Dario Di Zenobio

EDISON: An innovative lighting architecture facilitating building automation

In this paper, we propose a holistic approach to raise building efficiency, consisting in: i) a smart ICT-based monitoring and control system, relying on wired and wireless sensors and actuators, that uses the existing lighting infrastructure as cabled data link; ii) an innovative lighting network, low voltage direct current powered, integrating photovoltaic systems and Solid State Lamps (SSLs). Moreover, we discuss compliancy with emerging communication standards, with focus on domotics and building automation.

Femtocell technology combined to a condominium cabled infrastructure

Fixed-mobile convergence has the potentiality to break down some of the physical barriers that now prevent telecom service providers from reaching all of their potential customers with all types of services. The breakthrough combination of wireline backhaul with wireless technology seems to represent a concrete quantum leap in terms of spectrum utilization, capacity and quality of service as well as it allows costs reduction and service differentiation.

A self-powered wireless sensor for water/gas metering systems

Much has been written about the benefits of wireless sensors which enable measurements in harsh or hermetic environments. However, the problem concerning battery replacement is still open. This paper presents a new solution for a wireless self-powered sensors network, which allows the harvesting of energy from the action of a turbine wheel rotating in the path of a fluid stream environment. This new family of devices can find application in water/gas smart metering systems, subject of very large interest today. Furthermore, the proposed approach suggests a wireless network planning designed to eliminate problems related to a large cell radio architecture.

Lighting in the building: A DC Smart Grid

The paper illustrates the idea developed in a European PSP-ICT project, named EDISON, proposing advanced ICT solutions for Solid State Lamps (SSLs) control and energy saving actions. The EDISON System is based on very efficient DC power supply modules feeding Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps - The proposed solution permits to increase the energy saving resulting from LED lamps application, and to implement a control network on the existing lighting infrastructure, without additional cabling. The smart components are very simple commercial products primarily devoted to the light control and dimming. This paper presents the architecture of the proposed system, its effectiveness in saving energy and the possibility to extend the control to services other than lighting. The EDISON solution has been implemented in more than 20 Pilots, in different countries in Europe (Italy, UK, Belgium). All the pilots are running and the results demonstrate the high efficiency of the proposed technical approach. (http://www.project-edison.eu).

SafeTRIP: A Bi-Directional Communication System Operating in S-Band for Road Safety and Incident Prevention

SafeTRIP is a project in progress partially financed by the Seventh Framework Programmes (FP7) European research and development activities in the subtheme of Sustainable Surface Transportation. SafeTRIP intends to implement a demonstrator of an integrated system, from data collection to service provision, that aims at optimising the use of road transport infrastructures. In this paper a general overview of the SafeTRIP architecture is presented. A detailed analysis and description of the functionalities characterizing the main elements of the system and a brief description of infomobility services such as alerting, disaster recovery and dynamic traffic data is given. A relevant part of this architecture is the Satellite Communication System which operates through the W2A Geostationary Satellite. To have an idea of the potentialities of the proposed system, a summary of functional requirements and performances relating to different types of services implemented is reported.

Multi-agent learning for multi-channel wireless sensor networks

An increased bandwidth demand and the problem of interference have resulted in the advent of multi-channel protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks. In this paper, we propose a distributed contention-free multi-channel access scheme. This scheme is based on the parallel rendez-vous principle, which exploits the possibility of concurrent transmissions on different channels in the same collision domain. We describe a multi-agent learning algorithm that resolves all contention in a traffic adaptive manner. Moreover, the medium access resolution is combined with route selection in order to increase the number of parallel transmissions. The results of simulation experiments show that the proposed protocol can outperform McMAC, a state-of-the-art parallel rendez-vous protocol, in terms of throughput and latency.

An integrated access network infrastructure combining femtocells to existing cabled networks

Wireless technology is a fast, flexible and easy-to-deploy solution to provide broadband access. In this context, the adoption of Femtocell Access Points, operating in the licensed cellular bands and typically designed to be used in SOHO, will improve the radio coverage and the building penetration of the existing mobile networks, based on macrocells. In the present paper an innovative approach to access the end user, relying on infrastructural integration of femtocellular technology with existing cabled networks, is proposed. This peculiar solution is further strengthened by the growing interest towards the possible deployment of mobile technologies in both the last portion of the UHF band V and the GSM frequency band, resulting from the re-farming process.

A microcell/macrocell architecture to access multimedia communication services

This paper proposes the design of a novel multimedia radio communication environment, able to integrate the flexibility of the wireless techniques to the capabilities of wired broadband ATM. The multimedia radio communication environment is based on the two layer architecture, in which several wideband micro cells are combined into a single macro cell, and is proposed as an effective alternative to wired ATM customer premises networks, to serve areas where cabling is un-economical or unfeasible, as in the case of rural areas and historical city centers.

A Femtocellular-Cabled Solution for Broadband Wireless Access: A Qualitative and Comparative Analysis

Broadband Wireless Access is a strategic opportunity for mobile operators which aim to provide connectivity in digital divide areas, in order to accelerate speed of deployment and save in installation costs. This paper presents an innovative approach to access the end user, relying on infrastructural integration of femtocellular technology with existing cabled network. Usually, the adoption of Femtocell Access Points, operating in the licensed cellular bands typically designed to be used in SOHO, improves the radio coverage and the building penetration of the existing mobile networks, based on macrocells. In the proposed solution, the peculiar functionality of femtocells is further improved using a MATV/SMATV cabled infrastructure which facilitates the signal connection inside the building. The potentiality of the solution is even more evident, taking into account the growing interest towards the possible deployment of new mobile technologies, like LTE in both the last portion of the UHF band V and the GSM frequency band, resulting from the re-farming process.

The LADIES solution

The idea of the LADIES solution is to assign part of the 3.6-3.8 GHz frequency band to a diffusive or asymmetric communications system integrated in a full standard WiMax system, operating at the 3.5 GHz band. The result of this solution is a powerful way of accessing the end user, by delivering different services, IP and DVB-T/S compliant. The LADIES system is interoperable with others existing telecommunication systems and enables a convergence scenario in a user-friendly information society.