Congestion control in wireless sensor and 6LoWPAN networks: toward the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the next big challenge for the research community where the IPv6 over low power wireless personal area network (6LoWPAN) protocol stack is a key part of the IoT. Recently, the IETF ROLL and 6LoWPAN working groups have developed new IP based protocols for 6LoWPAN networks to alleviate the challenges of connecting low memory, limited processing capability, and constrained power supply sensor nodes to the Internet. In 6LoWPAN networks, heavy network traffic causes congestion which significantly degrades network performance and impacts on quality of service aspects such as throughput, latency, energy consumption, reliability, and packet delivery. In this paper, we overview the protocol stack of 6LoWPAN networks and summarize a set of its protocols and standards. Also, we review and compare a number of popular congestion control mechanisms in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and classify them into traffic control, resource control, and hybrid algorithms based on the congestion control strategy used. We present a comparative review of all existing congestion control approaches in 6LoWPAN networks. This paper highlights and discusses the differences between congestion control mechanisms for WSNs and 6LoWPAN networks as well as explaining the suitability and validity of WSN congestion control schemes for 6LoWPAN networks. Finally, this paper gives some potential directions for designing a novel congestion control protocol, which supports the IoT application requirements, in future work.

     

Seasonal design and multi-objective optimization of a novel biogas-fueled cogeneration application

Switching from fossil fuels to biofuels is an effective option for small-scale power production and cogeneration systems. The target of the current study is to propose and investigate a novel seasonal combined cycle driven by a biogas-fueled gas turbine from thermodynamic and economic viewpoints. Regarding the high-temperature of the turbine's exhaust gases, an integration of Rankine and ejector refrigeration cycles is configured. The bottoming cycle is designated for winter and summer conditions, independently. Hence, a combined cycle capable of operating as a cogeneration system producing electricity/heating or electricity/cooling, individually, is designed. Moreover, a parametric study based on assessing the impact of key parameters on the essential variables and a multi-criteria optimization trough a genetic algorithm are performed to attain the facilities of the proposal. According to the results, the capability of the whole system in winter conditions is significantly higher than that for summer conditions due to the higher heating capacity. Also, the evaluated variables are more affected by change in the environment temperature in both seasons. Additionally, the optimal overall energy, exergy and levilized cost of products are calculated as 79.2%%, 45.6%, and 21.7 $/GJ for summer and 70.7%, 37.0%, and 17.6 $/GJ for winter, respectively.     

Exploring the Design and Spectroscopic Characteristics of PVA/Si3N4/SiBr4 New Structures for Electronics and Optics Devices

Silicon - This work aims to design of silicon nitride (Si3N4) and silicon bromide (SiBr4) doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as promising semiconductors materials which can be used in various...     

Numerical modeling of time-dependent deformation and induced stresses in concrete pipes constructed in Queenston shale using micro-tunneling technique

Effects of time-dependent deformation (TDD) on a tunnel constructed using the micro-tunneling technique in Queenston shale (QS) are investigated employing the finite element method. The TDD and strength parameters of the QS were measured from tests conducted on QS specimens soaked in water and lubricant fluids (LFs) used in micro-tunneling such as bentonite and polymer solutions. The numerical model was verified using the results of TDD tests performed on QS samples, field measurements of some documented projects, and the closed-form solutions to circular tunnels in swelling rock. The verified model was then employed to conduct a parametric study considering important micro-tunneling design parameters, such as depth and diameter of the tunnel, in situ stress ratio (K_o), and the time lapse prior to replacing LFs with permanent cement grout around the tunnel. It was revealed that the time lapse plays a vital role in controlling deformations and associated stresses developed in the tunnel lining. The critical case of a pipe or tunnel in which the maximum tensile stress develops at its springline occurs when it is constructed at shallow depths in the QS layer. The results of the parametric study were used to suggest recommendations for the construction of tunnels in QS employing micro-tunneling.     

Anycast tree-based routing in mobile wireless sensor networks with multiple sinks

A routing scheme for wireless sensor networks with mobile sensors and mobile multiple sinks is proposed and studied. The scheme is based on expanding ring search, anycast messaging and reactive mode with maintaining route state information in sensors. As a result of a successful routing request issued by the sensor, it becomes a member of a routing tree with some sink as a root. Anycast messaging is used only at the stage of establishing a path from a sensor to a sink. Replies from sinks are always forwarded in unicast mode. This considerably reduces network traffic and, as a result, energy consumption by sensors. To take into account routing conditions for network nodes in receiving messages from different directions, the receiving area of each node is assumed to consist of a number of sectors, considered as independent links with random change of link states in time. The proposed routing scheme was investigated with the use of a detailed simulation model, implemented in terms of a class of extended Petri nets. In simulation the following performance metrics were investigated versus time-to-live value: response ratio, relative network traffic and relative energy consumption. These metrics were considered for a number of combinations of parameters, such as the number of sinks, sensor availability and link availability. The results of simulation were compared with published characteristics of a similar model, in which sensors do not maintain any routing state information, and is proved to outperform it.