Open Access
Towards environmental RF-EMF assessment of mmwave high-node density complex heterogeneous environments
(MDPI, 2021) Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Rodríguez Corbo, Fidel Alejandro; López Iturri, Peio; Ramos González, Victoria; Alibakhshikenari, Mohammad; Shubair, Raed M.; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
The densification of multiple wireless communication systems that coexist nowadays, as well as the 5G new generation cellular systems advent towards the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency range, give rise to complex context-aware scenarios with high-node density heterogeneous networks. In this work, a radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure assessment from an empirical and modeling approach for a large, complex indoor setting with high node density and traffic is presented. For that purpose, an intensive and comprehensive in-depth RF-EMF E-field characterization study is provided in a public library study case, considering dense personal mobile communications (5G FR2 @28 GHz) and wireless 802.11ay (@60 GHz) data access services on the mmWave frequency range. By means of an enhanced in-house deterministic 3D ray launching (3D-RL) simulation tool for RF-EMF exposure assessment, different complex heterogenous scenarios of high complexity are assessed in realistic operation conditions, considering different user distributions and densities. The use of directive antennas and MIMO beamforming techniques, as well as all the corresponding features in terms of radio wave propagation, such as the body shielding effect, dispersive material properties of obstacles, the impact of the distribution of scatterers and the associated electromagnetic propagation phenomena, are considered for simulation. Discussion regarding the contribution and impact of the coexistence of multiple heterogeneous networks and services is presented, verifying compliance with the current established international regulation limits with exposure levels far below the aforementioned limits. Finally, the proposed simulation technique is validated with a complete empirical campaign of measurements, showing good agreement. In consequence, the obtained datasets and simulation estimations, along with the proposed RF-EMF simulation tool, could be a reference approach for the design, deployment and exposure assessment of the current and future wireless communication technologies on the mmWave spectrum, where massive high-node density heterogeneous networks are expected.
Open Access
Implementation and analysis of a wireless sensor network-based pet location monitoring system for domestic scenarios
(MDPI, 2016) Aguirre Gallego, Erik; López Iturri, Peio; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Santesteban Martínez de Morentin, Daniel; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica
The flexibility of new age wireless networks and the variety of sensors to measure a high number of variables, lead to new scenarios where anything can be monitored by small electronic devices, thereby implementing Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). Thanks to ZigBee, RFID or WiFi networks the precise location of humans or animals as well as some biological parameters can be known in real-time. However, since wireless sensors must be attached to biological tissues and they are highly dispersive, propagation of electromagnetic waves must be studied to deploy an efficient and well-working network. The main goal of this work is to study the influence of wireless channel limitations in the operation of a specific pet monitoring system, validated at physical channel as well as at functional level. In this sense, radio wave propagation produced by ZigBee devices operating at the ISM 2.4 GHz band is studied through an in-house developed 3D Ray Launching simulation tool, in order to analyze coverage/capacity relations for the optimal system selection as well as deployment strategy in terms of number of transceivers and location. Furthermore, a simplified dog model is developed for simulation code, considering not only its morphology but also its dielectric properties. Relevant wireless channel information such as power distribution, power delay profile and delay spread graphs are obtained providing an extensive wireless channel analysis. A functional dog monitoring system is presented, operating over the implemented ZigBee network and providing real time information to Android based devices. The proposed system can be scaled in order to consider different types of domestic pets as well as new user based functionalities.
Open Access
Spatial V2X traffic density channel characterization for urban environments
(IEEE, 2021) Granda, Fausto; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Celaya Echarri, Mikel; López Iturri, Peio; Vargas Rosales, César; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
In this work, Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) wireless communications performance is analyzed, in order to account for inherent scenario complexity, in the deployment phase of wireless systems towards the implementation of a Context Aware environment. An urban environment has been simulated by means of an in-house three-dimensional (3D) Ray Launching algorithm, coupled with a microscopic vehicular movement simulator, accounting for embedded urban elements as well as variable traffic densities within the complex environment. Large-scale and small-scale results are presented, as well as statistical analysis of the impact of different traffic densities. A campaign of measurements in the same real scenario has been performed, showing good agreement with wireless channel estimations for the considered frequency. These results can aid in V2X deployment configurations in urban environments, in order to minimize power consumption, optimize interference levels and increase overall system performance.
Open Access
Análisis topológico de redes de sensores inalámbricos en entornos interiores complejos
(2011) López Iturri, Peio; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Fernández Valdivielso, Carlos; Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales y de Telecomunicación; Telekomunikazio eta Industria Ingeniarien Goi Mailako Eskola Teknikoa; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa
El objetivo de este proyecto fin de carrera es analizar el impacto de entornos interiores complejos en el despliegue de infraestructuras de redes de sensores inalámbricos. Concretamente, la influencia en los valores de RSSI, consumo de energía y PER (Packet Error Ratio) serán los datos más significativos en el estudio. Se analizará especialmente la influencia de la topología y morfología de la red en varios escenarios interiores complejos mediante simulaciones basadas en el método de trazado de rayos 3D y mediante medidas reales hechas directamente con los dispositivos inalámbricos ubicados en dichos escenarios. Teniendo en cuenta el rápido incremento de las aplicaciones en las que estas redes son esenciales (monitorización de hábitats, monitorización de infraestructuras, asistencia sanitaria, domótica, defensa, agricultura, ganadería, etc.), entender su comportamiento en un escenario real es imprescindible para un adecuado y eficiente despliegue de las mismas. Todas las redes y dispositivos analizados en este trabajo están basados en la norma IEEE 802.15.4. Esta norma, en la que el estándar basado en ella más conocido y utilizado es ZigBee, trata sobre las LR-PANs (Low Rate Personal Area Network), las cuales se caracterizan por estar los dispositivos alimentados por baterías. Encontrar la mejor configuración y distribución espacial de los dispositivos que forman la red de sensores, de tal forma que el consumo de energía sea el menor posible, será uno de los objetivos más importantes, ya que esto significaría alargar al máximo la vida de las baterías. Más teniendo en cuenta que las redes de sensores pueden contener varios centenares o millares de dispositivos. De igual forma, se mejoraría el impacto medioambiental.
Open Access
Deterministic propagation modeling for intelligent vehicle communication in smart cities
(MDPI, 2018) Granda, Fausto; López Iturri, Peio; Aguirre Gallego, Erik; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Medrano Fernández, Pablo; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, 0011-1411-2017-000020 BOL BOLETUS
Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) are envisaged to be a critical building block of Smart Cities and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) where applications for pollution, congestion reduction, vehicle mobility improvement, accident prevention and safer roads are some of the VANETs expected benefits towards Intelligent Vehicle Communications. Although there is a significant research effort in Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication radio channel characterization, the use of a deterministic approach as a complement of theoretical and empirical models is required to understand more accurately the propagation phenomena in urban environments. In this work, a deterministic computational tool based on an in-house 3D Ray-Launching algorithm is used to represent and analyze large-scale and small-scale urban radio propagation phenomena, including vehicle movement effects on each of the multipath components. In addition, network parameters such as throughput, packet loss and jitter, have been obtained by means of a set of experimental measurements for different V2I and V2V links. Results show the impact of factors such as distance, frequency, location of antenna transmitters (TX), obstacles and vehicle speed. These results are useful for radio-planning Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) designers and deployment of urban Road Side Units (RSUs).
Open Access
Effects of the body wearable sensor position on the UWB localization accuracy
(MDPI, 2019) Otim, Timothy; Díez, Luis E.; Bahillo, Alfonso; López Iturri, Peio; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
Over the years, several Ultrawideband (UWB) localization systems have been proposed and evaluated for accurate estimation of the position for pedestrians. However, most of them are evaluated for a particular wearable sensor position; hence, the accuracy obtained is subject to a given wearable sensor position. This paper is focused on studying the effects of body wearable sensor positions i.e., chest, arm, ankle, wrist, thigh, forehead, and hand, on the localization accuracy. According to our results, the forehead and the chest provide the best and worst body sensor location for tracking a pedestrian, respectively. With the wearable sensor at the forehead and chest position, errors lower than 0.35 m (90th percentile) and 4 m can be obtained, respectively. The reason for such a contrast in the performance lies in the fact that, in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) situations, the chest generates the highest multipath of any part of the human body. Thus, the large errors obtained arise due to the signal arriving at the target wearable sensor by multiple reflections from interacting objects in the environment rather than by direct line-of-sight (LOS) or creeping wave propagation mechanism.
Open Access
Intelligent SDN-based multi-protocol selector for IoT-enabled NMT networks
(IEEE, 2021) Al-Rahamneh, Anas; Astrain Escola, José Javier; López Iturri, Peio; Picallo Guembe, Imanol; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika
The popularity of the Internet of Things is increasing and it is being used in many commercial sectors, using customized technologies for specific environments. Applications and protocols, and the unique requirements of each environment, pose a significant challenge for IoT applications, necessitating communication and message exchange support. This paper aims to propose an intelligent SDN-Based multi-protocol selector for IoT-enabled NMT (NonMotorized Transportation) networks. The main goal of this work is to give the mobile nodes within IoT-enabled NMT networks the flexibility to choose the appropriate wireless communication protocol from several protocols they have to transmit information according to criteria, including battery life, data size and priority of the packet, to pass the most important data first.
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
From 2G to 5G spatial modeling of personal RF-EMF exposure within urban public trams
(IEEE, 2020) Celaya Echarri, Mikel; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Karpowicz, Jolanta; López Iturri, Peio; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
The upcoming design and implementation of the new generation of 5G cellular systems, jointly with the multiple wireless communication systems that nowadays coexist within vehicular environments, leads to Heterogeneous Network challenging urban scenarios. In this framework, user's Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) radiation exposure assessment is pivotal, to verify compliance with current legislation thresholds. In this work, an in-depth study of the E-field characterization of the personal mobile communications within urban public trams is presented, considering different cellular technologies (from 2G to 5G). Specifically, frequency bands in the range of 5G NR frequency range 1 (FR1) and millimeter wave (mm-wave) bands within frequency range 2 (FR2) have been analyzed for 5G scenarios, considering their dispersive material properties. A simulation approach is presented to assess user mobile phone base station up-link radiation exposure, considering all the significant features of urban transportation trams in terms of structure morphology and topology or the materials employed. In addition, different user densities have been considered at different frequency bands, from 2G to 5G (FR1 and FR2), by means of an in-house developed deterministic 3D Ray-Launching (3D-RL) technique in order to provide clear insight spatial E-field distribution, including the impact in the use of directive antennas and beamforming techniques, within realistic operation conditions. Discussion in relation with current exposure limits have been presented, showing that for all cases, E-Field results are far below the maximum reference levels established by the ICNIRP guidelines. By means of a complete E-field campaign of measurements, performed with both, a personal exposimeter (PEM) and a spectrum analyzer within a real tram wagon car, the proposed methodology has been validated showing good agreement with the experimental measurements. In consequence, a simulation-based analysis methodology for dosimetry estimation is provided, aiding in the assessment of current and future cellular deployments in complex heterogeneous vehicular environments.
Open Access
Design and performance analysis of wireless body area networks in complex indoor e-Health hospital environments for patient remote monitoring
(SAGE, 2016) Aguirre Gallego, Erik; López Iturri, Peio; Azpilicueta Fernández de las Heras, Leyre; Rivarés Garasa, Carmen; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa eta Elektronikoa; Ingeniería Matemática e Informática; Matematika eta Informatika Ingeniaritza
In this article, the design and performance analysis of wireless body area network–based systems for the transmission of medical information readable in an android-based application deployed within complex indoor e-Health scenarios is presented. The scenario under analysis is an emergency room area, where a patient is being monitored remotely with the aid of wearable wireless sensors placed at different body locations. Due to the advent of Internet of Things, in the near future a cloud of a vast number of wireless devices will be operating at the same time, potentially interfering one another. Ensuring good performance of the deployed wireless networks in this kind of environment is mandatory and obtaining accurate radio propagation estimations by means of a computationally efficient algorithm is a key issue. For that purpose, an in-house three-dimensional ray launching algorithm is employed, which provides radio frequency power distribution values, power delay profiles, and delay spread values for the complete volume of complex indoor scenarios. Using this information together with signal-to-noise estimations and link budget calculations, the most suitable wireless body area network technology for this context is chosen. Additionally, an in-house developed human body model has been developed in order to model the impact of the presence of monitored patients. A campaign of measurements has been carried out in order to validate the obtained simulation results. Both the measurements and simulation results illustrate the strong influence of the presented scenario on the overall performance of the wireless body area networks: losses due to material absorption and the strong influence of multipath components due to the great number of obstacles and the presence of persons make the use of the presented method very useful. Finally, an android-based application for the monitoring of patients is presented and tested within the emergency room scenario, providing a flexible solution to increase interactivity in health service provision.