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Search Results (7,088)

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Keywords = wireless communications

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23 pages, 630 KB  
Article
Depth-First Search-Based Malicious Node Detection with Honeypot Technology in Wireless Sensor Networks
by Sercan Demirci, Doğan Yıldız, Durmuş Özkan Şahin and Asmaa Alaadin
Mathematics 2026, 14(6), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14061050 - 20 Mar 2026
Abstract
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are highly susceptible to Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks due to their resource-constrained and distributed nature. In this study, we propose a novel trust-based malicious node detection mechanism that leverages a Depth-First Search (DFS) strategy to trace and identify attack sources [...] Read more.
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are highly susceptible to Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks due to their resource-constrained and distributed nature. In this study, we propose a novel trust-based malicious node detection mechanism that leverages a Depth-First Search (DFS) strategy to trace and identify attack sources within clustered WSN architectures efficiently. The proposed approach dynamically evaluates trust scores between nodes to detect anomalous behaviors and employs a honeypot-based redirection system to isolate compromised nodes from the main communication flow. This combination enhances detection accuracy while minimizing false positives and energy overhead. The method is implemented and evaluated using a custom simulation environment. Comparative experimental results against state-of-the-art techniques such as the Evolved Trust Updating Mechanism (EVO) and Multi-agent Trust-based Intrusion Detection System (MULTI) demonstrate that our Trust-Based Honeypot (TBHP) achieves superior performance in terms of detection rate, false-alarm rate, and network lifetime extension. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Advances in Security, Privacy, and Trust)
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29 pages, 1632 KB  
Article
Context-Aware Software-Defined Wireless Networks: An AI-Based Approach to Deal with QoS
by Dainier González Romero, Sergio F. Ochoa and Rodrigo M. Santos
Future Internet 2026, 18(3), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi18030162 - 19 Mar 2026
Abstract
Many IoT systems require real-time communication, which imposes strict timing constraints on data transmission and stresses network propagation models. These systems need to address these communication requirements using wireless networks and also manage quality of service. While Software-Defined Wireless Networks (SDWNs) offer a [...] Read more.
Many IoT systems require real-time communication, which imposes strict timing constraints on data transmission and stresses network propagation models. These systems need to address these communication requirements using wireless networks and also manage quality of service. While Software-Defined Wireless Networks (SDWNs) offer a compelling alternative for these scenarios, they lack dynamic mechanisms to autonomously adapt network behavior to fluctuating operational conditions. In order to do that, this paper builds on the authors’ previous work and shows how to implement Context-Aware Software-Defined Wireless Networks (CA-SDWNs) that use a self-adapting traffic management strategy to deal with dynamic real-time requirements. In particular, it adapts the medium access protocol parameters to changes in the operational context using an intelligent agent in the control loop of the network. We implement the CA-SDWN model using the NS-3 simulator, and that implementation is made available for researchers and developers through an open-source library. The model is evaluated using several SDWNs that operate under dynamic conditions. The experimental results show how incorporating artificial intelligence into the control loop enables the use of the context information to enhance the predictability of the medium access protocol parameters, thus handling different traffic QoS according to the demand of IoT applications. It represents a clear contribution for researchers and developers of these systems when they have to deal with QoS and real-time constrained communication in SDWNs implemented on WiFi. Full article
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26 pages, 3627 KB  
Article
Multi-Radio Access Fusion with Contrastive Graph Message Passing Neural Networks for Intelligent Maritime Routing
by Xuan Zhou, Jin Chen and Haitao Lin
Electronics 2026, 15(6), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15061268 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 60
Abstract
Maritime heterogeneous wireless networks are characterized by dynamic topology and significant heterogeneity in bandwidth, latency, and coverage across communication paradigms, rendering traditional terrestrial routing protocols inadequate. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a unified multi-radio access fusion infrastructure featuring a gateway that [...] Read more.
Maritime heterogeneous wireless networks are characterized by dynamic topology and significant heterogeneity in bandwidth, latency, and coverage across communication paradigms, rendering traditional terrestrial routing protocols inadequate. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a unified multi-radio access fusion infrastructure featuring a gateway that enables protocol conversion and collaborative resource management across heterogeneous systems. Building upon this infrastructure, we introduce CMPGNN-DQN, an intelligent routing algorithm that integrates Contrastive Message Passing Graph Neural Networks with Deep Reinforcement Learning. Specifically, the algorithm employs k-hop neighbor aggregation to expand the receptive field for routing decisions, and utilizes a dual-view contrastive learning mechanism—encompassing both homogeneous and heterogeneous perspectives—to enhance representation robustness against dynamic topology perturbations. By deeply fusing network topology features with real-time state information, including bandwidth, delay, and queue length, the agent makes hop-by-hop routing decisions via an ε-greedy policy within the DQN framework. Extensive simulations conducted across various scales of dynamic maritime communication scenarios demonstrate that CMPGNN-DQN outperforms state-of-the-art benchmark algorithms, including AODV, DQN, and GCN, across key metrics such as packet delivery ratio, transmission latency, and bandwidth utilization. Quantitatively, compared to the best-performing alternative (MPNN-DQN), our algorithm achieves throughput improvements of 2.06–5.04% under standard traffic loads and 6.6–27.1% under partial link failure conditions, while converging within merely 25 training episodes. Notably, under heavy network loads (40% load rate) or partial link failures, the algorithm maintains stable communication performance, demonstrating strong adaptability to complex dynamic environments. Full article
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17 pages, 5722 KB  
Article
Compact Modified Quatrefoil-Shaped Antenna with Dual-Circularly Polarized 28/38 GHz for 5G and Beyond Millimeter-Wave Applications
by Asmaa E. Farahat and Khalid F. A. Hussein
Sensors 2026, 26(6), 1890; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26061890 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 126
Abstract
This paper presents a compact dual-band circularly polarized (CP) antenna designed for millimeter-wave applications at 28 and 38 GHz, which are critical for emerging 5G and beyond wireless communication systems. The single-element antenna features an ultra-small radiating patch of size 3.34 mm × [...] Read more.
This paper presents a compact dual-band circularly polarized (CP) antenna designed for millimeter-wave applications at 28 and 38 GHz, which are critical for emerging 5G and beyond wireless communication systems. The single-element antenna features an ultra-small radiating patch of size 3.34 mm × 3.34 mm and overall substrate footprint of 8 mm × 16 mm, implemented on a Rogers RO3003 substrate with a relative permittivity of 3 and thickness of 0.25 mm, making it highly suitable for space-constrained millimeter-wave front-end integration. Circular polarization is successfully achieved at both bands, with measured axial ratios of 1.4 dB at 28 GHz and 2.2 dB at 38 GHz. Surface current distribution is thoroughly analyzed at both frequencies, showing proper rotation and confirming the antenna’s ability to generate strong circular polarization. The antenna also exhibits high radiation efficiency (~87% at 28 GHz and ~82% at 38 GHz) and peak realized gains of 7.5 dBi and 5.5 dBi, respectively. Measured results demonstrate excellent impedance matching, stable radiation patterns, and strong agreement with simulations. The combination of compact size, robust CP performance, and efficient radiation makes the proposed antenna a promising candidate for circularly polarized millimeter-wave systems, including 5G base stations, user equipment, and future high-frequency wireless platforms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Millimeter-Wave Antennas for 5G—2nd Edition)
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27 pages, 3124 KB  
Article
Towards Improving Air Quality Monitoring Using Fixed and Mobile Stations: Case of Mohammedia City
by Adil El Arfaoui, Mohamed El Khaili, Imane Chakir, Oumaima Arif, Hasna Nhaila, Ismail Essamlali and Mohamed Tabaa
Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2944; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062944 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 156
Abstract
The growth of human activity in cities is a key factor in the degradation of air quality. Numerous studies have demonstrated the link between air quality and the existence of dangerous and chronic diseases that are extremely costly for individuals and society. This [...] Read more.
The growth of human activity in cities is a key factor in the degradation of air quality. Numerous studies have demonstrated the link between air quality and the existence of dangerous and chronic diseases that are extremely costly for individuals and society. This study presents an analytical framework that compares fixed and mobile air-quality monitoring approaches in cities with limited resources, using Mohammedia city, Morocco, as an example. The framework centers on mobile monitoring units mounted on vehicles and equipped with affordable sensors, GPS technology, and wireless communication systems to track important pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and harmful gaseous compounds (NO2, SO2, CO, O3). The evaluation relies on scenario-based modeling, performance data from existing literature, and calculations of costs throughout the system’s lifetime. To enhance measurement reliability, the researchers developed a correction system that addresses measurement errors caused by temperature, humidity, vehicle speed, vibrations, traffic-related interference, operational interruptions, and communication limitations. The findings indicate that fixed monitoring stations deliver superior measurement precision, with estimated uncertainty ranging from ±1.2–2.5%, though their coverage area is restricted to 0.534 km2 (representing 1.6% of Mohammedia). In comparison, the suggested mobile setup could potentially monitor 9.8 km2, covering approximately 30% of the city, while decreasing infrastructure needs and setup time (2–4 h compared to 2–4 weeks). Over 10 years, the total cost is EUR 252,000 for mobile monitoring, compared with EUR 3.6 million for a network of 20 fixed stations. These results demonstrate that corrected mobile monitoring systems offer significant promise as an economical and sustainable approach for managing urban environmental conditions. Full article
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18 pages, 2588 KB  
Article
State Observer Design for LCC-S Wireless Power Transfer Systems Based on State-Space Modeling
by Xin Geng, Jixing Wang, Shengying Guo and Jiapeng Wang
Vehicles 2026, 8(3), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles8030063 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 134
Abstract
In wireless power transfer (WPT) systems, magnetically coupled wireless power transfer has become a major research focus due to its advantages such as long transmission distance, strong tolerance to misalignment, and high power transfer capability. It is also widely applied in vehicle wireless [...] Read more.
In wireless power transfer (WPT) systems, magnetically coupled wireless power transfer has become a major research focus due to its advantages such as long transmission distance, strong tolerance to misalignment, and high power transfer capability. It is also widely applied in vehicle wireless power transfer systems. From the perspective of practical engineering applications, this paper investigates the problem of system parameter variations caused by changes in inductance and load, in combination with magnetically coupled structures. During actual system operation, misalignment of the coupling mechanism leads to variations in mutual inductance, while the load resistance may also fluctuate. These parameter changes result in alterations to the overall output characteristics of the system, which are detrimental to stable system operation. Moreover, adopting a dual-side communication control strategy is susceptible to interference from the system’s power circuitry. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel state variable modeling method and designs a state observer based on the extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm to estimate the secondary-side parameters, thereby enabling observation of the voltage across the load at the receiver side. The state observer is configured with two operating modes to monitor variations in mutual inductance and load resistance. The observer outputs are compared with the actual load-side voltage, and the effectiveness of the proposed state observer is verified. Full article
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38 pages, 5319 KB  
Article
Hybrid Deep Neural Network and Particle Swarm Optimization for Energy-Efficient Node Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks
by Thi-Kien Dao and Trong-The Nguyen
Symmetry 2026, 18(3), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18030509 - 16 Mar 2026
Viewed by 163
Abstract
Accurate node localization in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is challenging under variable signal propagation and strict energy constraints. This paper presents a hybrid localization framework that combines a deep neural network (DNN) with particle swarm optimization (PSO) to improve accuracy while reducing energy [...] Read more.
Accurate node localization in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is challenging under variable signal propagation and strict energy constraints. This paper presents a hybrid localization framework that combines a deep neural network (DNN) with particle swarm optimization (PSO) to improve accuracy while reducing energy consumption. The DNN learns the non-linear mapping from received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements to node coordinates, mitigating propagation effects. PSO jointly optimizes key DNN hyperparameters and selects a minimal subset of anchor nodes that preserve localization performance, thereby lowering communication overhead. Simulation results on 200-node networks show that the proposed DNN–PSO achieves a mean localization error (MLE) of 0.87 m, outperforming a standard DNN (1.32 m) and classical multilateration (3.84 m). The optimized anchor selection reduces per-cycle energy consumption by 23% (239 mJ to 184 mJ) while maintaining sub-meter accuracy. Performance remains stable across diverse propagation conditions and scales well with increasing network size. These results indicate that the proposed approach provides an effective accuracy–energy trade-off for resource-constrained IoT/WSN deployments requiring reliable localization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Computer)
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47 pages, 4135 KB  
Article
Adaptive Compressed Sensing Differential Privacy Federated Learning Based on Orbital Spatiotemporal Characteristics in Space–Air–Ground Networks
by Weibang Li, Ling Li and Lidong Zhu
Sensors 2026, 26(6), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26061874 - 16 Mar 2026
Viewed by 107
Abstract
With the development of 6G communication technology, Space–Air–Ground Integrated Networks (SAGINs) have become critical infrastructure for global intelligent collaborative computing. However, federated learning deployment in SAGINs faces three severe challenges: the high dynamics of satellite orbital motion, node resource heterogeneity, and privacy vulnerabilities [...] Read more.
With the development of 6G communication technology, Space–Air–Ground Integrated Networks (SAGINs) have become critical infrastructure for global intelligent collaborative computing. However, federated learning deployment in SAGINs faces three severe challenges: the high dynamics of satellite orbital motion, node resource heterogeneity, and privacy vulnerabilities in data transmission. This paper proposes an adaptive compressed sensing differential privacy federated learning framework based on orbital spatiotemporal characteristics. First, we design orbital periodicity-driven time-varying sparse sensing matrices that dynamically adjust compression strategies according to satellite orbital positions, achieving intelligent communication efficiency optimization. Second, we propose an orbital predictability-based privacy budget temporal allocation mechanism and perform differential privacy noise injection in the compressed domain, establishing a compression–privacy joint optimization algorithm. Furthermore, we construct an energy–communication–privacy ternary collaborative mechanism that achieves multi-objective dynamic balance through model predictive control. Finally, we design reinforcement learning-based dynamic routing scheduling and hierarchical aggregation strategies to effectively handle the time-varying characteristics of network topology. Simulation experiments demonstrate that compared to existing methods, the proposed approach achieves 3–12% improvement in model accuracy and 30–50% enhancement in communication efficiency while maintaining differential privacy protection with dynamic privacy budget ε[0.1,10.0] and compression ratio ρ[0.2,0.8]. Unlike static compressed sensing approaches that ignore orbital periodicity, the proposed orbital-driven time-varying sensing matrices reduce reconstruction error by up to 19.4% compared to fixed-matrix baselines, validating the synergistic effectiveness of integrating orbital spatiotemporal characteristics with federated learning in 6G SAGIN deployments. The framework assumes reliable orbital propagation via SGP4/SDP4 models and does not account for Doppler frequency shifts or inter-satellite link handover delays; future extensions include scalability to mega-constellations and integration of quantum-resistant privacy mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Communications)
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43 pages, 6922 KB  
Article
Multi-Flow Hybrid Task Offloading Scheme for Multimodal High-Load V2I Services
by Weiqi Luo, Yaqi Hu, Maoqiang Wu, Yijie Zhou, Rong Yu and Junbin Qin
Electronics 2026, 15(6), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15061229 - 16 Mar 2026
Viewed by 263
Abstract
In the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), connected vehicles generate high-load perception tasks with large-scale and multimodal sensitive data, imposing strict requirements on latency, computing, and privacy. Existing solutions still suffer from high task service latency and privacy risks. To address these issues, this [...] Read more.
In the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), connected vehicles generate high-load perception tasks with large-scale and multimodal sensitive data, imposing strict requirements on latency, computing, and privacy. Existing solutions still suffer from high task service latency and privacy risks. To address these issues, this paper proposes an integrated framework that jointly considers multi-flow task offloading, adaptive privacy preservation, and latency-aware resource incentive mechanism. Specifically, we propose a Location-Aware and Trust-based (LA-Trust) dual-node task offloading algorithm based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL), which treats pre-partitioned subtasks as multiple parallel flows and enables flow-level collaborative offloading optimization across neighboring nodes, allows subtask data uploading and processing to proceed concurrently, and incorporates node security into decision making. To further enhance privacy protection, a Distribution-Aware Local Differential Privacy (DA-LDP) algorithm is designed to adaptively inject artificial noise according to data heterogeneity, balancing privacy protection and task execution accuracy. In addition, a Delay-Cost Reverse Auction (DC-RA) algorithm is proposed to further reduce latency by introducing wireless channel modeling between idle vehicles and edge nodes into the incentive mechanism. Experimental results show that the proposed framework improves task execution accuracy by 38% and reduces offloading cost, delay, incentive cost, and auction communication latency by 64.41%, 64.64%, 19%, and 44%, respectively, while more than 60% of tasks are offloaded to high-trust nodes. Full article
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36 pages, 5742 KB  
Article
EEDC: Energy-Efficient Distance-Controlled Clustering for Bottleneck Avoidance in Wireless Sensor Networks
by Ahmad Abuashour, Yahia Jazyah and Naser Zaeri
IoT 2026, 7(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/iot7010029 - 15 Mar 2026
Viewed by 177
Abstract
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) commonly employ clustering to improve scalability and energy efficiency; however, cluster heads (CHs) located near the base station (BS) often suffer from excessive relay traffic, leading to rapid energy depletion and reduced network lifetime. This article proposes an Energy-Efficient [...] Read more.
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) commonly employ clustering to improve scalability and energy efficiency; however, cluster heads (CHs) located near the base station (BS) often suffer from excessive relay traffic, leading to rapid energy depletion and reduced network lifetime. This article proposes an Energy-Efficient Distance-Controlled Clustering (EEDC) scheme that adjusts CH density and transmission power according to each node’s distance from the BS. In EEDC, a higher number of CHs is deployed near the BS to balance forwarding loads, while fewer CHs are selected in distant regions to conserve energy. Additionally, CHs adapt their transmission power to enable distance-proportional communication. A mathematical model is developed to analyze the relationship between CH distribution, transmission power, and overall energy consumption. Performance evaluation is conducted through simulations and compared with LEACH, HEED, DEEC, SEP, and EECS. The results show that EEDC improves the stability period by up to 42%, extends network lifetime by 23%, increases average residual energy by 13–29%, enhances throughput by 16–44%, and achieves 23–61% higher packet delivery efficiency. Moreover, cumulative CH energy consumption is reduced by 5–21%, leading to more balanced energy distribution. These findings indicate that distance-controlled CH selection and adaptive transmission power effectively alleviate the BS energy bottleneck and enhance the energy efficiency and operational longevity of clustered WSNs. Full article
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25 pages, 6379 KB  
Article
A Wireless Sensor Platform for Beehive Monitoring
by Sudipta Das Gupta, Jeffrey Erickson, Joseph Rinehart, Benjamin D. Braaten and Sulaymon Eshkabilov
Sensors 2026, 26(6), 1846; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26061846 - 15 Mar 2026
Viewed by 162
Abstract
Honey bees are very important to the ecological environment and human society, contributing significantly to biodiversity and global food security, with an estimated annual impact of $15 billion in crop pollination in the USA. Over 62% of honey bee colony decline has been [...] Read more.
Honey bees are very important to the ecological environment and human society, contributing significantly to biodiversity and global food security, with an estimated annual impact of $15 billion in crop pollination in the USA. Over 62% of honey bee colony decline has been observed between June 2024 and February 2025. This study investigates bee stress level monitoring due to external disturbances like mechanical vibrations by measuring internal air temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 gas concentration levels of beehives. A new wireless sensor board for real-time monitoring of honey bee colonies was designed, built, and validated. The board incorporates NDIR-based SCD30 and SCD41 sensors for CO2, temperature, and humidity monitoring, integrated with a custom-designed two-layer printed circuit board and a Particle ArgonTM microprocessor for Wi-Fi communication. The developed board was tested and validated with live beehives in summer and winter of 2024 and 2025. The experimental study results showed the adequacy of the built sensor board. Bee colony responses on the applied stimuli (knocks) show that bees responded with a temperature increase of over 5 °C, CO2 concentration increase by 3000 to over 10,000 ppm, and, at the same time, relative humidity drop by about 10% inside beehives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Harvesting Self-Powered Sensing and Smart Monitoring)
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17 pages, 539 KB  
Article
Wavelet-Based Error-Correcting Codes: Performance Comparison with BCH in Modern Channels
by Alla Levina and Sergey Boyko
Mathematics 2026, 14(6), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14060993 - 14 Mar 2026
Viewed by 112
Abstract
Reliable data transmission over noisy channels requires effective error-correcting codes. While classical algebraic constructions, such as Bose–Chaudhuri–Hocquenghem (BCH) codes, remain industry standards, structured alternatives based on discrete wavelet transforms offer potential benefits in terms of implementation complexity and error resilience. This study presents [...] Read more.
Reliable data transmission over noisy channels requires effective error-correcting codes. While classical algebraic constructions, such as Bose–Chaudhuri–Hocquenghem (BCH) codes, remain industry standards, structured alternatives based on discrete wavelet transforms offer potential benefits in terms of implementation complexity and error resilience. This study presents a comparative analysis of BCH and wavelet-based linear block codes, focusing on their error-correction capability and overall performance under realistic wireless channel conditions. This work evaluates both coding schemes across five channel models: additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), Rayleigh fading, sinusoidal attenuation, multiplicative Gaussian noise, and a composite Rayleigh-plus-sinusoid channel. Performance is assessed using bit error rate (BER), frame error rate (FER), and decoding reliability across a range of signal-to-noise ratios. Results show that wavelet codes achieve error-correction performance comparable to or slightly better than BCH in most channels. Notably, they demonstrate a consistent advantage in scenarios with periodic or slow-varying interference, outperforming BCH starting from the 1.5 dB SNR threshold where the wavelet code achieves a BER reduction of up to 48% and a 37.5% improvement in FER, significantly enhancing decoding reliability in structured noise environments. These findings indicate that wavelet-based codes are not only viable but, in specific practical environments characterized by structured noise, represent a superior alternative for robust and reliable communication systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section E1: Mathematics and Computer Science)
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58 pages, 10581 KB  
Review
Hydrogels—Advanced Polymer Platforms for Drug Delivery
by Rodica Ene (Vatcu), Andreea-Teodora Iacob, Iuliu Fulga, Maria Luisa Di Gioia, Ionut Dragostin, Ana Fulga, Sangram Keshari Samal and Oana-Maria Dragostin
Polymers 2026, 18(6), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18060709 - 14 Mar 2026
Viewed by 456
Abstract
Optimizing drug administration remains a central challenge in the development of modern therapies, especially in the context of conditions that require spatiotemporal control of active substance release. In this context, hydrogels have been intensively investigated as polymeric platforms for drug delivery, through their [...] Read more.
Optimizing drug administration remains a central challenge in the development of modern therapies, especially in the context of conditions that require spatiotemporal control of active substance release. In this context, hydrogels have been intensively investigated as polymeric platforms for drug delivery, through their three-dimensional hydrophilic structure, tunable properties, and compatibility with biological environments. This analysis presents an integrated approach to hydrogels used in drug administration, addressing the physicochemical fundamentals, the constitutive polymeric materials, and the mechanisms of response to relevant physiological stimuli. Recent experimental studies have been discussed, which highlight the use of hydrogels based on natural, synthetic, and hybrid polymers for controlled and targeted release, in correlation with various administration routes, including oral, injectable, transmucosal, and topical ones. Advanced functionalization strategies that allow adaptive responses to pH, temperature, glucose, enzymes, and reactive oxygen species are also analyzed. Furthermore, emerging directions integrating hydrogels with biosensors, microdevices, and wireless communication systems for real-time monitoring and on-demand release are highlighted. Overall, the analysis emphasizes the role of smart hydrogels as multifunctional platforms for complex therapeutic strategies while also underlining the current challenges associated with clinical translation and long-term performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications)
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17 pages, 13727 KB  
Article
Ultra-Miniaturized Dual-Band MIMO Antenna for Biomedical Implantable Devices in Wireless Health Monitoring Systems
by Tahir Bashir, Shunbiao Chen, Guanjie Feng, Yunqi Cao and Wei Li
Biosensors 2026, 16(3), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios16030163 - 14 Mar 2026
Viewed by 121
Abstract
This paper proposed an ultra-miniaturized four-port dual-band multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna designed for wireless biomedical implantable devices, including wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) and cardiac leadless pacemakers. The antenna supports operation in the wireless medical telemetry service (WMTS) band of 1.395–1.4 GHz and the [...] Read more.
This paper proposed an ultra-miniaturized four-port dual-band multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna designed for wireless biomedical implantable devices, including wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) and cardiac leadless pacemakers. The antenna supports operation in the wireless medical telemetry service (WMTS) band of 1.395–1.4 GHz and the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band of 2.4–2.4835 GHz for wireless power transfer and data telemetry applications. Miniaturization is achieved through a partial meandered structural configuration, yielding an overall size of 8 × 6.4 × 0.5 mm3. The antenna is encapsulated within implantable biomedical devices containing batteries, sensors, and electronic components, and evaluated in both homogeneous and realistic heterogeneous body phantoms, including the large intestine and heart. The full-wave electromagnetic simulation results demonstrate good performance, including reflection coefficients of −31.19 dB and −30.07 dB, gains of −27.5 dBi and −17.5 dBi, −10 dB impedance bandwidths of 170 MHz and 370 MHz, mutual coupling below 20 dB, and fractional bandwidths of 12.2% and 15.1% at 1.4 GHz and 2.45 GHz, respectively. Specific absorption rate (SAR) analysis satisfies implantation safety limits. Link budget analysis confirms reliable communication over distances more than 20 m in both frequency bands with high-data rates up to 100 Mbps. MIMO channel parameters such as envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), diversity gain (DG), channel capacity loss (CCL), and total active reflection coefficient (TARC) confirm the usefulness of the proposed MIMO antenna. Consequently, the proposed MIMO antenna emerges as a highly promising candidate with, ultra-miniaturization, isolation, multiband operation ability with omnidirectional-like radiation pattern characteristics for several biomedical implants in wireless health monitoring systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Biosensors for Biomedical Applications)
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26 pages, 4680 KB  
Article
Energy-Efficient Access Point Switch On/Off in Cell-Free Massive MIMO Using Proximal Policy Optimization
by Guillermo García-Barrios, Alberto Alonso and Manuel Fuentes
Electronics 2026, 15(6), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15061219 - 14 Mar 2026
Viewed by 121
Abstract
The increasing densification of cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) networks makes access point switch on/off (ASO) a key mechanism for improving energy efficiency in future wireless systems. While reinforcement learning (RL) has been explored for ASO, differences in modeling assumptions and evaluation scope [...] Read more.
The increasing densification of cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) networks makes access point switch on/off (ASO) a key mechanism for improving energy efficiency in future wireless systems. While reinforcement learning (RL) has been explored for ASO, differences in modeling assumptions and evaluation scope leave open questions regarding robustness and scalability. In this work, ASO is investigated from an explicit energy-efficiency perspective using a RL framework based on Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO). The policy learns state-dependent AP activation under partial observability using compact per-access point (AP) large-scale fading statistics and power parameters, without requiring instantaneous small-scale channel state information or combinatorial search, enabling practical online implementation. A comprehensive evaluation is conducted under a unified and reproducible simulation framework across three cell-free deployment scenarios of increasing size that preserve AP density while incorporating realistic channel and power consumption models. Performance is assessed through both average and distribution-based metrics. Numerical results show that the PPO-based policy consistently outperforms random activation and the all-on baseline, achieving energy-efficiency improvements of up to 66% and nearly 50%, respectively, while activating a comparable number of APs. Moreover, the learned policy maintains robust performance as the network scales, reducing the likelihood of highly energy-inefficient operating regimes. Full article
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