operation, wireless communication, and multiple sensor nodes. This paper proposes an integrated [...] Read more.

The design, monitoring, and control of photovoltaic (PV) systems are complex tasks that are often handled together, and they are made even more difficult by introducing features such as real-time, sensor-based operation, wireless communication, and multiple sensor nodes. This paper proposes an integrated approach to handle these tasks, in order to achieve a system efficient in tracking the maximum power and injecting the energy from the PV modules to the grid in the correct way. Control is performed by means of an adaptive Lyapunov maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for the DC/DC converters and a proportional integral (PI) control for the inverters, which are applied to the system using low latency wireless technology. The system solution exploits a low-cost wireless multi-sensor architecture installed in each DC/DC converter and in each inverter and equipped with voltage, current, irradiance, and temperature sensors. A host node provides effective control, management, and coordination of two relatively independent wireless sensor systems. Experimental validation shows that the controllers ensure maximum power transfer to the grid, injecting low harmonic distortion current, thus guaranteeing the robustness and stability of the system. The results verified that the MPPT efficiency is over 99%, even under perturbations and using wireless communication. Moreover, the converters’ efficiency remains high, i.e., for the DC/DC converter a mean value of 95.5% and for the inverter 93.3%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wireless Sensor Networks: Technologies, Applications, Prospects)

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18 pages, 7202 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Real-Time Extensive Livestock Monitoring Using LPWAN Smart Wearable and Infrastructure

by Roberto Casas, Arturo Hermosa, Álvaro Marco, Teresa Blanco and Francisco Javier Zarazaga-Soria

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 1240; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031240 - 29 Jan 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4457

Abstract

Extensive unsupervised livestock farming is a habitual technique in many places around the globe. Animal release can be done for months, in large areas and with different species packing and behaving very differently. Nevertheless, the farmer’s needs are similar: where livestock is (and [...] Read more.

Extensive unsupervised livestock farming is a habitual technique in many places around the globe. Animal release can be done for months, in large areas and with different species packing and behaving very differently. Nevertheless, the farmer’s needs are similar: where livestock is (and where has been) and how healthy they are. The geographical areas involved usually have difficult access with harsh orography and lack of communications infrastructure. This paper presents the design of a solution for extensive livestock monitoring in these areas. Our proposal is based in a wearable equipped with inertial sensors, global positioning system and wireless communications; and a Low-Power Wide Area Network infrastructure that can run with and without internet connection. Using adaptive analysis and data compression, we provide real-time monitoring and logging of cattle’s position and activities. Hardware and firmware design achieve very low energy consumption allowing months of battery life. We have thoroughly tested the devices in different laboratory setups and evaluated the system performance in real scenarios in the mountains and in the forest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wireless Sensor Networks: Technologies, Applications, Prospects)

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17 pages, 1830 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks: Estimation of Acoustic Channel in Shallow Water

by Elma Zanaj, Ennio Gambi, Blerina Zanaj, Deivis Disha and Nels Kola

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(18), 6393; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10186393 - 14 Sep 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2110

Abstract

Underwater sensor networks (UWSN) include a large number of devices and sensors which are positioned in a specific area to carry out monitoring in cooperation with each other as well as data collection. In this paper it has been studied and simulated the [...] Read more.

Underwater sensor networks (UWSN) include a large number of devices and sensors which are positioned in a specific area to carry out monitoring in cooperation with each other as well as data collection. In this paper it has been studied and simulated the performance of an extremely important parameter for communication in UWSN such as the acoustic channel capacity as function of water temperature and salinity arise. The performance’s knowledge on acoustic channel may be improved with a deep study of its dependence by season, weather conditions or environmental parameters variation. If an accurate estimation of the acoustic communication capacity utilization for a given area is required, we must consider also the bottom materials of this area. The simulation results presented in this study through an improved algorithm, will help to understand better the underwater acoustic channel performance as a function of all these factors. This is of particular importance for acoustic modems designing, in order to implement suitable functionalities able to adapt the data transmission capacity of the acoustic link to the structure of the oceanic bottom and its component material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wireless Sensor Networks: Technologies, Applications, Prospects)

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22 pages, 1465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Consumption Analysis of Beamforming and Cooperative Schemes for Aircraft Wireless Sensor Networks

by Seung-Hwan Kim, Jae-Woo Kim and Dong-Seong Kim

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 4374; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10124374 - 25 Jun 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2061

Abstract

In this paper, the eight schemes for aircraft wireless sensor networks are investigated, which are single-hop array beamforming schemes (including analog beamforming (ABF), and digital beamforming (DBF)), non-cooperative schemes (including single-hop and multi-hop schemes), cooperative schemes (including amplify and forward (AF), decode and [...] Read more.

In this paper, the eight schemes for aircraft wireless sensor networks are investigated, which are single-hop array beamforming schemes (including analog beamforming (ABF), and digital beamforming (DBF)), non-cooperative schemes (including single-hop and multi-hop schemes), cooperative schemes (including amplify and forward (AF), decode and forward (DF)), and incremental cooperative schemes (incremental decode and forward (IDF), and incremental amplify and forward (IAF)). To set up the aircraft wireless communication environment, we design the aircraft channel model by referring to the experimental parameters of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union)-R M.2283, which is composed of path loss, shadowing fading, and multi-path fading channel responses. To evaluate the performance, the conditions energy consumption and throughput analysis are performed. Through simulation results, the incremental cooperative scheme outperformed by 66.8% better at spectral efficiency 2 than the DBF scheme in terms of the energy consumption metric. Whereas, in terms of throughput metric, overall SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) ranged from −20 to 30 dB the beamforming scheme had the best performance in which the beamforming scheme at SNR 0 dB achieved 85.4% better than the multi-hop scheme. Finally, in terms of normalized throughput metric in low SNR range between −20 and 1 dB the ABF scheme had the best performance over the others in which the ABF at SNR 0 dB achieved 75.4% better than the multi-hop scheme. Whereas, in high SNR range between 2 and 30 dB the IDF scheme had the best performance in which the IDF at SNR 10 dB achieved 62.2% better than the multi-hop scheme. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wireless Sensor Networks: Technologies, Applications, Prospects)

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