Browsing by Author "Mkhize, Cyprian B"

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    An analysis of CoAP as transport in an Internet of Things environment
    (IIMC International Information Management Corporation, 2018-05) Coetzee, Louis; Oosthuizen, D; Mkhize, Cyprian B
    Internet of Things (IoT) is a concept where the physical world is integrated into the digital world. In IoT, Internet connected devices are able to observe and act. Furthermore, data observations from these devices are linked with cloud based digital services to enable smart decision-making. IoT is seen as the underpinning for smart cities, with multiple services including intelligent traffic management, and effective resource management (e.g. energy or water). The benefits and potential of IoT are clear, resulting in significant uptake. However, numerous factors still hamper its growth. These factors include performance of networks and edge sensing devices, up to developing appropriate applications, all done in a secure and reliable manner. Data communication can typically occur over various networks and protocols, depending on the context of deployment and operation. This paper focuses on validating the Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) in a low power personal area network to determine if CoAP is an effective application protocol in an IoT environment. Experiments were conducted in the context of the TRESCIMO testbed through which CoAP enabled devices and gateways communicate to IoT platforms. The experiments focused on measuring the efficiency of communication in an environment with poor connectivity. Experimental results show that CoAP is an efficient transport in low signal strength environments.
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    A micro grid information architecture with open source components
    (2021-12) Smith, Andrew C; Mkhize, Cyprian B; Mahlobo, Boitumelo T; Isaac, Sherrin J
    Presented is an information system architecture based on open source platforms to support the successful management of a micro grid. The paper justifies the use of open source platforms in the micro grid context. Also given are the benefits of a micro grid as it relates to distributed energy generation and subsequently the need explained for an information system that keeps a record of all devices and their interconnections, while simultaneously providing access to instantaneous data along various points in the micro grid. Three examples of services made possible by the architecture are given.
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    Towards programmable and scalable IoT infrastructures for smart cities
    (IEEE Xplore, 2016-03) Corici, A; Steinke, R; Magedanz, T; Coetzee, L; Oosthuizen, D; Mkhize, Cyprian B; Catalan, M; Fontelles, JC; Paradells, J; Shrestha, R; Nehl, D; Riemer, B
    Smart Cities applications and infrastructures are actively being developed and rolled out. However, maintenance complexity is significant, often limiting deployments to small regions or small cities. To support gradual or spontaneous infrastructure scaling at region or national levels, infrastructure management that monitors end device connectivity and ensures overall IoT communication reliability becomes key. This article describes a method using intercontinental research facilities that programmatically manages smart devices and their communication with the ultimate aim to elastically deploy IoT servers in the cloud. Implementation details and experimental results of real devices are included.