Showing papers on "Testbed published in 2017"

UAV-Based IoT Platform: A Crowd Surveillance Use Case

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles are gaining a lot of popularity among an ever growing community of amateurs as well as service providers. Emerging technologies, such as LTE 4G/5G networks and mobile edge computing, will widen the use case scenarios of UAVs. In this article, we discuss the potential of UAVs, equipped with IoT devices, in delivering IoT services from great heights. A high-level view of a UAV-based integrative IoT platform for the delivery of IoT services from large height, along with the overall system orchestrator, is presented in this article. As an envisioned use case of the platform, the article demonstrates how UAVs can be used for crowd surveillance based on face recognition. To evaluate the use case, we study the offloading of video data processing to a MEC node compared to the local processing of video data onboard UAVs. For this, we developed a testbed consisting of a local processing node and one MEC node. To perform face recognition, the Local Binary Pattern Histogram method from the Open Source Computer Vision is used. The obtained results demonstrate the efficiency of the MEC-based offloading approach in saving the scarce energy of UAVs, reducing the processing time of recognition, and promptly detecting suspicious persons.

SketchVisor: Robust Network Measurement for Software Packet Processing

Abstract: Network measurement remains a missing piece in today's software packet processing platforms. Sketches provide a promising building block for filling this void by monitoring every packet with fixed-size memory and bounded errors. However, our analysis shows that existing sketch-based measurement solutions suffer from severe performance drops under high traffic load. Although sketches are efficiently designed, applying them in network measurement inevitably incurs heavy computational overhead.We present SketchVisor, a robust network measurement framework for software packet processing. It augments sketch-based measurement in the data plane with a fast path, which is activated under high traffic load to provide high-performance local measurement with slight accuracy degradations. It further recovers accurate network-wide measurement results via compressive sensing. We have built a SketchVisor prototype on top of Open vSwitch. Extensive testbed experiments show that SketchVisor achieves high throughput and high accuracy for a wide range of network measurement tasks and microbenchmarks.

WADI: a water distribution testbed for research in the design of secure cyber physical systems

Abstract: The architecture of a water distribution testbed (WADI), and on-going research in the design of secure water distribution system is presented. WADI consists of three stages controlled by Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and two stages controlled via Remote Terminal Units (RTUs). Each PLC and RTU uses sensors to estimate the system state and the actuators to effect control. WADI is currently used to (a) conduct security analysis for water distribution networks, (b) experimentally assess detection mechanisms for potential cyber and physical attacks, and (c) understand how the impact of an attack on one CPS could cascade to other connected CPSs. The cascading effects of attacks can be studied in WADI through its connection to two other testbeds, namely for water treatment and power generation and distribution.

The World’s First Real-Time Testbed for Massive MIMO: Design, Implementation, and Validation

Abstract: This paper sets up a framework for designing a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) testbed by investigating hardware (HW) and system-level requirements, such as processing complexity, duplexing mode, and frame structure. Taking these into account, a generic system and processing partitioning is proposed, which allows flexible scaling and processing distribution onto a multitude of physically separated devices. Based on the given HW constraints such as maximum number of links and maximum throughput for peer-to-peer interconnections combined with processing capabilities, the framework allows to evaluate modular HW components. To verify our design approach, we present the Lund University Massive MIMO testbed, which constitutes the first reconfigurable real-time HW platform for prototyping massive MIMO. Utilizing up to 100 base station antennas and more than 50 field programmable gate array, up to 12 user equipment are served on the same time/frequency resource using an LTE-like orthogonal frequency division multiplexing time-division duplex-based transmission scheme. Proof-of-concept tests with this system show that massive MIMO can simultaneously serve a multitude of users in a static indoor and static outdoor environment utilizing the same time/frequency resource.

5G Radio Access Network Design with the Fog Paradigm: Confluence of Communications and Computing

Abstract: Cloud-based wireless networking system applies centralized resource pooling to improve operation efficiency. Fog-based wireless networking system reduces latency by placing processing units in the network edge. Confluence of fog and cloud design paradigms in 5G radio access network will better support diverse applications. In this article, we describe the recent advances in fog radio access network (F-RAN) research, hybrid fog-cloud architecture, and system design issues. Furthermore, the GPP platform facilitates the confluence of computational and communications processing. Through observations from GPP platform testbed experiments and simulations, we discuss the opportunities of integrating the GPP platform with F-RAN architecture.

An empirical characterization of IFTTT: ecosystem, usage, and performance

Abstract: IFTTT is a popular trigger-action programming platform whose applets can automate more than 400 services of IoT devices and web applications. We conduct an empirical study of IFTTT using a combined approach of analyzing data collected for 6 months and performing controlled experiments using a custom testbed. We profile the interactions among different entities, measure how applets are used by end users, and test the performance of applet execution. Overall we observe the fast growth of the IFTTT ecosystem and its increasing usage for automating IoT-related tasks, which correspond to 52% of all services and 16% of the applet usage. We also observe several performance inefficiencies and identify their causes.

Adaptive Real-Time Communication for Wireless Cyber-Physical Systems

Abstract: Low-power wireless technology promises greater flexibility and lower costs in cyber-physical systems. To reap these benefits, communication protocols must deliver packets reliably within real-time deadlines across resource-constrained devices, while adapting to changes in application requirements (e.g., traffic demands) and network state (e.g., link qualities). Existing protocols do not solve all these challenges simultaneously, because their operation is either localized or a function of network state, which changes unpredictably over time. By contrast, this article claims a global approach that does not use network state information as input can overcome these limitations. The Blink protocol proves this claim by providing hard guarantees on end-to-end deadlines of received packets in multi-hop low-power wireless networks, while seamlessly handling changes in application requirements and network state. We build Blink on the non-real-time Low-Power Wireless Bus (LWB) and design new scheduling algorithms based on the earliest-deadline-first policy. Using a dedicated priority queue data structure, we demonstrate a viable implementation of our algorithms on resource-constrained devices. Experiments show that Blink (i) meets all deadlines of received packets, (ii) delivers 99.97% of packets on a 94-node testbed, (iii) minimizes communication energy consumption within the limits of the underlying LWB, (iv) supports end-to-end deadlines of 100ms across four hops and nine sources, and (v) runs up to 4.1 × faster than a conventional scheduler implementation on popular microcontrollers.

Wireless-Powered Sensor Networks: How to Realize

Abstract: In this paper, we study a multi-antenna wireless-powered sensor network (WPSN), in which a power beacon wirelessly transfers electric energy to a sensor node via an electromagnetic wave We have implemented a real-life multi-antenna WPSN testbed and conducted extensive experiments on the testbed The key technology for the high-efficiency WPSN is an adaptive energy beamforming scheme that dynamically steers a microwave beam towards a sensor node We propose a receive power-based channel estimation and energy beamforming algorithm In addition, an adaptive duty cycle control algorithm is proposed to prevent energy storage of a sensor node from being depleted The proposed duty cycle control algorithm is designed based on a proportional–integral–derivative controller These algorithms are all implemented in the multi-antenna WPSN testbed By experiments, we validate the feasibility of the multi-antenna WPSN, and show the performance of the proposed algorithms

Transparent cross-technology communication over data traffic

Abstract: Cross-technology communication (CTC) techniques are introduced in recent literatures to explore the opportunities of collaboration between heterogeneous wireless technologies, such as WiFi and ZigBee. Their applications include context-aware services and global channel coordination. However, state-of-the-art CTC schemes either suffer from channel inefficiency, low throughput, or disruption to existing networks. This paper presents the CTC via data packets (DCTC), which takes advantage of abundant existing data packets to construct recognizable energy patterns. DCTC features (i) a significant enhancement in CTC throughput while (ii) keeping transparent to upper layer protocols and applications. Our design also features advanced functions including multiplexing to support concurrent transmissions of multiple DCTC senders and adaptive rate control according to the traffic volume. Testbed implementations across WiFi and ZigBee platforms demonstrate reliable bidirectional communication of over 95% in accuracy while achieving throughput 2.3x of the state of the art. Meanwhile, experiment results show that DCTC has little and bounded impact on the delay and throughput of original data traffic.

Experience: An Open Platform for Experimentation with Commercial Mobile Broadband Networks

Abstract: Open experimentation with operational Mobile Broadband (MBB) networks in the wild is currently a fundamental requirement of the research community in its endeavor to address the need of innovative solutions for mobile communications. Even more, there is a strong need for objective data about stability and performance of MBB (e.g., 3G/4G) networks, and for tools that rigorously and scientifically assess their status. In this paper, we introduce the MONROE measurement platform: an open access and flexible hardware-based platform for measurements and custom experimentation on operational MBB networks. The MONROE platform enables accurate, realistic and meaningful assessment of the performance and reliability of 11 MBB networks in Europe. We report on our experience designing, implementing and testing the solution we propose for the platform. We detail the challenges we overcame while building and testing the MONROE testbed and argue our design and implementation choices accordingly. We describe and exemplify the capabilities of the platform and the wide variety of experiments that external users already perform using the system.

Field trial of Machine-Learning-assisted and SDN-based Optical Network Planning with Network-Scale Monitoring Database

Abstract: An SDN based network planning framework utilizing machine-learning techniques and a network-scale monitoring database is implemented over an optical field-trial testbed comprised of 436.4km fibre. Adaption of the spectral efficiency utilising probabilistic-shaping BVT based on link performance prediction is demonstrated.

Lightweight & secure industrial IoT communications via the MQ telemetry transport protocol

Abstract: Massive advancements in computing and communication technologies have enabled the ubiquitous presence of interconnected computing devices in all aspects of modern life, forming what is typically referred to as the “Internet of Things”. These major changes could not leave the industrial environment unaffected, with “smart” industrial deployments gradually becoming a reality; a trend that is often referred to as the 4th industrial revolution or Industry 4.0. Nevertheless, the direct interaction of the smart devices with the physical world and their resource constraints, along with the strict performance, security, and reliability requirements of industrial infrastructures, necessitate the adoption of lightweight as well as secure communication mechanisms. Motivated by the above, this paper highlights the Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) as a lightweight protocol suitable for the industrial domain, presenting a comprehensive evaluation of different security mechanisms that could be used to protect the MQTT-enabled interactions on a real testbed of wireless sensor motes. Moreover, the applicability of the proposed solutions is assessed in the context of a real industrial application, analyzing the network characteristics and requirements of an actual, operating wind park, as a representative use case of industrial networks.

Empirical Study and Enhancements of Industrial Wireless Sensor–Actuator Network Protocols

Abstract: Wireless sensor–actuator networks (WSANs) offer an appealing communication technology for process automation applications to incorporate the Internet of Things (IoT). In contrast to other IoT applications, process automation poses unique challenges for industrial WSAN due to its critical demands on reliable and real-time communication. While industrial WSANs have received increasing attention in the research community recently, most published results to date have focused on the theoretical aspects and were evaluated based on simulations. There is a critical need for experimental research on this important class of WSANs. We developed an experimental testbed by implementing several key network protocols of WirelessHART, an open standard for WSANs that has been widely adopted in the process industries based on the HART. We then performed a series of empirical studies showing that graph routing leads to significant improvement over source routing in terms of worst-case reliability, but at the cost of longer latency and higher energy consumption. It is therefore important to employ graph routing algorithms specifically designed to optimize latency and energy efficiency. Our studies also suggest that channel hopping can mitigate the burstiness of transmission failures; a larger channel distance can reduce consecutive transmission failures over links sharing a common receiver. Based on these insights, we developed a novel channel hopping algorithm that utilizes far away channels for transmissions. Furthermore, it prevents links sharing the same destination from using channels with strong correlations. Our experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm can significantly improve network reliability and energy efficiency.

Blockchain-based trusted authentication in cloud radio over fiber network for 5G

Abstract: Cloud radio access network (C-RAN) interconnects thousands of terminal devices to support the services of Internet of Things (IoT) in 5G area. However, centralized access authentication of each terminal has been performed in mobile core network which causes an extremely high operating and capital expenditure of network. Traditional C-RAN cannot provide an authentic mechanism to guarantee the security of services and creditability of device and resource accessing with low network cost. We first propose a blockchain-based trusted authentication (BTA) architecture for 5G with blockchain-based anonymous access (BAA) scheme in cloud radio over fiber network. The feasibility and efficiency are verified on enhanced SDN testbed to enable blockchain as a service.

Performance Evaluation of Container-based Virtualization for High Performance Computing Environments

Abstract: Virtualization technologies have evolved along with the development of computational environments since virtualization offered needed features at that time such as isolation, accountability, resource allocation, resource fair sharing and so on. Novel processor technologies bring to commodity computers the possibility to emulate diverse environments where a wide range of computational scenarios can be run. Along with processors evolution, system developers have created different virtualization mechanisms where each new development enhanced the performance of previous virtualized environments. Recently, operating system-based virtualization technologies captured the attention of communities abroad (from industry to academy and research) because their important improvements on performance area. In this paper, the features of three container-based operating systems virtualization tools (LXC, Docker and Singularity) are presented. LXC, Docker, Singularity and bare metal are put under test through a customized single node HPL-Benchmark and a MPI-based application for the multi node testbed. Also the disk I/O performance, Memory (RAM) performance, Network bandwidth and GPU performance are tested for the COS technologies vs bare metal. Preliminary results and conclusions around them are presented and discussed.

Towards a testbed for dynamic vehicle routing algorithms

Abstract: Since modern transport services are becoming more flexible, demand-responsive, and energy/cost efficient, there is a growing demand for large-scale microscopic simulation platforms in order to test sophisticated routing algorithms. Such platforms have to simulate in detail, not only the dynamically changing demand and supply of the relevant service, but also traffic flow and other relevant transport services. This paper presents the DVRP extension to the open-source MATSim simulator. The extension is designed to be highly general and customizable to simulate a wide range of dynamic rich vehicle routing problems. The extension allows plugging in of various algorithms that are responsible for continuous re-optimisation of routes in response to changes in the system. The DVRP extension has been used in many research and commercial projects dealing with simulation of electric and autonomous taxis, demand-responsive transport, personal rapid transport, free-floating car sharing and parking search.

The ADRENALINE testbed: An SDN/NFV packet/optical transport network and edge/core cloud platform for end-to-end 5G and IoT services

Abstract: The fifth generation of mobile networks (5G) and the internet of Things (IoT) impose very stringent requirements to the optical transport networks. On the one hand, high flexibility, ultra-low latency and high capacity, in order to support the forecasted 1000x growth in mobile data traffic with latencies below millisecond. On the other hand, massive edge and core cloud infrastructure integrated with the transport network to dynamically deploy NFV, MEC, and IoT analytics. This paper presents ADRENALINTE testbed, an SDN/NFV packet/optical transport network and edge/core cloud platform for end-to-end 5G and IoT services.

X60: A Programmable Testbed for Wideband 60 GHz WLANs with Phased Arrays

Abstract: This paper introduces X60, the first SDR-based testbed for 60 GHz WLANs, featuring fully programmable MAC/PHY/Network layers, multi-Gbps rates, and a user-configurable 12-element phased antenna array. Combined these features provide an unprecedented opportunity to re-examine the most important aspects of signal propagation and performance expected from practical 60 GHz systems. Leveraging the testbed's capabilities, we conduct an extensive measurement study, looking at different aspects of indoor 60 GHz links. We find that the presence of reflective surfaces and imperfect beams generated by practical phased arrays together can result in multiple NLoS paths supporting Gbps rates. Additionally, our comparison of different beam adaptation strategies reveals how beam steering even at one end of the link can often be sufficient to restore link quality.

A Tale of Two Topologies: Exploring Convertible Data Center Network Architectures with Flat-tree

Abstract: This paper promotes convertible data center network architectures, which can dynamically change the network topology to combine the benefits of multiple architectures. We propose the flat-tree prototype architecture as the first step to realize this concept. Flat-tree can be implemented as a Clos network and later be converted to approximate random graphs of different sizes, thus achieving both Clos-like implementation simplicity and random-graph-like transmission performance. We present the detailed design for the network architecture and the control system. Simulations using real data center traffic traces show that flat-tree is able to optimize various workloads with different topology options. We implement an example flat-tree network on a 20-switch 24-server testbed. The traffic reaches the maximal throughput in 2.5s after a topology change, proving the feasibility of converting topology at run time. The network core bandwidth is increased by 27.6% just by converting the topology from Clos to approximate random graph. This improvement can be translated into acceleration of applications as we observe reduced communication time in Spark and Hadoop jobs.

OAuth-IoT: An access control framework for the Internet of Things based on open standards

Abstract: While the Internet of Things is breaking into the market, the controlled access to constrained resources still remains a blocking concern. Unfortunately, conventional solutions already accepted for both web and cloud applications cannot be directly used in this context. In fact, they generally require high computational and bandwidth capabilities (that are impossible to reach with constrained devices) and offer poor interoperability against standardized communication protocols for the Internet of Things. To solve this issue, this contribution presents a flexible authentication and authorization framework for the Internet of Things, namely OAuth-IoT. It leverages and properly harmonizes existing open-standards (including the OAuth 2.0 authorization framework, different token formats, and the protocol suite for the Internet of Things tailored by the Internet Engineering Task Force), while carefully taking into account the limited capabilities of constrained devices. Functionalities and benefits offered by OAuth-IoT are pragmatically shown by means of an experimental testbed, and further demonstrated with a very preliminary performance assessment.

Implementation of quantum key distribution network simulation module in the network simulator NS-3

Abstract: As the research in quantum key distribution (QKD) technology grows larger and becomes more complex, the need for highly accurate and scalable simulation technologies becomes important to assess the practical feasibility and foresee difficulties in the practical implementation of theoretical achievements. Due to the specificity of the QKD link which requires optical and Internet connection between the network nodes, to deploy a complete testbed containing multiple network hosts and links to validate and verify a certain network algorithm or protocol would be very costly. Network simulators in these circumstances save vast amounts of money and time in accomplishing such a task. The simulation environment offers the creation of complex network topologies, a high degree of control and repeatable experiments, which in turn allows researchers to conduct experiments and confirm their results. In this paper, we described the design of the QKD network simulation module which was developed in the network simulator of version 3 (NS-3). The module supports simulation of the QKD network in an overlay mode or in a single TCP/IP mode. Therefore, it can be used to simulate other network technologies regardless of QKD.

Accelerating Innovation that Enhances Resource Recovery in the Wastewater Sector: Advancing a National Testbed Network.

Abstract: This Feature examines significant challenges and opportunities to spur innovation and accelerate adoption of reliable technologies that enhance integrated resource recovery in the wastewater sector through the creation of a national testbed network. The network is a virtual entity that connects appropriate physical testing facilities, and other components needed for a testbed network, with researchers, investors, technology providers, utilities, regulators, and other stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies and processes that are needed for the water resource recovery facility of the future. Here we summarize and extract key issues and developments, to provide a strategy for the wastewater sector to accelerate a path forward that leads to new sustainable water infrastructures.

Dynamic air-bearing hardware-in-the-loop testbed to experimentally evaluate autonomous spacecraft proximity maneuvers

Abstract: Ground-based testbeds are critical to develop and test different elements of spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control subsystems. This paper provides an in-detail description of a state-of-the-...

Scalable Traffic Sampling Using Centrality Measure on Software-Defined Networks

Abstract: With regard to cyber security, pervasive traffic visibility is one of the most essential functionalities for complex network systems. A traditional network system has limited access to core and edge switches on the network; on the other hand, SDN technology can provide flexible and programmable network management operations. In this article, we consider the practical problem concerning how to achieve scalable traffic measurement using SDN functionalities. Less intrusive traffic monitoring can be achieved by using a packet sampling technique that probabilistically captures data packets at switches, and the sampled traffic is steered toward a traffic analyzer such as an IDS on SDN. We propose the use of a centrality measure in graph theory for deciding the traffic sampling points among the switches. In addition, we discuss how to decide the traffic sampling rates at the selected switches. The results of the simulation and SDN testbed experiments indicate that the proposed sampling point and rate decision methods enhance the intrusion detection performance of an IDS in terms of malicious traffic flows in large-scale networks.

Pains, gains and PLCs: ten lessons from building an industrial control systems testbed for security research

Abstract: Recent years have seen a number of cyber attacks targeting Industrial Control Systems (ICSs). Reports detailing the findings from such attacks vary in detail. Handson experimental research is, therefore, required to better understand and explore security challenges in ICSs. However, real-world production systems are often offlimits due to the potential impact such research could have on operational processes and, in turn, safety. On the other hand, software-based simulations cannot always reflect all the potential device/system states due to over-simplified assumptions when modelling the hardware in question. As a result, laboratory-based ICS testbeds have become a key tool for research on ICS security. Development of such a testbed is a costly, labour - and timeintensive activity that must balance a range of design considerations, e.g., diversity of hardware and software platforms against scalability and complexity. Yet there is little coverage in existing literature on such design considerations, their implications and how to avoid typical pitfalls. Each group of researchers embarks on this journey from scratch, learning through a painful process of trial and error. In this paper we address this gap by reflecting on over 3 years of experience of building an extensive ICS testbed with a range of devices (e.g., PLCs, HMIs, RTUs) and software. We discuss the architecture of our testbed and reflect on our experience of addressing issues of diversity, scalability and complexity and design choices to manage trade-offs amongst these properties.

Hardware-in-the-loop testbed for evaluating connected vehicle applications

Abstract: Connected vehicle environment provides the groundwork of future road transportation. Researches in this area are gaining a lot of attention to improve not only traffic mobility and safety, but also vehicles’ fuel consumption and emissions. Energy optimization methods that combine traffic information are proposed, but actual testing in the field proves to be rather challenging largely due to safety and technical issues. In light of this, a Hardware-in-the-Loop-System (HiLS) testbed to evaluate the performance of connected vehicle applications is proposed. A laboratory powertrain research platform, which consists of a real engine, an engine-loading device (hydrostatic dynamometer) and a virtual powertrain model to represent a vehicle, is connected remotely to a microscopic traffic simulator (VISSIM). Vehicle dynamics and road conditions of a target vehicle in the VISSIM simulation are transmitted to the powertrain research platform through the internet, where the power demand can then be calculated. The engine then operates through an engine optimization procedure to minimize fuel consumption, while the dynamometer tracks the desired engine load based on the target vehicle information. Test results show fast data transfer at every 200 ms and good tracking of the optimized engine operating points and the desired vehicle speed. Actual fuel and emissions measurements, which otherwise could not be calculated precisely by fuel and emission maps in simulations, are achieved by the testbed. In addition, VISSIM simulation can be implemented remotely while connected to the powertrain research platform through the internet, allowing easy access to the laboratory setup.

Access and metro network convergence for flexible end-to-end network design [invited]

Abstract: This paper reports on the architectural, protocol, physical layer, and integrated testbed demonstrations carried out by the DISCUS FP7 consortium in the area of access–metro network convergence Our architecture modeling results show the vast potential for cost and power savings that node consolidation can bring The architecture, however, also recognizes the limits of long-reach transmission for low-latency 5G services and proposes ways to address such shortcomings in future projects The testbed results, which have been conducted end-toend, across access–metro and core, and have targeted all the layers of the network from the application down to the physical layer, show the practical feasibility of the concepts proposed in the project