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Jan Slacik

Bio: Jan Slacik is an academic researcher from Brno University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Smart grid & Power-line communication. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 24 publications receiving 125 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, power line communication (PLC) technologies and narrowband PLC standards are described and the analysis of available PLC modems is presented. And the results of experimental measurement of data rate of PLC module are introduced.

32 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a unified methodology which takes into account the advantages and disadvantages of different Power Line Communication (PLC) technologies suitable for Smart Metering deployment is presented. But this methodology is not suitable for large-scale deployment.
Abstract: The paper describes a unified methodology which takes into account the advantages and disadvantages of different Power Line Communication (PLC) technologies suitable for Smart Metering deployment. The methodology should provide a detailed evaluation of PLC technologies based on a clear definition of the different parameters and their measurement. Based on this methodology, we should be able to provide a comparison of the selected technologies and the methodology should also provide data for the design of a telecommunication infrastructure for Smart Metering/Smart Grids. In this paper and based on this methodology, we also present the performance tests carried out in laboratory environment on low voltage and in on-field conditions on medium voltage.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.eie.24.3.20983

20 citations

Proceedings ArticleDOI
22 May 2017
TL;DR: It is shown, that the efficiency might be noticeably higher with appropriate management schema, and the efficiency increase might be done only with changing the management schemes.
Abstract: The technological changes bring us closer to the smart cities solutions. New wireless technologies are opening different areas of city management, smart sensing and measurements. These technologies might be used for more efficient solutions. Through the smart solution, the smart public light management is currently quite hot area, where might be saved systems costs or power. We are focused on proving that the efficiency increase might be done only with changing the management schemes. The paper provides different simulations of public light management schemes. It is shown, that the efficiency might be noticeably higher with appropriate management schema.

19 citations

Proceedings ArticleDOI
01 Oct 2016
TL;DR: Based on noise analysis and measurement results, adaptive communication approaches was discussed and a method for managing the power line topology and noise analysis is proposed.
Abstract: The key to the Smart Grid vision are the communication networks, which serve as the fundamental information infrastructure to provide bidirectional end-to-end data communication in the Smart Grid. To enable this bidirectional end-to-end data communication, narrowband power line communication (PLC) systems are attractive because they can be deployed over existing outdoor power lines. The paper describes PLC technologies, especially narrowband PLC technology. The recent advances in power line noise characterization, measurements and modelling were analysed. Based on this analysis, the experimental measurements of power line noise influence in 3-500 kHz range were identified as a challenging problem and yet seldom reported. Therefore, the paper describes the experimental measurements and the influence of particular noises on the narrowband PLC communication. Based on noise analysis and measurement results, adaptive communication approaches was discussed and a method for managing the power line topology and noise analysis is proposed.

17 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The novel idea of simple performance assessment of broadband PLC communication via simulation is exploited, supposed to be used to understand, evaluate, and test the grid configuration before deployment before deployment.
Abstract: Building real Smart Metering and Smart Grid networks is very expensive and time-consuming and also it is impossible to install different technologies in the same environment only for comparison. Therefore, simulation and experimental pilot measurements are an easy, economical, and time-affordable solution for a first comparison and evaluation of different technologies and solutions. The local area networks (LAN) are the core of Smart Metering and Smart Grid networks. The two predominant technologies are mostly sufficient for LAN networks, Power Line Communication (PLC), and radio frequency (RF) solutions. For PLC it is hard to allow prediction of the behaviour. Performance assessment for point-to-point connection is easy, but for complex PLC networks with repeaters it is quite expensive. Therefore, a simulation is an easy, fast, and cheap solution for understanding the grid configuration, influence of particular topological components, and performance possibilities. Simulation results can, thus, provide material for the design of a telecommunication infrastructure for Smart Metering. This paper presents results of such a simulation study. It is based on realistic PLC channel model implementation in Network Simulator 3, our modification and extension of this implementation for our use case scenario. It uses Shannon’s formula to calculate theoretical maximum channel capacity. In particular, it provides channel capacity and achievable distances of broadband PLC (BB-PLC). In this article we also exploit our novel idea of simple performance assessment of broadband PLC communication via simulation. It is supposed to be used to understand, evaluate, and test the grid configuration before deployment.

15 citations


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Journal ArticleDOI
06 Apr 2018-Sensors
TL;DR: Results show that a proper parameter setting is needed to cover large urban areas while maintaining the airtime sufficiently low to keep packet losses at satisfactory levels, as well as assessing the coverage and the performance of the LoRa technology in a real urban scenario.
Abstract: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), through wireless communications and the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm, are the enabling keys for transforming traditional cities into smart cities, since they provide the core infrastructure behind public utilities and services. However, to be effective, IoT-based services could require different technologies and network topologies, even when addressing the same urban scenario. In this paper, we highlight this aspect and present two smart city testbeds developed in Italy. The first one concerns a smart infrastructure for public lighting and relies on a heterogeneous network using the IEEE 802.15.4 short-range communication technology, whereas the second one addresses smart-building applications and is based on the LoRa low-rate, long-range communication technology. The smart lighting scenario is discussed providing the technical details and the economic benefits of a large-scale (around 3000 light poles) flexible and modular implementation of a public lighting infrastructure, while the smart-building testbed is investigated, through measurement campaigns and simulations, assessing the coverage and the performance of the LoRa technology in a real urban scenario. Results show that a proper parameter setting is needed to cover large urban areas while maintaining the airtime sufficiently low to keep packet losses at satisfactory levels.

128 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented a novel smart street lighting (SmSL) system in which energy consumption by a group of street lighting poles is minimized based on Brute-Force search algorithm.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel smart street lighting (SmSL) system in which energy consumption by a group of street lighting poles is minimized based on Brute-Force search algorithm. While outdoor lighting imposes considerable cost, maintenance, safety, and environmental issues; utilization of advanced street lighting system with energy saving, autonomous fault detection, and monitoring capabilities benefits all the players involved including municipalities and distribution companies. The proposed SmSL has a hierarchical platform. The segment or intermediate controller determines the scheduling, switching, and dimming level of each pole based on the proposed optimization subroutine and transmits the controller set points to the local pole controller through power line communications. Optimization of street lighting electrical energy is achieved by minimizing a cost function, considering operational constraints, ambient luminance, and local traffic flow. The local controller acts as an actuator and applies the received commands. The controller inherently responses to lamp fault. Moreover, pole electrical parameters and status of the lamp and its capacitor is transmitted to the intermediate controller. The supervisory controller, which is installed on a server in distribution center monitors the whole system and sends appropriate commands such as minimum required luminance in the area to the segment controller based on WiMAX wireless communications. The whole system is developed and implemented in a pilot street. The experimental results show considerable energy saving with the proposed SmSL and reduced maintenance costs.

62 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A framework of a Crowd Control and Health Management System specially designed to prevent and manage stampedes and other disasters, which makes use of various kinds of wireless, mobile, and other technologies and tools is presented.
Abstract: Thousands of people have lost their lives in stampedes and other crowd related disasters in recent years. Most of these fatalities seem to have been caused by poor control and management of crowds, which is discussed in this article. An efficient and effective crowd management system must also have a plan to deal with the ongoing threat of terrorism and outbreak of various kinds of communicable diseases. In this article, we present a framework of a Crowd Control and Health Management System specially designed to prevent and manage stampedes and other disasters. The system has two subsystems; one for dealing with the management of stampedes and other disasters and the other with healthcare management. As part of the proposed system, an algorithm for an early detection of stampedes, with proof and simulation of implementation, is provided. As part of the healthcare management subsystem, we integrate several mobile applications and develop four of them dealing with relief issues, blood donations, complaints and alerts, and utilizing mobile phones as a sensor device. Our system makes use of various kinds of wireless, mobile, and other technologies and tools including Fog Computing, Smart Phones, Smart Digital Street, IP-Cameras, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Voice Alarm, Light Alarm, and Global Positioning System (GPS). We compare merits and effectiveness of RFID and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), as well as those of Cloud and Fog with a view of using them as part of the proposed framework. We also discuss applications of our systems in real-life cases of Hajj, an annual pilgrimage of millions of people to Mecca, and Kumbh Mela, a periodic gathering of tens of millions of people in India, both of which have accounted for the majority of fatalities in stampedes and other disasters.

56 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A novel representation model is introduced that is destined for monitoring the IoT environment at runtime, expressing the overall quality of the system, and helping to utilize the available resources efficiently and encourage the efficient utilization of resources and simplify the production of next-generation IoT solutions.
Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) is a paradigm aimed at connecting everyday objects to the internet. IoT applications include smart cities, healthcare, agriculture, as well as the industry and manufacturing. The ability to monitor and control the physical world using information technology creates many opportunities. However, it also comes with some costs. The exponential growth of connected devices, the heterogeneity of IoT use cases, and the diversity of the network technologies yield a concern regarding IoT sustainability. With this work, we aim to contribute to this concern. In doing so, we introduce a novel representation model that is destined for (i) monitoring the IoT environment at runtime, (ii) expressing the overall quality of the system, and (iii) helping to utilize the available resources efficiently. We also define a feature set that describes the best the expectations of decentralized IoT platforms. Furthermore, we describe a quality-enabled decentralized IoT architecture too that incorporates the specified feature set as well as our representation model. Such solutions are necessary to improve and maintain IoT of the future and all its application domains, including the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). With the presented research, we aim to encourage the efficient utilization of resources and simplify the production of next-generation IoT solutions.

44 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A thorough discussion on network architectures and communication technologies that could be adopted for smart public lighting applications, showing their benefits and downsides and the benefits that would arise from integration with the upcoming 5G cellular network are provided.
Abstract: Street lighting characterizes many smart city initiatives around the world. In fact, significant savings can be achieved by not only replacing traditional luminaires with low-power LEDs, but also providing streetlights with smart light controllers and network connectivity, allowing the introduction of a sensible light intensity management and reduction of maintenance costs. Moreover, if designed with a far-looking view, smart lighting infrastructure could also support city-wide Internet of Things services, becoming key enablers of the smart city revolution, also in the 5G perspective. In this paper, we provide a thorough discussion on network architectures and communication technologies that could be adopted for smart public lighting applications, showing their benefits and downsides. Starting with significant activity on research, implementation and in-field testing, we also outline the steps required for the deployment of a smart public lighting infrastructure, each discussed in accordance with the network topology considered. Finally, we introduce some additional services that a smart public lighting infrastructure could support and discuss the benefits that would arise from integration with the upcoming 5G cellular network.

41 citations