Abhishek Gupta

Bio: Abhishek Gupta is an academic researcher from Ryerson University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Autoencoder & Smart grid. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 7 publications receiving 35 citations.

Deep learning for object detection and scene perception in self-driving cars: Survey, challenges, and open issues

Abstract: This article presents a comprehensive survey of deep learning applications for object detection and scene perception in autonomous vehicles. Unlike existing review papers, we examine the theory underlying self-driving vehicles from deep learning perspective and current implementations, followed by their critical evaluations. Deep learning is one potential solution for object detection and scene perception problems, which can enable algorithm-driven and data-driven cars. In this article, we aim to bridge the gap between deep learning and self-driving cars through a comprehensive survey. We begin with an introduction to self-driving cars, deep learning, and computer vision followed by an overview of artificial general intelligence. Then, we classify existing powerful deep learning libraries and their role and significance in the growth of deep learning. Finally, we discuss several techniques that address the image perception issues in real-time driving, and critically evaluate recent implementations and tests conducted on self-driving cars. The findings and practices at various stages are summarized to correlate prevalent and futuristic techniques, and the applicability, scalability and feasibility of deep learning to self-driving cars for achieving safe driving without human intervention. Based on the current survey, several recommendations for further research are discussed at the end of this article.

Exploring Secure Visible Light Communication in Next-generation (6G) Internet-of-Things

Abstract: This article presents a comprehensive survey of visible light communication (VLC) between devices in 6G internet of things (IoT) architecture. For effective stationary and mobile device-to-device communication in both indoors and outdoors, VLC is envisaged as a technique that can enable a robust and inexpensive, interference and radiation-free IoT communications. Whereas the demands on the growth in IoT network traffic and expanded verticals are met through 5G, 5G+ and beyond 5G (B5G); communication between two IoT devices in close vicinity without resorting to radio frequency (RF) spectrum usage is still a challenging problem and lies at a crucial research stage. One potential solution is to resort to optical wireless communication (OWC), especially VLC to venture into alternatives to radio frequency (RF) communication. In this article, we aim to bridge the gap between VLC and its applications in IoT through a comprehensive survey of VLC and its applications in IoT. We begin with an introduction to IoT and emerging verticals such as internet-of-metasurfaces, internet-of- reflecting-surfaces, internet-of -nanothings, internet-of-bionanomaterials, and internet-of-space-things. Based on the current survey, several recommendations for further research are discussed at the end of this article.

Reliability and Availability Modeling Techniques in 6G IoT Networks: A Taxonomy and Survey

Abstract: This paper investigates the reliability assessment and availability prediction techniques used in modeling of advanced (next generation) wireless communication networks. The 5G, 5G+, beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G communication technologies are leading to emerging applications of wireless communication that use cloud computing, edge computing, and fog computing. In the last decade, various user-centric and service-oriented networks such as internet of things (IoT), smart cities, smart homes, smart grids, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have been deployed that use technologies such as network function virtualization (NVF), software defined networking (SDN), and 5G. This has led to proliferation of IoT devices and IoT applications in various critical usage systems such as intelligent transportation systems, smart healthcare, and e-commerce. The availability and reliability of wireless connectivity in IoT devices and nodes is of significant importance as unavailability of nodes or end-user devices even for a millisecond could cause failure of healthcare systems or lead to malfunction of connected and autonomous vehicles, or compromise the smart grids power generation and distribution, leading to fatal outcomes.

Policy-Gradient and Actor-Critic Based State Representation Learning for Safe Driving of Autonomous Vehicles.

Abstract: In this paper, we propose an environment perception framework for autonomous driving using state representation learning (SRL). Unlike existing Q-learning based methods for efficient environment perception and object detection, our proposed method takes the learning loss into account under deterministic as well as stochastic policy gradient. Through a combination of variational autoencoder (VAE), deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG), and soft actor-critic (SAC), we focus on uninterrupted and reasonably safe autonomous driving without steering off the track for a considerable driving distance. Our proposed technique exhibits learning in autonomous vehicles under complex interactions with the environment, without being explicitly trained on driving datasets. To ensure the effectiveness of the scheme over a sustained period of time, we employ a reward-penalty based system where a negative reward is associated with an unfavourable action and a positive reward is awarded for favourable actions. The results obtained through simulations on DonKey simulator show the effectiveness of our proposed method by examining the variations in policy loss, value loss, reward function, and cumulative reward for ‘VAE+DDPG’ and ‘VAE+SAC’ over the learning process.

Internet of Things-Aided Smart Grid: Technologies, Architectures, Applications, Prototypes, and Future Research Directions

Abstract: Traditional power grids are being transformed into smart grids (SGs) to address the issues in the existing power system due to uni-directional information flow, energy wastage, growing energy demand, reliability, and security. SGs offer bi-directional energy flow between service providers and consumers, involving power generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization systems. SGs employ various devices for the monitoring, analysis, and control of the grid, deployed at power plants, distribution centers, and in consumers' premises in a very large number. Hence, an SG requires connectivity, automation, and the tracking of such devices. This is achieved with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT helps SG systems to support various network functions throughout the generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption of energy by incorporating the IoT devices (such as sensors, actuators, and smart meters), as well as by providing the connectivity, automation, and tracking for such devices. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey on the IoT-aided SG systems, which includes the existing architectures, applications, and prototypes of the IoT-aided SG systems. This survey also highlights the open issues, challenges, and future research directions for the IoT-aided SG systems.

Blockchain Applications in Smart Grid–Review and Frameworks

Abstract: Modern power systems face different challenges such as the ever-increasing electrical energy demand, the massive growth of renewable energy with distributed generations, the large-scale Internet of Things (IoT) devices adaptation, the emerging cyber-physical security threats, and the main goal of maintaining the system’s stability and reliability. These challenges pose extreme pressure on finding advanced technologies and sustainable solutions for secure and reliable operations of the power system. The blockchain is one of the recent technologies that have gained lots of attention in different applications including smart grid for its uniqueness and decentralized nature. In the last few years, this technology grew a momentum specifically with the cryptocurrencies’ industry such as the Bitcoin and Etherium. The Blockchain’s applications in the smart grids could offer many innovative and affordable solutions to some of the challenges that the future and the current smart grids will be facing. This paper reviews different prospects, advantages, approaches, and technical challenges of utilizing the blockchain technology in the smart grid, and presents frameworks for key smart grid blockchain-based applications; more specifically, it is shown that how the blockchain can be used as the smart grid’s cyber-physical layer.

A Comprehensive Review of Recent Advances in Smart Grids: A Sustainable Future with Renewable Energy Resources

Abstract: The smart grid is an unprecedented opportunity to shift the current energy industry into a new era of a modernized network where the power generation, transmission, and distribution are intelligently, responsively, and cooperatively managed through a bi-directional automation system. Although the domains of smart grid applications and technologies vary in functions and forms, they generally share common potentials such as intelligent energy curtailment, efficient integration of Demand Response, Distributed Renewable Generation, and Energy Storage. This paper presents a comprehensive review categorically on the recent advances and previous research developments of the smart grid paradigm over the last two decades. The main intent of the study is to provide an application-focused survey where every category and sub-category herein are thoroughly and independently investigated. The preamble of the paper highlights the concept and the structure of the smart grids. The work presented intensively and extensively reviews the recent advances on the energy data management in smart grids, pricing modalities in a modernized power grid, and the predominant components of the smart grid. The paper thoroughly enumerates the recent advances in the area of network reliability. On the other hand, the reliance on smart cities on advanced communication infrastructure promotes more concerns regarding data integrity. Therefore, the paper dedicates a sub-section to highlight the challenges and the state-of-the-art of cybersecurity. Furthermore, highlighting the emerging developments in the pricing mechanisms concludes the review.

Artificial General Intelligence : Concept, State of the Art, and Future Prospects( Introduction to the Artificial General Intelligence)

Abstract: Abstract In recent years broad community of researchers has emerged, focusing on the original ambitious goals of the AI field - the creation and study of software or hardware systems with general intelligence comparable to, and ultimately perhaps greater than, that of human beings. This paper surveys this diverse community and its progress. Approaches to defining the concept of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) are reviewed including mathematical formalisms, engineering, and biology inspired perspectives. The spectrum of designs for AGI systems includes systems with symbolic, emergentist, hybrid and universalist characteristics. Metrics for general intelligence are evaluated, with a conclusion that, although metrics for assessing the achievement of human-level AGI may be relatively straightforward (e.g. the Turing Test, or a robot that can graduate from elementary school or university), metrics for assessing partial progress remain more controversial and problematic.

A Synthesized Dataset for Cybersecurity Study of IEC 61850 based Substation

Abstract: Cyber attacks pose a major threat to smart grid infrastructures where communication links bind physical devices to provide critical measurement, protection, and control functionalities. Substation is an integral part of a power system. Modern substations with intelligent electronic devices and remote access interface are more prone to cyber attacks. Hence, there is an urgent need to consider cybersecurity at the electrical substation level. This paper makes a systematic effort to develop a synthesized dataset focusing on IEC 61850 GOOSE communication that is essential for automation and protection in smart grid. The dataset is intended to facilitate the research community to study the cybersecurity of substations. We present the physical system of a typical distribution level substation and several of its critical electrical protection operation scenarios under different disturbances, followed by several cyber-attack scenarios. We have generated a dataset with multiple traces that correspond to these scenarios and demonstrated how the dataset can be used to support substation cybersecurity research.