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PhD Thesis: Dynamic Management in Operating Systems to Improve Energy Efficiency of Resource-Constrained and Wireless Devices
Posted on by Roberto Rodríguez

On November 12th, our lab member Roberto Rodriguez Zurrunero defended his PhD Thesis entitled “Dynamic Management in Operating Systems to Improve Energy Efficiency of Resource-Constrained and Wireless Devices”. This work was carried out at B105 Electronic Systems Lab under the direction of Professor Alvaro Araujo.

The thesis defense took place at the ETSI Telecomunicación in Madrid, and the work was evaluated positively earning the highest possible grade, along with the “cum laude” and international mentions.The main contributions of this PhD thesis are the following:

  • A proof of concept was designed and implemented to introduce a game theory algorithm in the OS scheduler meant to extend devices’ batteries lifetime.
  • An OS for resource-constrained devices, YetiOS, was proposed, whose main novel contribution is an adaptive engine that enhances OS’s dynamic capabilities.
  • A study of the cross-influences between the processing and communication tasks in an OS for resource-constrained devices was developed.
  • The use of an OS is introduced for a specific medical application, deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices. Four methods were proposed to reduce the power consumption overhead when introducing an OS in such devices.
  • It was demonstrated that in most recent resource-constrained devices with enhanced low power modes (which are used by certain OSes’ power management modules), a lower clock frequency does not necessarily imply a lower power consumption (contrary to what was stated to date in the literature). Therefore, a novel adaptive frequency-scaling algorithm (based on a well-known machine learning algorithm) was proposed to dynamically change the clock frequency to the best value in terms of power consumption.

And, finally, this is the list of peer-reviewed journal and conference publications that were obtained during the course of this PhD:

International journal articles:

  •  R. Rodriguez-Zurrunero and A. Araujo, “Adaptive frequency scaling strategy to improve energy efficiency in a tick-less Operating System for resource-constrained embedded devices,” Future Generation Computer Systems, vol. 124, pp. 230-242, 2021.
  • R. Rodriguez-Zurrunero, A. Araujo, and M. M. Lowery, “Methods for Lowering the Power Consumption of OS-Based Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation Controllers,” Sensors, vol. 21, iss. 7, 2021.
  • R. Rodriguez-Zurrunero, R. Utrilla, A. Rozas, and A. Araujo, “Process Management in IoT Operating Systems: Cross-Influence between Processing and Communication Tasks in End-Devices,” Sensors, vol. 19, iss. 4, 2019.
  • R. Pita, R. Utrilla, R. Rodriguez-Zurrunero, and A. Araujo, “Experimental Evaluation of an RSSI-Based Localization Algorithm on IoT End-Devices,” Sensors, vol. 19, iss. 18, 2019.
  • R. Utrilla, R. Rodriguez-Zurrunero, J. Martin, A. Rozas, and A. Araujo, “MIGOU: A Low-Power Experimental Platform with Programmable Logic Resources and Software-Defined Radio Capabilities,” Sensors, vol. 19, iss. 22, 2019.
  • R. Rodriguez-Zurrunero, R. Utrilla, E. Romero, and A. Araujo, “An Adaptive Scheduler for Real-Time Operating Systems to Extend WSN Nodes Lifetime,” Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing, vol. 2018, 2018.
  • G. Mujica, R. Rodriguez-Zurrunero, M. Wilby, J. Portilla, A. B. R. González, A. Araujo, T. Riesgo, and J. J. V. Díaz, “Edge and Fog Computing Platform for Data Fusion of Complex Heterogeneous Sensors,” Sensors, vol. 18, iss. 11, 2018.

International conference proceedings:

  • R. Rodriguez-Zurrunero, F. Tirado-Andres, and A. Araujo, “YetiOS: an Adaptive Operating System for Wireless Sensor Networks,” in 2018 IEEE 43rd Conference on Local Computer Networks Workshops (LCN Workshops), 2018, pp. 16-22.

PhD Thesis: Cross-layer Strategies for Improving the Quality of Service of Wireless Sensor Networks
Posted on by albarc

A couple weeks ago, our lab member Alba Rozas Cid defended her PhD thesis entitled “Cross-layer Strategies for Improving the Quality of Service of Wireless Sensor Networks”. This PhD work was carried out at B105 Electronic Systems Lab under the direction of Professor Alvaro Araujo.

The thesis defense took place at the ETSI Telecomunicación in Madrid, and three members of the examination panel were physically present. However, due to travel restrictions, the other two members attended the act online from France and the USA, respectively. The work was evaluated positively earning the highest possible grade, along with the “cum laude” and international mentions. Learn and see how fire barriers’ role in preserving the environment here and how you can protect yourself in advance.

The following are some links where parts of this PhD research are explained or published:

Here are some pictures of the defense act:

And, finally, this is the list of peer-reviewed journal and conference publications that were obtained during the course of this PhD:

International journal articles:

  • A. Rozas, A. Araujo, and J. M. Rabaey, “Analyzing the Performance of WBAN Links during Physical Activity Using Real Multi-Band Sensor Nodes,” Applied Sciences, vol. 11, no. 7, p. 2920, Mar. 2021, doi: 10.3390/app11072920.
  • A. Rozas and A. Araujo, “An Application-Aware Clustering Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks to Provide QoS Management,” Journal of Sensors, vol. 2019, pp. 1–11, Sep. 2019, doi: 10.1155/2019/8569326.
  • R. Utrilla, R. Rodriguez-Zurrunero, J. Martin, A. Rozas, and A. Araujo, “MIGOU: A Low-Power Experimental Platform with Programmable Logic Resources and Software-Defined Radio Capabilities,” Sensors, vol. 19, no. 22, Nov. 2019, doi: 10.3390/s19224983.
  • F. Tirado-Andrés, A. Rozas, and A. Araujo, “A Methodology for Choosing Time Synchronization Strategies for Wireless IoT Networks,” Sensors, vol. 19, no. 16, Aug. 2019, doi: 10.3390/s19163476.
  • R. Rodriguez-Zurrunero, R. Utrilla, A. Rozas, and A. Araujo, “Process Management in IoT Operating Systems: Cross-Influence between Processing and Communication Tasks in End-Devices,” Sensors, vol. 19, no. 4, Feb. 2019, doi: 10.3390/s19040805.
  • E. Romero, J. Blesa, A. Rozas, and A. Araujo, “Energy Efficiency Strategy in D2D Cognitive Networks Using Channel Selection Based on Game Theory and Collaboration,” International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, vol. 12, no. 8, Aug. 2016, doi: 10.1177/155014772834652.
  • J. Martin, A. Rozas, and A. Araujo, “A WSN-Based Intrusion Alarm System to Improve Safety in Road Work Zones,” Journal of Sensors, vol. 2016, pp. 1–8, Jun. 2016, doi: 10.1155/2016/7048141.
  • A. Molina-Pico, D. Cuesta-Frau, A. Araujo, J. Alejandre, and A. Rozas, “Forest Monitoring and Wildland Early Fire Detection by a Hierarchical Wireless Sensor Network,” Journal of Sensors, vol. 2016, pp. 1–8, Feb. 2016, doi: 10.1155/2016/8325845.
  • J. Blesa, E. Romero, A. Rozas, and A. Araujo, “PUE attack detection in CWSNs using anomaly detection techniques,” EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking, vol. 2013, no. 1, p. 215, Aug. 2013, doi: 10.1186/1687-1499-2013-215.
  • J. Blesa, E. Romero, A. Rozas, A. Araujo, and O. Nieto-Taladriz, “PUE Attack Detection in CWSN Using Collaboration and Learning Behavior,” International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, vol. 9, no. 6, Jun. 2013, doi: 10.1155/2013/815959.

International conference proceedings:

  • A. Rozas, J. Blesa, E. Romero, and A. Araujo, “Controlling the degradation of Wireless Sensor Networks,” in 2015 International Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing Conference (IWCMC), Aug. 2015, pp. 1217–1223, doi: 10.1109/IWCMC.2015.7289256.
  • R. Utrilla, A. Rozas, J. Blesa, and A. Araujo, “A Hybrid Approach to Enhance Cognitive Wireless Sensor Networks with Energy-Efficient Software-Defined Radio Capabilities,” in 2017 International Conference on Embedded Wireless Systems and Networks (EWSN), Feb. 2017, pp. 294–299. [Online]. Available: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/3108009.3108086.

MDPI Wireless Sensor Networks Topic
Posted on by araujo

Our colleague Alvaro Araujo is editor of MDPI’s Wireless Sensor Networks topic, which has just opened.

This Topic aims to collect the results of research in these Wireless Sensor Network scenarios, as well as the results of similar research. The submission of papers concerning areas with a strong connection to engineering and industrial and manufacturing applications is strongly encouraged.

Deadline for abstract submissions: 31 December 2022.
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2023.

More information

Premio Fundación FEINDEF a la Innovación de Investigadores
Posted on by araujo

El pasado 4 de Noviembre se celebró la 2a edición del Defense and Security innovation Brokerage (DSiB) “Premios Fundación FEINDEF a la Innovación”. El objetivo último de este DSiB es fomentar la innovación en Defensa y Seguridad, con especial hincapié en las tecnologías de doble uso, a través de la puesta en contacto de la industria, usuarios finales, mundo académico y otros organismos de investigación, en un marco abierto al intercambio de ideas e información tecnológica, apoyando el conocimiento mutuo y la transferencia tecnológica de las OPIs al tejido industrial.

El B105 fue galardonado con el 1er Premio a la Innovación de Investigadores por el proyecto BlancOK: Target System based on laser with automatic recognition, realizado en colaboración con la empresa Teldat.

Esperemos que este premio sirva como impulso para la continuación del desarrollo de esta y otras tecnologías de doble uso.

Mesa redonda – “Formación de profesionales para el siglo XXI: Convergencia de los mundos académico, industrial y militar – Metodologías y herramientas”
Posted on by Octavio Nieto-Taladriz

El pasado 26 de octubre de 2021, y dentro de los encuentros Universidad-Empresa, se desarrolló una mesa redonda por videoconferencia, organizada por la Academia de las Ciencias y las Artes Militares con el título “Formación de profesionales para el siglo XXI: Convergencia de los mundos académico, industrial y militar. Metodologías y herramientas”.


Moderado por el Académico Manfredo Monforte, contó con la participación de los académicos correspondientes Dr. Octavio Nieto-Taladriz, catedrático de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid que actuó como organizador y moderador y Dr. Francisco Gómez Ramos, director del Centro Universitario de la Defensa de Zaragoza, así como del coronel D. Jesús Jiménez, del CESEDEN, el Dr. Emiliano Mata, de Centum y de D. Óscar Muñoz, experimentado profesor en diversas escuelas de negocios.

El encuentro trató de la formación de los profesionales del siglo XXI, partiendo de una juventud digital nativa y cuya disposición ante el aprendizaje ha cambiado sustancialmente por el impulso de la nueva era digital. Así, se abren paso nuevas técnicas basadas en los proyectos, el gaming y las metodologías ágiles. Por ello, la forma en que el alumno digital nativo aborda su proceso formativo difiere sustancialmente de la enseñanza tradicional basada en las sesiones magistrales y la transmisión unidireccional del conocimiento, lo que constituye un reto para el cuerpo docente y facilita la incorporación del talento a la nueva empresa centrada en el dato y la inmediatez de las actuaciones que en ella se desarrollan.


Los modelos de formación de profesionales en la educación superior se van centrando cada vez más en el alumno y la optimización del proceso de aprendizaje de forma individual, pasando de un modelo educativo de baja granularidad a uno de alta granularidad. Estos cambios acarrean un cambio en las metodologías y las herramientas de aprendizaje. En la mesa redonda se pasó revista a la problemática asociada en tres entornos con características diferentes, el ámbito militar en el que la institución es la que forma a sus profesionales, el industrial, en el que los alumnos pagan cantidades elevadas por su formación y el universitario.


En definitiva, se trata de adaptar los métodos al nuevo “cliente” y las necesidades emergentes de la industria por contar con profesionales cualificados, capaces de trabajar en equipo y con la flexibilidad necesaria para enfrentarse a la nueva era digital.

Puede ver el vídeo del acto en el canal de la ACAMI en YouTube, al que se puede suscribir: https://youtu.be/LR9cETqtXL8