Nedal Ababneh

Bio: Nedal Ababneh is an academic researcher from Télécom ParisTech. The author has contributed to research in topics: Wireless sensor network & Dynamic Source Routing. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 30 publications receiving 349 citations. Previous affiliations of Nedal Ababneh include Victoria University, Australia & College of Information Technology.

A Survey on Conversational Agents/Chatbots Classification and Design Techniques

Abstract: A chatbot can be defined as a computer program, designed to interact with users using natural language or text in a way that the user thinks he is having dialogue with a human. Most of the chatbots utilise the algorithms of artificial intelligence (AI) in order to generate required response. Earlier chatbots merely created an illusion of intelligence by employing much simpler pattern matching and string processing design techniques for their interaction with users using rule-based and generative-based models. However, with the emergence of new technologies more intelligent systems have emerged using complex knowledge-based models. This paper aims to discuss chatbots classification, their design techniques used in earlier and modern chatbots and how the two main categories of chatbots handle conversation context.

Adaptive routing for multihop IEEE 802.15.6 Wireless Body Area Networks

Abstract: Wireless Body Area Networks (BANs) have the ability of gathering and sending on-body measurements to a terminal. Autonomous nodes are deployed on the body to monitor vital signs and environmental parameters. The IEEE 802.15.6 standard mainly specifies physical and medium access for BANs. Routing is discussed as part of the link layer and multihop is not fully considered. Several studies state that multihop for BANs improves the network performance by reducing energy consumption and, thus, extending network lifetime. This work presents the Adaptive Multihop tree-based Routing (AMR) protocol that is extensively evaluated in a real testbed deployment. Fuzzy logic is proposed to evaluate several node and network parameters in order to improve network performance in terms of throughput and energy consumption. Experimental results show that the effective parameter combination when using fuzzy logic is able to extend network lifetime by balancing out energy consumption throughout network nodes.

Energy-Balanced Rate Assignment and Routing Protocol for Body Area Networks

Abstract: In Body Area Networks (BANs), quality of service is needed to provide reliable data communication over prioritized data streams coming from energy constrained sensors attached to, or possibly implanted in, patients. In this work, we focus on BAN for real-time data streaming applications, where the real-time nature of data streams is of critical importance for providing a useful and efficient sensorial feedback for the user while system lifetime should be maximized. Thus, bandwidth, throughput and energy efficiency of the communication protocol must be carefully optimized. In this paper, we present an Energy-Balanced Rate Assignment and Routing Protocol (EBRAR). EBRAR selects routes based on the residual energy, thus, instead of continuously routing data through an optimized (energy efficient) fixed path, the data is transported more intelligently and the burden of forwarding the data is more equally spread among the nodes. Another unique property of EBRAR is its ability to provide adaptive resource allocation. Our experimental results show that the proposed protocol performs well in terms of balancing energy consumption across the BAN and thus guarantees longer network lifetime.

Radio irregularity problem in wireless sensor networks: New experimental results

Abstract: A key design issue in wireless networks is represented by the irregular and dynamic radio coverage at each node. This is especially true for wireless sensor networks, which usually employ low quality radio modules to reduce the cost. It results in irregularity in radio coverage and variations in packet reception in different directions. Due to its likely impact on the upper layer protocols, many services, such as localization, routing and others, needs to be resilient to the irregular and dynamic radio propagation, and to include mechanisms to deal with these problems. As such, accurate models of radio propagation patterns are important for protocol design and evaluation. In this paper, measurements of radio propagation patterns have been carried out using the motes themselves. With empirical data obtained from the Mica2 platforms we were able to observe and further quantify such phenomena. The results demonstrate that the radio pattern is largely random; however, radio signal attenuation varies along different direction, and more importantly, is time-varying while stationary.

ECTC: Energy effiCient topology control algorithm for wireless sensor networks

Abstract: Sensor network which operates on battery are used to gather data in a variety of environments. The data collected by each node is communicated through the network to the sink, which uses all reported data to determine characteristics of the environment or detect an event. Prolonging sensor's operable lifetime is a main design challenge of these networks. A good energy saving technique in this direction is to schedule nodes sleep interval with the communication radio turned off. In this paper, we propose a distributed topology control algorithm, termed ECTC, which uses a clustering approach. It is built on the notion that when a region of a shared channel wireless sensor network has a sufficient density of nodes, significant energy saving is obtained by allowing redundant nodes to sleep. Using the two-hop neighborhood information, certain nodes sequentially select a subset of nodes to be active among all nodes in the neighborhood, to ensure connectivity. Moreover, to ensure fairness, the role of active nodes is rotated periodically to ensure energy-balanced operations. Results from stochastic geometry are used to derive solutions for the values of parameters of our algorithm that minimize the total energy spent in the network when all sensor nodes report data through the cluster heads to the sink.

IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks Part 16: Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems Draft Amendment: Management Information Base Extensions

Abstract: This document provides updates to IEEE Std 802.16's MIB for the MAC, PHY and asso- ciated management procedures in order to accommodate recent extensions to the standard.

Wireless Body Area Networks: A Survey

Abstract: Recent developments and technological advancements in wireless communication, MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) technology and integrated circuits has enabled low-power, intelligent, miniaturized, invasive/non-invasive micro and nano-technology sensor nodes strategically placed in or around the human body to be used in various applications, such as personal health monitoring. This exciting new area of research is called Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) and leverages the emerging IEEE 802.15.6 and IEEE 802.15.4j standards, specifically standardized for medical WBANs. The aim of WBANs is to simplify and improve speed, accuracy, and reliability of communication of sensors/actuators within, on, and in the immediate proximity of a human body. The vast scope of challenges associated with WBANs has led to numerous publications. In this paper, we survey the current state-of-art of WBANs based on the latest standards and publications. Open issues and challenges within each area are also explored as a source of inspiration towards future developments in WBANs.

Fairness in Wireless Networks:Issues, Measures and Challenges

Abstract: The pervasiveness of wireless technology has indeed created massive opportunity to integrate almost everything into the Internet fabric. This can be seen with the advent of Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems, which involves cooperation of massive number of intelligent devices to provide intelligent services. Fairness amongst these devices is an important issue that can be analysed from several dimensions, e.g., energy usage, achieving required quality of services, spectrum sharing, and so on. This article focusses on these viewpoints while looking at fairness research. To generalize, mainly wireless networks are considered. First, we present a general view of fairness studies, and pose three core questions that help us delineate the nuances in defining fairness. Then, the existing fairness models are summarized and compared. We also look into the major fairness research domains in wireless networks such as fair energy consumption control, power control, topology control, link and flow scheduling, channel assignment, rate allocation, congestion control and routing protocols. We make a distinction amongst fairness, utility and resource allocation to begin with. Later, we present their inter-relation. At the end of this article, we list the common properties of fairness and give an example of fairness management. Several open research challenges that point to further work on fairness in wireless networks are also discussed. Indeed, the research on fairness is entangled with many other aspects such as performance, utility, optimization and throughput at the network and node levels. While consolidating the contributions in the literature, this article tries to explain the niceties of all these aspects in the domain of wireless networking.

Proof of Concept

Abstract: The previous part discusses the GI/BSI/DFKI Protection Profile which constitutes after the implementation of the identified improvements as the proposed evaluation methodology for remote electronic voting systems. The result can now be applied to available systems. Currently, there is no system that has been evaluated against the GI/BSI/DFKI Protection Profile or even against the improved version.

A low-delay protocol for multishop wireless body area networks

Abstract: Wireless body area networks (WBANs) form a new and interesting area in the world of remote health monitoring. An important concern in such networks is the communication between the sensors. This communication needs to be energy efficient and highly reliable while keeping delays low. Mobility also has to be supported as the nodes are positioned on different parts of the body that move with regard to each other. In this paper, we present a new cross-layer communication protocol for WBANs: CICADA or Cascading Information retrieval by Controlling Access with Distributed slot Assignment. The protocol sets up a network tree in a distributed manner. This tree structure is subsequently used to guarantee collision free access to the medium and to route data towards the sink. The paper analyzes CICADA and shows simulation results. The protocol offers low delay and good resilience to mobility. The energy usage is low as the nodes can sleep in slots where they are not transmitting or receiving.