Open Access
Digital twin modelling of open category UAV radio communications: a case study
(Elsevier, 2024) Aláez Gómez, Daniel; López Iturri, Peio; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The modeling of radio links plays a crucial role in achieving mission success of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). By simulating and analyzing communication performance, operators can anticipate and address potential challenges. In this paper, we propose a full-featured UAV software-in-the-loop digital twin (SITL-DT) for a heavy-lifting hexacopter that integrates a radio link module based on an experimental path loss model for ‘Open’ category Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) conditions and drone-antenna radiation diagrams obtained via electromagnetic simulation. The main purpose of integrating and simulating a radio link is to characterize when the communication link can be conflicting due to distance, the attitude of the aircraft relative to the pilot, and other phenomena. The system architecture, including the communications module, is implemented and validated based upon experimental flight data.
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
Wireless information power transfer assessment by deterministic radio propagation estimations in smart city contexts
(IEEE, 2025-03-12) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Klaina, Hicham; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Rodríguez Corbo, Fidel Alejandro; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
The development of context aware environments, such as those given in the framework of Smart Cities and Smart Regions require the use of ubiquitous connectivity and more recently, energy availability for a wide variety of Internet of Things based applications. In this work, estimations of wireless channel distributions for coverage/capacity as well as for energy availability will be presented, for outdoor as well as indoor scenarios with the aid of deterministic inhouse developed simulation tool. Volumetric assessment can be obtained, aiding in the radio network planning process, as well as in the feasibility of electromagnetic based energy harvesting solutions for Internet of Things based applications.
Open Access
Cloud continuum testbeds and next-generation ICTs: trends, challenges, and perspectives
(Elsevier, 2024-12-06) Casino, Fran; López Iturri, Peio; Patsakis, Constantinos ; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza
As society's dependence on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) grows, providing efficient and resourceful services entails many complexities that require, among others, scalable systems that are provided with intelligent and automated management. In parallel, the different components of cloud computing are continuously evolving to enhance their capabilities towards leveraging the next generation of ICTs. Due to the substantial investment in resources required to provide efficient services, suitable research and experimentation platforms to test and validate cloud technologies before releasing them into operational versions are crucial to delivering sound systems with sustainable cost/benefit ratios. In this article, we review the current state of the art by analysing cloud testbeds devoted to studying the capabilities of the cloud continuum. Instead of recalling a component-wise or architectural discussion of these systems, this article explores the full spectrum of the cloud continuum testbeds and their features, providing a taxonomy that can be practically used as an entry point to identify each testbed's scope. Moreover, we extract the challenges found in the literature to deliver a profound discussion, correlating the analysed testbeds and their features. Our findings highlight the main gaps and potential roadmaps to provide effective testbeds considering the next generation of ICTs.
Open Access
Design, assessment and deployment of an efficient golf game dynamics management system based on flexible wireless technologies
(MDPI, 2023) Picallo Guembe, Imanol; Aguirre Gallego, Erik; López Iturri, Peio; Guembe Zabaleta, Javier; Olariaga Jauregui, Eduardo; Klaina, Hicham; Marcotegui Iturmendi, José Antonio; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
The practice of sports has been steadily evolving, taking advantage of different technological tools to improve different aspects such as individual/collective training, support in match development or enhancement of audience experience. In this work, an in-house implemented monitoring system for golf training and competition is developed, composed of a set of distributed end devices, gateways and routers, connected to a web-based platform for data analysis, extraction and visualization. Extensive wireless channel analysis has been performed, by means of deterministic 3D radio channel estimations and radio frequency measurements, to provide coverage/capacity estimations for the specific use case of golf courses. The monitoring system has been fully designed considering communication as well as energy constraints, including wireless power transfer (WPT) capabilities in order to provide flexible node deployment. System validation has been performed in a real golf course, validating end-to-end connectivity and information handling to improve overall user experience.
Open Access
Multimodal minimally invasive wearable technology for epilepsy monitoring: a feasibility study of the periauricular area
(IEEE, 2023) Besné, Guillermo M.; López Iturri, Peio; Alegre, Manuel; Artieda, Julio; Trigo Vilaseca, Jesús Daniel; Serrano Arriezu, Luis Javier; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Valencia Ustárroz, Miguel; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
Ambulatory monitoring is of great interest in both clinical and domestic environments. Despite the technological advances, few monitoring solutions are suitable for medical application and diagnosis. Here, we investigate the feasibility of targeting the periauricular area (ear pavilion, ear canal, and the surrounding skin areas) to implement a multimodal system that fulfills the requirements of ergonomics and minimal obstructiveness in the context of epilepsy monitoring. Six physiological signals are selected and explored for their integration in the area of interest and a ¿proof-of-concept¿ prototype integrating the components in a single portable device targeting the selected location is implemented. Results show mixed results where some parameters are highly reliable, and others are impractical or require customized technology to provide clinically relevant information. To enable data acquisition, storage, and processing within the Internet of Medical Things paradigms, wireless body area transceiver integration is also analyzed in terms of coverage/capacity relations, showing feasibility for such device configuration.
Open Access
IIoT low-cost Zigbee-based WSN implementation for enhanced production efficiency in a solar protection curtains manufacturing workshop
(MDPI, 2024) Klaina, Hicham; Picallo Guembe, Imanol; López Iturri, Peio; Biurrun, Aitor; Alejos, Ana V.; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Socorro Leránoz, Abián Bentor; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Nowadays, the Industry 4.0 concept and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are considered essential for the implementation of automated manufacturing processes across various industrial settings. In this regard, wireless sensor networks (WSN) are crucial due to their inherent mobility, easy deployment and maintenance, scalability, and low power consumption, among other benefits. In this context, the presented paper proposes an optimized and low-cost WSN based on ZigBee communication technology for the monitoring of a real manufacturing facility. The company designs and manufactures solar protection curtains and aims to integrate the deployed WSN into the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in order to optimize their production processes and enhance production efficiency and cost estimation capabilities. To achieve this, radio propagation measurements and 3D ray launching simulations were conducted to characterize the wireless channel behavior and facilitate the development of an optimized WSN system that can operate in the complex industrial environment presented and validated through on-site wireless channel measurements, as well as interference analysis. Then, a low-cost WSN was implemented and deployed to acquire real-time data from different machinery and workstations, which will be integrated into the ERP system. Multiple data streams have been collected and processed from the shop floor of the factory by means of the prototype wireless nodes implemented. This integration will enable the company to optimize its production processes, fabricate products more efficiently, and enhance its cost estimation capabilities. Moreover, the proposed system provides a scalable platform, enabling the integration of new sensors as well as information processing capabilities.
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.