Open Access
Analysis and implementation of wireless communications systems and IoT with human body interference in inhomogeneous environments
(2021) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; Klaina, Hicham; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; López Iturri, Peio; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
The Integration of wireless communication systems is one of the main drivers of the development of the future connected society. However, this will cause challenges due to the non-static channel effect and interference impact. For this reason, a research work is proposed that enables to obtain optimal node location in relation to radio planning tasks (coverage/capacity analysis, number of lost packets, devices’ consumption...), as well as to characterize the environments considering obstacles and human body being, in terms of the received power level in the complete simulation volume and at the time domain level. This will help derive wireless channel models taking into account real channel variations to deploy a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and reduce the impact on wireless systems performance.
Open Access
Analysis of inter-train wireless connectivity to enable context aware rail applications
(Springer, 2021) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Train systems are fundamental players within multi-modal transit systems, providing efficient transportation means for passengers and goods. In the framework of Smart Cities and Smart Regions, providing context aware environments is compulsory in order to take full advantage of system integration, with updated information exchange among Intelligent Transportation system deployments. In this work, inter-train wireless system connectivity is analyzed with the aid of deterministic 3D wireless channel approximations, with the aim of obtaining estimations of frequency/power volumetric channel distributions, as well as time domain characteristics, for different frequency bands. The results show the impact of the complex inter-train scenario conditions, which require precise channel modelling in order to perform optimal network design, planning and optimization tasks.
Open Access
Design and experimental validation of an augmented reality system with wireless integration for context aware enhanced show experience in auditoriums
(IEEE, 2021) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; Vidal Balea, A.; Blanco Novoa, Óscar; López Iturri, Peio; Fraga Lamas, Paula; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Fernández Caramés, Tiago M.; Klaina, Hicham; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
The development of multiple cultural and social related activities, such as shows related with the performing arts, conferences or presentations rely on facilities such as auditoriums, theatres and conference sites, which are progressively including multiple technological features in order to enhance user experience. There are still however situations in which user experience is limited owing to lack of environment adaption, such as people with disabilities. In this sense, the adoption of Context Aware paradigms within auditoriums can provide adequate functionalities in order to comply with specific needs. This work is aimed at demonstrating the feasibility in enhancing user experience (e.g., improving the autonomy of disabled people) within auditorium and theatre environments, by means of an Augmented Reality (AR) device (HoloLens smart glasses) with wireless system integration. To carry out the demonstration, different elements to build AR applications are described and tested. First, an intensive measurement campaign was performed in a real auditorium in the city of Pamplona (Baluarte Congress Center) in order to evaluate the feasibility of using Wi-Fi enabled AR devices in a complex wireless propagation scenario. The results show that these environments exhibit high levels of interference, owing to the co-existence and non-coordinated operation of multiple wireless communication systems, such as on site and temporary Wi-Fi access points, wireless microphones or communications systems used by performers, staff and users. Deterministic wireless channel estimation based in volumetric 3D Ray Launching have been obtained for the complete scenario volume, in order to assess quality of service metrics. For illustration purposes, a user-friendly application to help hearing impaired people was developed and its main features were tested in the auditorium. Such an application provides users with a 3D virtual space to visualize useful multimedia content like subtitles or additional information about the show, as well as an integrated call button. © 2013 IEEE.
Open Access
Aggregator to electric vehicle LoRaWAN based communication analysis in vehicle-to-grid systems in smart cities
(IEEE, 2020) Klaina, Hicham; Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas
Recently, there has been growing attention to the power grid management due to the increasing concerns on global warming. With the advancement in electric vehicles (EV) industry and the evolution in batteries, EVs become an important contributor to the grid with capability of bidirectional power exchange with the grid. In this context, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) systems enable multiple functionalities between EVs and the corresponding aggregator. Thus, reliable, long-range communication capabilities between aggregator and EVs is compulsory. In this paper, wireless channel analysis for aggregator and electrical vehicle communication using Long-Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) technology in V2G is presented, in order to test a low-cost solution with large coverage and reduced power consumption profile. Wireless channel and system-level measurements have been performed in a real urban scenario between EV's charging station in Pamplona (Spain) and a vehicle in motion using LoRaWAN 868 MHz devices. Wireless channel characterization is performed by implementing a full 3D urban scenario model, including elements such as buildings, vehicles, users and urban infrastructure such as lamp posts and benches. By means of in-house developed 3D Ray Launching algorithm with hybrid simulation capabilities, estimations of received power levels, signal to noise ratio and time domain parameters have been obtained, for the complete volume of the scenario under test in dense urban conditions. V2G end to end communication has been validated by implementing an intra-vehicle Controller Area Network-BUS (CAN BUS) data gathering system connected to the vehicle LoRaWAN transceiver and subsequently, to a cloud-based web service. The results show that the accurate deterministic based radio channel analysis enables to optimize the network design of LoRaWAN networks in a vehicular environment, considering inter-vehicular and infrastructure links, enabling scalable, low cost end to end data exchange for the deployment of ancillary V2G services.
Open Access
Enabling anything to anything connectivity within urban environments towards cognitive frameworks
(IEEE, 2024-08-23) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; Klaina, Hicham; López Iturri, Peio; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
The evolution from Smart Cities towards Cognitive Cities is enabled, among others, by the use of flexible and adaptive communication systems, capable of providing high levels of interactivity among multiple systems and users. In this work, wireless connectivity in full volumetric scale is analyzed, in order to provide wireless links between any device/user within the scenario, spanning to different applications from vehicular connectivity at different levels or infrastructure related communications, among others.
Open Access
Development of a cognitive IoT-enabled Smart Campus
(IEEE, 2024-08-23) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; Klaina, Hicham; López Iturri, Peio; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Ciencias; Zientziak; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
The evolution from Smart to Cognitive Cities takes advantage, among others, of advanced communication technologies in order to increase interactivity levels. In this work, an analysis of wireless connectivity within the framework of a Smart Campus pilot at the Public University of Navarra in Spain is presented. By means of in-house implemented hybrid deterministic code, multiple wireless connectivity conditions with different operating frequencies are presented. The use of these tools provides accurate coverage/capacity analysis of large, complex scenarios, aiding in the design of network devices as well as overall network topology in order to optimize overall performance.
Open Access
Deterministic wireless channel characterization towards the integration of communication capabilities to enable context aware industrial internet of thing environments
(Springer, 2022) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
In order to provide interactive capabilities within the context of Internet of Thing (IoT) applications, wireless communication systems play a key role, owing to in-herent mobility, ubiquity and ease of deployment. However, to comply with Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) metrics, coverage/capacity analysis must be performed, to account for the impact of signal blockage as well as multiple interference sources. This analysis is especially complex in the case of indoor scenarios, such as those derived from Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). In this work, a fully volumetric approach based on hybrid deterministic 3D Ray Launching is employed providing precise wireless channel characterization and hence, system level analysis of indoor scenarios. Coverage/capacity, interference mapping and time domain characterization estimations will be derived, considering different frequencies of operation below 6 GHz. The proposed methodology will be tested against a real measurement scenario, providing full flexibility and scalability for adoption in a wide range of IIoT capable environments.
Open Access
Basketball player on-body biophysical and environmental parameter monitoring based on wireless sensor network integration
(IEEE, 2021) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Aguirre Gallego, Erik; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Matematika eta Informatika Ingeniaritza; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Matemática e Informática; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
Sport activities have benefited in recent years from the progressive adoption of different technological assets in order to improve individual as well as group training, collect different statistics or enhance the spectator experiences. The progressive adoption of Internet of Things paradigms can also be considered within the scope of sport activities, providing high levels of user interactivity as well as enabling cloud-based data storage and processing. In this work, a system for monitoring biophysical, kinematic and environmental parameters within the development of basketball training is presented. A set of on-body nodes with multiple sensors and wireless body area network capabilities have been designed, implemented and tested under real training conditions during a match. Wireless channel analysis results have been obtained with the aid of in house implemented deterministic 3D ray launching algorithm, providing accurate coverage/capacity estimations in relation with human body consideration in the field as well as in the stadium. Measurement results give relevant information in relation with individual player characteristics as well as with team characteristics, providing a flexible tool to improve training development of basketball.
Open Access
A radio channel model for D2D communications blocked by single trees in forest environments
(MDPI, 2019) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; Klaina, Hicham; López Iturri, Peio; Aguirre Gallego, Erik; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Eguizábal Garrido, Alejandro; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Alejos, Ana V.; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
In this paper we consider the D2D (Device-to-Device) communication taking place between Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) elements operating in vegetation environments in order to achieve the radio channel characterization at 2.4 GHz, focusing on the radio links blocked by oak and pine trees modelled from specimens found in a real recreation area located within forest environments. In order to fit and validate a radio channel model for this type of scenarios, both measurements and simulations by means of an in-house developed 3D Ray Launching algorithm have been performed, offering as outcomes the path loss and multipath information of the scenarios under study for forest immersed isolated trees and non-isolated trees. The specific forests, composed of thick in-leaf trees, are called Orgi Forest and Chandebrito, located respectively in Navarre and Galicia, Spain. A geometrical and dielectric model of the trees were created and introduced in the simulation software. We concluded that the scattering produced by the tree can be divided into two zones with different dominant propagation mechanisms: an obstructed line of sight (OLoS) zone far from the tree fitting a log-distance model, and a diffraction zone around the edge of the tree. 2D planes of delay spread value are also presented which similarly reflects the proposed two-zone model.
Open Access
Analysis of low power wide area network wireless technologies in smart agriculture for large-scale farm monitoring and tractor communications
(Elsevier, 2022) Klaina, Hicham; Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Campo-Bescós, Miguel; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Aghzout, Otman; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
In this paper, the assessment of multiple scenario cases for large-scale farm monitoring using Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) based near-ground sensor nodes with the interaction of both tractors and farmers are presented. The proposed scenario under analysis considers multiple communication links, namely nodes to infrastructure, nodes to tractor, nodes to farmer, tractor to infrastructure and farmer to infrastructure communications. Moreover, these scenarios are proposed for tractors and agricultural equipment performance improvement and tracking, as well as resources management within the farm field. Different link type configurations are tested in order to consider the impact of ground, spatial distribution as well as infrastructure elements. The results show that LPWAN-based WSNs can provide better performance in terms of coverage and radio link quality results than ZigBee for a non-flat large-scale farm field in both cases of near-ground fixed nodes and moving tractor and farmer. The proposed systems are validated by cloud-based platforms for LoRaWAN, Sigfox and NB-IoT communications, providing flexible and scalable solutions to enable interactive farming applications.