Category Archives: Projects

Projects

(2024 – 2029) ICoNIoT – Intelligent Communication Networks and Internet of Things

ICoNIoT

The consolidation of the Internet as a global and pervasive communication network has fostered the emergence of a connected global society, generating a massive amount of data. The Internet is, in fact, an interconnection of heterogeneous networks, flexible enough to allow the deployment of new applications. On the other hand, the dissemination of sensors in a wide range of everyday devices enables the construction of intelligent systems, such as smart cities, which have the potential to promote greater social well-being as well as foster the economy.

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a fundamental area for solving complex problems has led to its adoption in various systems, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and communication networks. The processing of raw data generated by sensors has the potential to generate information, knowledge, and added value. The multiplicity and diversity of information in the operation of communication networks demand solutions that can only be derived from the use of AI.

Continue reading (2024 – 2029) ICoNIoT – Intelligent Communication Networks and Internet of Things →
Projects

(2024 – 2029) IDRIC – Distributed intelligence in communications networks and in the internet of things

Currently, the execution of machine learning algorithms is typically batch, offline and centralized. Network management and its services require massive execution of distributed and real-time data. In many situations, the real-time validity of the generated data is limited, requiring the reduction of latency in communication and processing. Furthermore, data transmission in a distributed environment is subject to the quality of communication channels, network congestion and available energy in mobile devices. Such restrictions require solutions based on Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI), which goes far beyond the traditional execution of machine learning algorithms. An additional strong restriction arises from the adoption of the new General Data Protection Law – LGPD. The data privacy restriction is addressed by the federated learning technique. The large number of devices connected to the Internet of Things requires the handling of a high volume of data generated by thousands of sensors, requiring solutions that meet scalability, geographic distribution, mobility, heterogeneity, security and privacy requirements.

Continue reading (2024 – 2029) IDRIC – Distributed intelligence in communications networks and in the internet of things →
Projects

(2023-2025) Programmable Low-End Networks: Powering Internet Connectivity for the Other Three Billion

The project focuses on the following exploratory research question: Is it possible to incorporate the concept of data plane programmability in low-end networks? The potential implications of a positive response are manifold, enabling the use of low-end transceivers in innovative use cases beyond the Internet of Things (IoT). In particular, it would be possible to use such devices to expand the last mile and provide Internet access in remote communities, thus contributing to narrowing the digital divide. Considering the given exploratory research question, the present project proposal aims to conceive a conceptual architecture of low-end ”programmable” devices — via domain-specific languages popular within programmable data planes, such as P4 and NPL — and ”manageable” — from a Software Defined Networking (SDN) control plane. To this end, we propose to advance in four research directions: 1) conceive a conceptual architecture of programmable low end transceivers using domain specific languages such as P4 and NPL, 2) incorporate mechanisms to maximize data goodput, including packet compression and forward error correction, monitoring of transmission conditions for dynamic adjustment of transceiver operating parameters, 3) extension of domain-specific languages such as P4 and NPL for programming embedded programmable devices, and 4) project, development and evaluation of low-end, low-cost programmable device prototypes for long-distance data communication.

Projects

(2021 – 2025) S2C2 – Command and Control System of Systems

In the field of Defense, the growing complexity of operational environments has shown that synergy between the Armed Forces is essential. In emergency and internal crisis situations, collaboration extends to public security and civil defense institutions. In this context, interoperability between command and control systems of different entities is crucial for mission success. Focusing specifically on the ground force, interoperability between their own systems is already a big challenge. Aware of the need to address this challenge, this project tackles the development of a Command and Control System of Systems (S2C2) to meet the interoperability demands of the ground force Command and Control Application Family (FAC2FTer). To this end, the project proposes a study focused on the interoperability of open, distributed, and dynamic systems for use in the command and control environment in the defense domain. In this context, aspects of the modeling, formal verification of properties, network simulation with artificial intelligence support to develop a system of systems of command and control for the Brazilian Army.

Projects

(2021 – 2026) PORVIR-5G – Programmability, ORchestration and VIRtualization of 5G Networks

The expected massive growth of mobile Internet traffic in 5G mobile networks introduces the need to change the operators’ networks. Such networks require a drastic transformation towards open, scalable and elastic ecosystems supporting new types of communication. The PORVIR-5G project will develop and demonstrate a programmable fronthaul and backhaul integrating wireless with optical-packet networks and cloud solutions. It is intended to exploit virtual network splits that optimise resource allocation across the wireless, optical, packet, and compute/storage domains. Key enablers for PORVIR-5G are (i) Slicing over packet, wireless, and optical resources, controlled by (ii) deep programmability interfaces, where the devices are configured by network functions to provide the required performance for the future applications on the Internet. This programmability allows a more refined (iii) end-to-end and multilayer orchestration, considering the quality of experience of the users for each type of applications over the network. This project will validate and demonstrate the proposed programmability and virtualization capabilities in three demonstrations, each one of them enabling the key performance demands of 5G networks: an Internet of Things demonstrator focusing on massive machine-type communication; a smart city demonstration for reliable and ultra-low latency flows; and a high bandwidth video demonstrator showcasing the next-generation mobile broadband.

Projects

(2021 – 2026) SFI2 – Slicing Future Internet Infrastructures

The technological evolution centered on the concepts of Software Defined Networks (SDN), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), Cloud Computing, Internet of Things (IoT) and, more recently, on the fifth generation of mobile telecommunications networks, known as 5G, has caused great impact on the Internet. This impact comes not only from the creation of new technologies, communication protocols, security solutions, energy efficiency mechanisms and others, but also from the need to jointly operate this plethora of innovations with each other and with the legacy of the Internet. As a result, several experimentation environments with different scopes have emerged in Brazil, targeting at the research of different subsets of technologies, among them: FIBRE, experimentation of alternative architectures to the current Internet; FUTEBOL, experimentation in telecommunications networks involving optical and wireless communications; CloudNEXT, experimentation on cloud computing and bare-metal provisioning; FIWARE, future Internet-Based applications based on Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Cloud Computing; 5GINFIRE, experimentation in 5G networks, based on NFV and cloud usage; and finally NECOS, focused on the creation of slices that encompass different clouds with distributed resources. In this scenario, the main objective of this project is to provide a solution for the provision of advanced network scenarios and allocation of computational resources by slicing these multi-domain experimentation infrastructures, in the simplified creation of complex networks with minimum configuration effort based on the intelligent orchestration of this multi-domain slicing, offering Slice-as-a Service (SlaaS) for future Internet developers.

Projects

(2020 – 2025) PETWIN – Whole-field Digital Twin for production optimization and management

PeTWIN Logo

PeTWIN will define a research-based vision and best practices for implementing sustainable, usable and maintainable digital twins for field management. The work addresses the substantial IT challenges posed by digital twins through the application and development of knowledge representation techniques and data analytics. The focus of the project is to build the knowledge and competence needed to build the next generation of digital twins for field digitalization.

Projects

(2016-2019) FUTEBOL: Federated Union of Telecommunications Research Facilities for an EU-Brazil Open Laboratory

FUTEBOL LogoThe overall objective of the FUTEBOL project is to develop and deploy research infrastructure, and an associated control framework for experimentation, in Europe and Brazil, that enables experimental research at the convergence point between optical and wireless networks. Continue reading (2016-2019) FUTEBOL: Federated Union of Telecommunications Research Facilities for an EU-Brazil Open Laboratory →

Projects

(2015-2016) MEICAN – Management Environment of Inter-domain Circuits for Advanced Networks

MEICAN is a software platform that allows network end-users to request, in a more user-friendly way, dedicated circuits in Dynamic Circuit Networks. MEICAN also enables network operators to evaluate and accept end-users circuit requests in environments with multiple domains using either automated or manual authorization workflows. A sample interface of MEICAN can be seen at http://meican-cipo.inf.ufrgs.br/playground/ (username and password will be required). Continue reading (2015-2016) MEICAN – Management Environment of Inter-domain Circuits for Advanced Networks →

Projects

(2014-2016) ProSeG – Information Security, Protection and Resilience in Smart Grids

ProSeG – Information Security, Protection and Resilience in Smart Grids is a research project funded by MCTI/CNPq/CT-ENERG # 33/2013. The project started in march 2014 and is targeted at investigating and developing mechanisms and services that can be integrated into a future Smart Grid for addressing stringent security and resilience requirements. Continue reading (2014-2016) ProSeG – Information Security, Protection and Resilience in Smart Grids →