Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a key role in real-time monitoring at different stages of the power generation system, assisting to achieve better efficiency, minimize load on the grids by analysing usage patterns, provide faster resolutions to power outages, and so on. In this paper, we present a novel energy monitoring approach employing LoRaWAN-enabled smart energy meters and a oneM2M-based platform for collecting and analysing the data. The energy meters transmit data at 15-minutes intervals, i.e., 96 data points per day. A novel format has been developed for the LoRaWAN Protocol Data Unit (PDU) to transmit the values of phase currents and voltages, and data related to power and energy comsumption. This results in a high-resolution dataset containing more than 10,000 instances per meter, accumulated over the last four months. The data can be visualised in a live dashboard enabling the signal parameters such as Received Signal Strength Index (RSSI) and Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) to be monitored in addition to the electrical parameters, to ensure proper data transmission. Finally, the trends in power and energy consumption of the load have been analysed, which can result in improved efficiency of building management, and early detection of electrical faults and failures

Abstract

A smart city is a collection of a variety of smart devices representing several disparate infrastructural verticals. The data gathered by these smart devices helps bring a strong integration of human, collective, and artificial intelligence within the city operation. With the advent and proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs), the EV charge point is a relatively new addition to this plethora of smart devices. We believe that the EV charge point can acquire enhanced functionality if it can be seamlessly integrated with the rest of the smart city infrastructure. For example, charging services can be stopped if smart grid or smart fire alarms sense an electrical overload or fire hazard in the vicinity. However, the interaction of an EV charge point with the smart city infrastructure requires seamless information exchange across various verticals. This horizontal flow of information is enabled by making the charge point complaint with the oneM2M platform. To this end, we present the design and fabrication of an EV charge point based on the OCPP communication standard and complaint with the oneM2M platform. Further, we discuss various use cases showing an increased functional capability of the EV charger due to access to data from other IoT devices.

Abstract

For decades, the revolution in design and fabrication methodology of flexible capacitive pressure sensors using various inorganic/organic materials has significantly enhanced the field of flexible and wearable electronics with a wide range of applications in aerospace, automobiles, marine environment, robotics, healthcare, and consumer/portable electronics. Mathematical modelling, finite element simulations, and unique fabrication strategies are utilized to fabricate diverse shapes of diaphragms, shells, and cantilevers which function in normal, touch, or double touch modes, operation principles inspired from microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based capacitive pressure sensing techniques. The capacitive pressure sensing technique detects changes in capacitance due to the deformation/deflection of a pressure sensitive mechanical element that alters the separation gap of the capacitor. Due to advancement in state-of-the-art fabrication technologies, the performance and properties of capacitive pressure sensors are enhanced. In this review paper, recent progress in flexible capacitive pressure sensing techniques in terms of design, materials, and fabrication strategies is reported. The mechanics and fabrication steps of paper-based low-cost MEMS/flexible devices are also broadly reported. Lastly, the applications of flexible capacitive pressure sensors, challenges, and future perspectives are discussed.

Abstract

Accelerometers are among the most mature sensor technologies with a broad range of applications in multiple fields and industries. They represent the most widely used microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices with excellent and reliable performance. MEMS acceleration sensors established dominance mainly in navigation and control applications. In recent years, however, recent technologies and materials have emerged that introduce novel sensing mechanisms, improve performance, enable customization, reduce cost, and reduce fabrication complexity. Herein, the recent advances in accelerometers based on MEMS and recent emerging technologies are reviewed. This work provides a comprehensive review of accelerometers’ sensing mechanisms and the main characteristics and features of each type of sensor, material, and fabrication strategies used to fabricate them. From the aspect of sensor application, this work focuses on reviewing applications that demonstrate the use of accelerometers manufactured using unconventional technologies and materials in prevailing fields such as healthcare monitoring, automotive industry, navigation, building, and structural monitoring. Moreover, challenges and future efforts needed to be addressed in this field are summarized

Abstract

An Electric Vehicle (EV) charger, also called Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) is an infrastructure element that supplies electrical energy for recharging EVs. The paper focuses on the design and fabrication of two-wheeler (escooter) electric vehicle charging equipment. Considering the future scenario of mass privatization of EV two-wheelers on Indian roads, the outline discusses the product design based on fabricability, affordability, and ability to mass manufacture. The proposed architecture follows the Level 2 charging standards (240 Volts), and is based on the open charge point protocol (OCPP). The suggested EVCS is constructed considering the safety prerequisites of system administrators, installers, consumers, government agencies and others. The design of EVCS links to three industries: equipment manufacturers, software industry and electric power networks. This paper presents design considerations by elaborating the hardware, software, and protocols followed to design the Level 2 charging standard EVCS.

Abstract

A smart city is a collection of a variety of smart devices representing several disparate infrastructural verticals. The data gathered by these smart devices helps bring a strong integration of human, collective, and artificial intelligence within the city operation. With the advent and proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs), the EV charge point is a relatively new addition to this plethora of smart devices. We believe that the EV charge point can acquire enhanced functionality if it can be seamlessly integrated with the rest of the smart city infrastructure. For example, charging services can be stopped if smart grid or smart fire alarms sense an electrical overload or fire hazard in the vicinity. However, the interaction of an EV charge point with the smart city infrastructure requires seamless information exchange across various verticals. This horizontal flow of information is enabled by making the charge point complaint with the oneM2M platform. To this end, we present the design and fabrication of an EV charge point based on the OCPP communication standard and complaint with the oneM2M platform. Further, we discuss various use cases showing an increased functional capability of the EV charger due to access to data from other IoT devices.

Abstract

The advent of Internet of Things has resulted in new communication protocols such as LoRaWAN and Narrowband IoT slowly rising to be viable and even better alternatives to traditional protocols such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. LoRa in particular, has attracted a lot of attention owing to low power consumption of end nodes, low cost and use of license-free sub-GHz bands. Further, high link budgets in LoRaWAN communication allow for fewer gateways to provide network coverage over a large area. However, the success of deployment of LoRaWAN gateways in real world applications depends on meticulous planning. A major drawback in this scenario is the lack of extensive data on loss of signal strength, particularly in cityscapes, where buildings and trees can create significant path loss. In this paper, we investigate the path loss for LoRaWAN signals inside a typical city building (brick walls, reinforced cement concrete ceiling, wooden doors). The RSSI values of transmissions from multiple locations to a stationary gateway have been analysed to find the effect of indoor obstacles such as walls and doors on the propagation of LoRaWAN signals. We report that significant loss of energy can occur, even at relatively close range, because of the structures.

Abstract

Current air pollution monitoring systems are bulky and expensive resulting in a very sparse deployment. In addition, the data from these monitoring stations may not be easily accessible. This paper focuses on studying the dense deployment based air pollution monitoring using IoT enabled low-cost sensor nodes. For this, total nine low-cost IoT nodes monitoring particulate matter (PM), which is one of the most dominant pollutants, are deployed in a small educational campus in Indian city of Hyderabad. Out of these, eight IoT nodes were developed at IIIT-H while one was bought off the shelf. A web based dashboard website is developed to easily monitor the real-time PM values. The data is collected from these nodes for more than five months. Different analyses such as correlation and spatial interpolation are done on the data to understand efficacy of dense deployment in better understanding the spatial variability and time-dependent changes to the local pollution indicators.

Abstract

We present detailed shape-based analyses to compare the performance of metal foil-based capacitive pressure sensors based on the shape of the diaphragm (top electrode). We perform a detailed analysis on the use of new material and deflection in various shaped diaphragms to act as a performance indicator for pressure-based capacitive sensors. A low-cost, recyclable, and readily available material is used to present an alternative to the expensive materials used in conventional pressure sensors. Diaphragms of five different shapes (circle, ellipse, pentagon, square, and rectangle) are fabricated and analyzed. Mathematical, FEM, and experimental tests are performed for capacitive sensors fabricated in five different shapes. The mathematically calculated deflection for each shaped diaphragm is compared with the results of the corresponding FEM simulations. Two different experiments are performed to verify …

Abstract

A sensor system includes at least one sensor configured to detect at least one environmental parameter, a processor coupled to the at least one sensor, and a dissolvable polymer encasing the sensor system.