Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SINet (Software-defined Intermittent Networking)
Teaser
In the ever-growing Internet of Things (IoT), Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) play an increasingly important role, with a strong demand for robust solutions in extreme environments. The aim of this project was to develop a networking solution that handles the intermittent...
Summary
In the ever-growing Internet of Things (IoT), Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) play an increasingly important role, with a strong demand for robust solutions in extreme environments. The aim of this project was to develop a networking solution that handles the intermittent communication links that characterise such environments.
An integrated communication system for intermittent links in the Arctic is the main objective of this work. The conducted research drew on past experiences on routing and Software-Defined Networking to tackle heterogeneity and improve overall networking robustness. The achieved outcomes were aligned with the H2020 Blue Growth challenges on the effects of Arctic changes, defining a networking solution that removes the need for costly and dangerous human expeditions for data collection.
Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, being closely tied with life on Earth and climate changes. In addition to the direct impact on the Earth’s biosphere, the oceans are crucial for freight transportation among other sectors of economic value such as fishing, petroleum, minerals and tourism. Various types of manned and unmanned vehicles, as well as infrastructures such as oil platforms, fish farms, buoys and sensor systems, rely on various Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and currently conduct operations in oceans and seas across the world. Despite the rapid development of ICT and autonomous systems in specific scenarios, their continuous wide integration in maritime environments still faces many challenges. SINet addresses some of the existing issues focusing on networking in high-latitude regions, such as the Arctic. This is achieved by integrating networking protocols and techniques targeting the use of unmanned vehicles and small-satellites as communication enablers of the Internet of Arctic Things.
Work performed
Experimentation and evaluation activities were conducted throughout the duration of the Software-defined Intermittent Networking (SINet) project. These represent the main results achieved and included a trial experiment on board of the vessel Gunnerus, the analysis of real-world Internet of Things (IoT) equipment and other experiments based on both simulation and emulation.
The main focus of each of the performed experiments and evaluations can be summarised in 4 items:
- UAVs as Data-mules: The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has been widely discussed in the literature but very few real-world experiments have been conducted. This experiment analysed their potential in maritime settings for gathering large amounts of data.
- Small Satellites Communication: Emulation/Simulation study regarding the feasibility of a freely-drifting swarm of low-cost smallsats to support networking in the Arctic region, where infrastructures are non-existent or inadequate for a wide range of applications.
- Robustness & Interoperability: Interoperability experiments between Very High Frequency (VHF) and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) technologies using real-hardware, IPv6 over Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Network (6LoWPAN), IP version 6 (IPv6) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN).
- Resource-constrained IoT: An experimental study regarding solar-energy availability, complementing low-overhead networking protocols with resource-awareness and management.
Dissemination resulted both from presentations in different events and preliminary peer-reviewed publications. Another form of promotion has taken place through the publishing of bug reports in open-source software repositories. In particular, throughout SINet activities, bugs on the Linux kernel, two different CoAP implementations, Docker and Contiki have been reported. In this scope SINet has contributed with patches to fix the reported bugs, as well as improvements, which were later included in some of the main distributions (i.e. master branch).
Exploitation activities are focused on engaging industrial actors in order to adequately use SINet’s results. These have limited visibility but nonetheless interest and future possibilities have been registered by contacts established with the industry. In particular, a meeting at Ericsson Poland is taking place soon after the end of the project with the goal of exploiting obtained results and addressing customers’ pain-points. Additionally, exploitation of the acquired knowledge throughout the conducted research also targeted new research projects, with one successful outcome.
The following list contains the venues where SINet was presented, discussing its goals and results, as well as the importance of Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions in the promotion of mobility between researchers. These activities were mostly focused on academic audiences, but also included the presence of the industry in some workshops.
The exploitation of SINet results has been focused on ensuring the continuation of research activities related to networking in challenging and resource constrained environments. In order to achieve this goal, I have contacted different potential partners, presenting concepts related to SINet in face-to-face meetings, conference calls and dedicated events. The main outcome from these endeavours was the successful acceptance of the ART research project, involving colleagues from multi-disciplinary areas at NTNU.
Final results
The impact of the foreseen activities is in accordance with European initiatives, creating opportunities for the modernisation and efficiency of European stakeholders. This project resorted to pioneering ICT-based solutions, including multi-disciplinary fields such as Unmanned Vehicles and Satellite links for providing network connectivity in remote locations.
In addition to all the scientific publications several educational activities have been conducted, having a direct impact on how the importance of communications in challenging environments is perceived.
In order to reach non-specialist audiences SINet was present online, on media and in public events promoting ongoing research activities:
• Website and twitter account for 60 publications in total, with 2445 website views in 60 countries
• Interview with Gemini NTNU&SINTEF regarding the proximity of IoT ;
• ERCIM news article on Machine Learning for resource-constrained IoT ;
• Interview to Euraxess Norway, presenting the view of mobility and research abroad, reflecting the fellow’s own experience with SINet ;
• Researchers’ Night 2016 and 2017 (poster & stand; lecture), with over 1200 visitors each year.
From a socio-economic impact perspective, direct contributions to existing networking applications and software were a result from SINet, with open-source contributions found at: https://github.com/palmaITEM
Website & more info
More info: https://sinet.item.ntnu.no.