Communications, collaborations and services in networks of embedded devices

Abstract

The core of many IoT systems is based on a network of electronic devices and connected sensors. In this special issue many researchers have proposed solutions to improve different aspects of communication and collaboration among connected devices. Some proposals improve physical aspects of the communication network, especially wireless networks. Other proposals are focused on improving the communication and allocation algorithms used by the IoT networks. There are also some critical services that could affect communications processes and can be optimized for different scenarios, like DNS. Related to services of connected devices, some researchers have proposed notable improvements to design new kind services. The interoperability among heterogeneous devices is one of the classic problems for many IoT systems, some authors have proposed frameworks which try to simplify the communication processes among heterogeneous devices. Including new kind of devices in IoT systems is nowadays an important challenge, which could extend the applicability of IoT in many new Industrial environments, some new ideas about this topic are proposed in this special issue. Finally, there is an important research line related to privacy and security in communications, there are some specific security and privacy problems when IoT networks related to sensitive sensor data and connected devices security.

Introduction

Thousands of researchers around the world are currently working in systems based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The core of many IoT systems is based on a network of physical devices, we can refer to these devices in different ways: embedded devices, smart things, connected sensors, etc. Based on the communication and collaboration among embedded devices these IoT networks are able to automatize or improve a lot of tasks and processes. These systems are commonly applied in a lot of different areas like smart cities, health systems, smart homes, etc.

The interconnection and collaboration processes of embedded devices are complex issues, which can vary greatly in every system or environment. For example, it can depend on the physical environment issues, services provided,  specific system requirements (like efficiency, privacy, etc.), amount of devices in the network, devices heterogeneity, network properties, communication technologies, etc. Due to these particularities and different situations, the use of networks of embedded devices presents many different challenges and issues which can be improved: efficiency in communication and collaboration, security and privacy issues, quality of service, network dynamic adaptations, network protocols and architectures, specific middlewares, frameworks and distributed applications for coordinating connected devices, etc.