Jari Soini

Data collector service - practical approach with embedded linux

Nowadays embedded systems are one of the most important application areas in information technology. Embedded systems are often used in life critical situations, where reliability and safety are more important criteria than performance. This paper presents a data collector service that has been developed based on embedded Linux, which operates as a key element in a larger intelligent alarm system. The target of this study was to test out how well a cost-efficient single-board computer could be used to gather sensory data, and how this data can be provided for the client over the public Internet. The paper describes the data collector service currently in use and its functionality and also gives a concrete example of how to utilize a microcontroller with an embedded Linux distribution. The paper presents one solution on how to utilize embedded systems for managing and controlling conditions in buildings and also environmental conditions in a smart and cost-effective way.

A Survey of Metrics Use in Finnish Software Companies

This study looks at software measurement practices and experiences related to software engineering in Finland. This paper uses the results of an empirical case study to examine how measurement was implemented in practice from the perspective of the software process. The research was motivated by the challenges recognized in the implementation and execution of measurement in software development work. The empirical results presented and also analyzed in this paper were captured by interviews and questionnaires during a research project (Software Measurement - SoMe) carried out in Finland. The project focused on clarifying and identifying the current software process and product metrics used and their utilization in Finnish software companies. The results of the case study show how the measurement was targeted and emphasized in the software process. The paper points out the key issues that arose when the empirical results were compared to the existing theoretical knowledge on measurement in software engineering.

Harmonizing emergency management knowledge representation

Despite technological advances, the interoperability of the information and decision support systems of the various parties in the emergency and crisis management community remains a difficult task. The Finnish Emergency Response Center (ERC) is responsible for taking all emergency calls in any emergency. This operating model differs from the operating models in most countries, in that the ERC operators can alert all the necessary authorities directly. The response plans (RP), which are the procedures and instructions on how to react and whom to alert in case of a particular emergency situation, are scripted by the corresponding authorities (rescue, health, police, etc.) and ERC officers are obligated to follow the plans. Currently the Finnish ERC is specifying a new software system and this study was set up in part to support some of the needs of this large national project. This paper discusses how a business process modeling notation (BPMN) could be adapted in a multi-authority field and whether BPMN is suitable for the demands of emergency authorities. Another aim was to describe and specify the relevant organizational structure and the interfaces required in the response plans. The modeled process descriptions were clarified by investigating literature sources and through discussions with emergency experts. The results show how process descriptions could be used to harmonize the emergency response plans and organization in the Finnish Emergency Center. Process descriptions can also help the ERC to carry out requirement engineering for their new emergency management system.

Integration of Software Process Assessment and Modeling

Several approaches, such as modeling, assessment, measurement, and technology adoption, are available to improve a software process. The approaches supplement each other, but one usually dominates in process improvement. Process assessment is a norm-based approach, which is often used for evolutionary process improvement. The starting point for process improvement actions is the gap between the current state of an organization and the desired future state. These two states can be characterized using a norm for good software practices like CMMI or SPICE. Process modeling comprises analysis of activities, artifacts, roles and tools. Process assessment studies the capability of the process based on process attributes defined in the assessment model. In this paper we illustrate, how a method for descriptive process modeling can be integrated with an approach of assessment based software process improvement. The outcome is based on the observations of existing solutions and proposals for their improvement. The final result of our on-going study is a unified method for process improvement. The application of the method results in detailed process profiles with process improvement opportunities, and a descriptive process model of the assessed software unit. The main benefit of the approach is that the improvements are clearly expressed in the actual process model to make the process changes more manageable.

Toward a flexible service-oriented reference architecture for situational awareness systems in distributed disaster knowledge management

The aim of our research is to develop methods for authorities to improve situational awareness in support of management activities in disasters and catastrophes. One of the objectives is to anticipate, collect and analyze requirements for advanced situational awareness information systems and use them to define a free and open source based reference architecture for a flexible service oriented system designed to support the loose connection of the situational awareness systems of different authorities. This task is a very demanding one, because the interfaces of the legacy information systems of the different authorities are typically closed, their age, technology and position in their lifecycle are very different and they are mainly intended to support only certain types of activities (rescue, firefighting, police work, health and emergency, safety, etc.). Additional challenges for requirement elaboration include the special characteristics of the information needed in different phases of the emergency management cycle (mitigation & prevention, preparation, response and recovery), quantitative and qualitative differences in situational awareness needs (i) at local versus global level and (ii) between different types of authorities (rescue, police, health etc.), and (iii) the type of management decision (tactical, operational or strategic). This paper deals with the challenges in collecting and managing the information and knowledge needed for the development of situational awareness in disaster and catastrophe management.

Managing information and distributing knowledge in a knowledge-intensive business environment

Both information and knowledge are huge resources in organizations, but only if they are utilized correctly. Appropriate information must be in the right place, at the right time and with the right person. Attempts should be made to capture, share and utilize existing critical knowledge for use by the entire organization as effectively as possible. Especially in knowledge-intensive organizations, such as software companies, this aspect is crucial. The availability of relevant information is one of the most important assets in this business environment. Primarily, management is responsible for organizing and managing this challenging and often complicated task. Achieving this will significantly enhance the organizations ability to succeed in todays rapidly changing knowledge-intensive business environment. The paper discusses the factors that are potential enablers for success in information sharing and knowledge management in the software engineering field. Additionally, a case study is presented, which demonstrates how information distribution was implemented in practice in.

Embedded Linux controlled sensor network

This study utilizes a simple model for constructing sensor nodes - master controller combinations in the Internet of Things. The model combines hardware and software for embedded systems which measure a predefined set of parameters. The master controller manages several sensor nodes, collects data from them and provides data for clients. The paper introduces a proof-of-concept implementation based on the model. The implementation uses an embedded Linux based small computer and microcontroller based sensor nodes in the context of condition measurement, and represents a way to use wireless data transfer between controller and nodes. The target of this study was to test the model, to determine how well a cost-efficient single-board computer could be used to gather sensory data from several sensor nodes, and how this data can be provided for clients over the public Internet.

Portable sensor system for reliable condition measurement

Regarding sustainable development, there is a growing need to gather more and more various kinds of measurement, space, and consumption information about property. The necessity for property condition measurement is apparent and the appropriate circumstances, such as indoor air quality and suitable temperature, have an essential influence on comfort and welfare at work and, at the same time, have significance in terms of energy efficiency. This paper presents a portable prototype system for property condition measurement. The objective was to generate a reliable system that improves the quality and also the visual presentation of the collected data. The paper presents the components of the system and the technology utilized to implement the system. The results of piloting in a real-life environment, where particular focus was placed on both controlling energy efficiency and well-being at work, are also presented.

Low-energy algorithm for self-controlled Wireless Sensor Nodes

In Internet of Things (IoT), the lifespan of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) has often become an issue. Sensor nodes are typically battery powered. However, high energy consumption by Radio Frequency (RF) module limits the lifespan of sensor nodes. In conventional WSN, the frequency of data transmission is normally fixed or adjusted according to requests from the gateway. In this paper, we present a WSN system for intelligent sensing. We propose a low-energy algorithm for sensor data transmission from sensor nodes for such system. In this algorithm, the sensor nodes are able to self-control their data transmission according to the trends of data. We adopt Adaptive Duty Cycle for adjustment of data transmission frequency and Compressive Sensing (CS) for sensor data compression. The simulation results show that Collective Transmission with CS-based data compression achieves 83.34% of RF energy reduction for the best-case transmission and 83.31% of RF energy reduction in the worst-case transmission, compared to the Continuous Transmission.

Toward collaborative situational awareness in a time-critical operational environment

In many fields of business, management has to act in situations and environments that require fast decision making based on inadequate information of the situation. In rapidly changing circumstances, an organizations opportunities for maintaining the situational awareness necessary for decision-making become substantially more difficult. In this type of situation, decisions often end up being made based on insufficient or even incorrect information, with potentially catastrophic results. This research is based on the ongoing SSMC/DDKM (Seamless Services and Mobile Connectivity in Distributed Disaster Knowledge Management) project, which has the context of the advanced usage of situational knowledge in connection with disasters and catastrophes. In practice, this type of situation requires close collaboration between different authorities and also the optimized, integrated use of management systems and resources. In this context there are various authorities involved and this time-critical operational environment requires effective and seamless collaboration related to information transmission for all participants. Typically, the authorities have had conventions and systems to compile information for their own needs, but difficulties have been observed in composing a shared situational awareness that includes the information captured from all authorities. In this paper methods and techniques are discussed which could promote the creation of collaborative situational awareness to support the collaboration of authorities in the management of disaster situations.