Florin Sandu

Web 2.0 technologies in web application development

The World Wide Web today has been flooded with many new web-oriented applications that changed the role of the user, from spectator to actor. The websites / web-applications became friendlier, more stylish, with many new useful features and a high level of interactivity. New web-programming techniques were developed on the existing HTTP protocol, the old ones were reinterpreted, to offer to the user exciting, new experiences. The most complex web applications, in terms of programming challenges, are content management systems. A Content management system, thanks to its modularity and scalability, permits a rapid development of complex, but very easy to maintain and manage web-oriented applications (websites). The existing content management systems, however, are somewhat limited when it comes to the graphical interface with the user. Also, they impose restrictions and a creative developer must use all sorts of tricks to achieve his vision. This paper is set to present the architecture for a web-based content management system that uses the new concepts and techniques introduced by WEB 2.0.

LISP Optimisation of Mobile Data Streaming in Connected Societies

Mobility mechanisms are key elements of “always connected” smart environments. Since the first mobile IPv4 protocols, the IP mobility solutions have evolved from host mobility to network mobility and migration to IPv6, but there are still use-cases to be covered, especially for redundant multihomed scenarios. Also mobility does not refer only to hosts or individuals, but also to code/applications and to virtual machines. LISP (Locator/Identifier Separation Protocol) can contribute to new solutions for both host mobility and virtual machine mobility (e.g., inside enterprise data centers) by the separation of the identifier and location of a network endpoint. The aim of this paper is to propose a LISP based multihome and load-balanced network architecture for urban environments. Validation is done in an emulated environment for the case of an enterprise with distributed locations, but, furthermore, we extrapolate to other mobile urban scenarios, like the case of providing reliable load-balanced and secured Internet in Public Transportation Systems, with a proposal for an open-source implementation.

Semantic data aggregation in heterogeneous learning environments

The Internet of Things paradigm is gaining momentum as the number of interconnected devices is continually increasing. The paper approaches the interoperability of these devices that is still a challenge because of different communication protocols and data representation formats. Rather than working independently, these individual devices would collaborate and exchange structured information instead of raw data. The paper presents an intermediate non-expensive step towards improving the interoperability of heterogeneous sensor sub-nets in an university instrumentation lab, by using semantic annotated data. Being integrated with modern solutions for eLearning in engineering - like “instrumentation as a service” and “experiment as a service” - this approach aims at ontological integration in a Cloud enabled with advanced capabilities of discovery, interpretation, aggregation and management of heterogeneous instrumental networks.

Simulation-based UMTS e-learning software

This paper describes a soft-switch-based mobile network simulator developed for the purpose of e-Learning. The main goal of this simulation-based e-Learning software is to show and illustrate the behavior of the specific mobile communications network elements. The case studies presented are oriented on UMTS 3GPPs Release 4 network architecture.

Integrating wireless sensors into cloud systems for ambient assisted living

Our proposal — referring to integrating wireless sensors into cloud systems for ambient assisted living — belongs to the “NOAH” (NOt Alone at Home) E.U. project, which addresses the theme of supporting independent life of older adults living alone, by empowering them in daily life activity self-management, by providing them with a more effective connection to their supporting networks (relatives, friends, caregivers) and by augmenting their safety and perception thereof. That is, even when not requiring constant care, chances of ageing at home are often jeopardized by the fear of being in need of help while unattended or of not being able to deal with daily living disparate tasks. The platform is in course to be implemented as a solution for mobile computing in a cloud computing environment. At the core of the cloud-based service, a data analysis module (Behavioral Analysis Module) explores the user data space for meaningful behavioral patterns. The three pilots designed involve 60 users, in three countries; each user will be equipped with the home kit of sensors and will be paired to (at least) one caregiving person in his personal supporting network. Two macro-types of sensors are involved: environmental and personal/wearable.

Peer control solutions for improving LTE access networks

The tendency of any mobile technology is to automate as many of its processes. LTE (Long Term Evolution) introduces the concept of SON (Self-Organizing Network) that targets the automation of a large number of LTE processes. On the other hand, Peer to Peer (P2P) technology, even if it is used mainly in Internet and file sharing applications can bring significant improvements to LTE. This article discusses the possibility of applying peering not at user equipment (UE) level (where P2P is closer to D2D - device to device connection), not in the core network, but in the access network.

SDR-assisted device-to-device communication in radio-congested environments

This paper is proposing some models for optimizing the Device-to-Device (D2D) communication in the context of congested environments, by using spectrum sensing. Different levels of decentralization — in computational intelligence, signal processing, power management and a greater percentage of open-source software — are discussed in a business-oriented perspective. A network of low power, inexpensive SDR devices is presented in solutions for implementing the partner discovery and spectrum selection as part of D2D communication in radio-congested urban environments. These practical solutions cover not only cost-effective SDR receivers but also local intelligence, with a spectacular add-on: mobility.

Multihoming for Mobile Internet of Multimedia Things

Mobility, redundancy, and bandwidth requirements are transforming the communication models used for IoT, mainly in case of Critical Communications and multimedia streaming (“IoMT, Internet of Multimedia Things”), as wireless video traffic is expected to be 60–75% of the global mobile traffic by 2020. One of the characteristics of 5G networks will be the proliferation of different/heterogeneous radio networks (virtualized radio access networks, RAN, new energy-efficient radios, femtocells, and offloading capabilities) and the possibility for IoT objects to connect and load-balance between dual and multiple RANs. This paper focuses on the possibility of using LISP (Locator Identifier Separation Protocol) for multihoming and load-balancing purposes and presents an illustrative scenario for the case of mobile IoT (e.g., the “things” part of vehicular or public transportation systems, PTS) that are also intensive bandwidth consumers, like the case of connected multimedia “things.” We have implemented and tested a demonstrator of a mobile LISP IoT gateway that is also integrated with Cloud-based video analytics.

Network Automation and Abstraction using Python Programming Methods

Abstract Network programmability is a trend, enhanced and inspired by Software Defined Networks, that are based on scripting methods and standard programming languages used for controlling and monitoring of network elements. This paper is illustrating some new methods in configuring network devices by using automation, reducing time for equipment configuration and easier maintenance. It also improves network security by recognizing and fixing security vulnerabilities and it increases the network stability. These methods represent the future of networks, allowing the management of an increased number of devices in a unitary way.

An analysis of the video capabilities of multiple antenna LTE networks.

Abstract LTE technology has been designed to serve high data traffic and to withstand occasional traffic bursts caused by various events that arise when live video streams are watched. LTE will have to manage its resources judiciously since video traffic is not constant, and at the same time it will have to seek to offer highest quality experience. This paper demonstrates the benefits of using MIMO technique with 4 transmitters instead 2 when requesting live video streams. It also displays mobility cases each with a different subscriber moving speed, and with different gains, respectively.