Duncan Bremner - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Duncan Bremner
The concept of a reference model has been well known in the communications industry for many year... more The concept of a reference model has been well known in the communications industry for many years. This has provided clearly defined layers and interface standards which allow different organisations and across the industry to develop products independent of each other in the knowledge that their products will function correctly within the greater system. With the move towards massively parallel sensor systems networks, a similar approach needs to be adopted in order to permit concurrent developments in sensor networks. This paper summarises the need for such a reference model, and proposes a reference model applicable to sensor system.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has come to mean all things to all people. Combined with the huge am... more The Internet of Things (IoT) has come to mean all things to all people. Combined with the huge amount of interest and investment into this emerging opportunity, there is a real possibility that the arising confusion will hamper adoption by the mass market. The SILC team have used their extensive Sensor Systems market and technical knowledge in an attempt to clarify the situation for individuals interested in understanding IoT, and the underpinning role of Sensor Systems. This paper proposes a phased model of the IoT ecosystem, starting with infrastructure establishment, and culminating in exploitation through the creation of new companies and business models. It does not attempt to quantify the emerging opportunities, relying instead on the many publications dedicated to detailed market analysis. The focus is to place the opportunities in context, demonstrate the importance of sensor system technology underpinning the emerging IoT revolution, and suggests areas where the UK could es...
This work contributes to knowledge in the field of semiconductor system architectures, circuit de... more This work contributes to knowledge in the field of semiconductor system architectures, circuit design and implementation, and communications protocols. The work starts by describing the challenges of interfacing legacy analogue subscriber loops to an electronic circuit contained within the Central Office (Telephone Exchange) building. It then moves on to describe the globalisation of the telecom network, the demand for software programmable devices to enable system customisation cost effectively, and the creation of circuit and system blocks to realise this. The work culminates in the application challenges of developing a wireless RF front end, including antenna, for an Ultra Wideband communications systems applications. This thesis illustrates how higher levels of integration over the period of 1981 to 2010 have influenced the realisation of complex system level products, particularly analogue signal processing capabilities for communications applications. There have been many pub...
2019 UK/ China Emerging Technologies (UCET), 2019
An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) application requires vehicles to be connected to each ... more An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) application requires vehicles to be connected to each other and to roadside units to share information, thus reducing fatalities and improving traffic congestion. Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) is one of the main forms of network designed for ITS in which information is broadcasted amongst vehicular nodes. However, the broadcast reliability in VANETs face a number of challenges - dynamic routing being one of the major issues. Clustering, a technique used to group nodes based on certain criteria, has been suggested as a solution to this problem. This paper gives a summary of the core criteria of some of the clustering algorithms issues along with a performance comparison and a development evolution roadmap, in an attempt to understand and differentiate different aspects of the current research and suggest future research insights.
2020 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering (TALE), 2020
This paper focuses on policy development in a Higher Education context and provides a model for e... more This paper focuses on policy development in a Higher Education context and provides a model for ensuring sustainable educational practice in TNE partnerships under disruptive situations. The focal point of policy initiation and development was the Covid-19 virus outbreak in China and the ensuing impact on program delivery and assessment. The development takes a novel approach by applying a combination of commercial scenario planning and crisis management techniques to create a coherent and prescriptive educational policy for staff operating in a Transnational Education (TNE) partnership based on the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) faculty model. It demonstrates the application of these management tools and describes how, through careful analysis and planning, disruption to student learning, teaching and assessment can be minimized.
Research into applying Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) as a methodology for summative assessment... more Research into applying Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) as a methodology for summative assessment has generated polarized opinions regarding the testing of higher levels of learning. For large classes, automatically marked MCQs which provide immediate feedback is attractive to both students and teachers. This paper is a case study into the use of MCQs in formal examinations alongside conventional questions. The study examined results of 3rd-year engineering undergraduate students studying a compulsory course in Professional Practice in a transnational education context. The results indicate that well-written MCQs can test basic factual knowledge, provide a good indication of student performance, and assess surface and deep learning. Essay questions did not correlate well with overall student performance when English was a second language. MCQs provide valuable and rapid insight into students' ability when used with other assessment methods. The paper concludes with recommendatio...
This paper takes a retrospective view of the year 2020, with a focus on how Higher Education poli... more This paper takes a retrospective view of the year 2020, with a focus on how Higher Education policy development was undertaken on a Transnational Education (TNE) program between the University of Glasgow (UofG) and the University of Electronics, Science and Technology in Chengdu (UESTC), China in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores the approach to policy development under normal circumstances, contrasting this with the approach taken during the emergence of the epidemic and how the unfolding situation impacted on those policies. It demonstrates how the application of management tools for scenario planning and crisis management can be used effectively to develop a clear and prescriptive policy for staff. It also demonstrates how the use of such tools, combined with careful analysis and planning, can minimize disruption to student learning, teaching, and assessment. The paper then goes on to explain the creation and implementation of policies addressing three main areas: le...
The Internet of Things (IoT) has come to mean all things to all people. Combined with the huge am... more The Internet of Things (IoT) has come to mean all things to all people. Combined with the huge amount of interest and investment into this emerging opportunity, there is a real possibility that the arising confusion will hamper adoption by the mass market. This paper proposes a phased model of the IoT ecosystem development, starting with infrastructure establishment, and culminating in exploitation through the creation of new companies and business models. It does not attempt to quantify the emerging opportunities, relying instead on the many publications dedicated to detailed market analysis. The focus is to place the opportunities in context, demonstrate the importance of sensor system technology underpinning the emerging IoT revolution, and suggests areas where Europe can establish a leadership position. Throughout the paper, examples of the likely protagonists have been used by way of illustration.
The excitement and hype surrounding the emerging technology market known as the Internet of Thing... more The excitement and hype surrounding the emerging technology market known as the Internet of Things (IoT) has attracted a great deal of attention from industry, business leaders, and governments alike. According to Cisco estimates1, the IoT will create a $14 Trillion global opportunity, and Business Insider predict it will be the largest market for technology hardware ever 2. If these are correct, the impact on traditional business models through the adoption of new technology within industry, the service sector and governments will be transformational. At an individual and societal level, important areas such as health care and aging population will particularly benefit from IoT. The changes on tomorrow’s society can only be imagined but there is little doubt, whether individually, societally, economically, or industrially, these changes will be far reaching. However, the promise of future riches can fool the unwary into overlooking the jewels that already exist which are delivering...
Digital Communications and Networks
The Southeast Asian Conference on Education 2021: Official Conference Proceedings
Blended learning is the integration of classroom face-to-face (F2F) learning with online learning... more Blended learning is the integration of classroom face-to-face (F2F) learning with online learning experiences to engage students in a flexible learning framework. F2F lecturing is generally described as being more engaging. However, the incorporation of online resources gives students choice and flexibility in how they approach their studies, and can offer an additional tool to further enhance and re-enforce content delivered F2F. Concepts of emotional and cognitive engagement and self-determination theory have attracted attention as a possible way to describe and influence student engagement in blended learning. A recent survey at the University of Glasgow Singapore (UGS) found that students perceive the incorporation of online resources favourably, with recommendations for 40-60% of teaching experiences to be video-based/online. It is important that the online content, format and delivery are designed to maximise student engagement. However, there is no consensus on the best format and balance between online work vs traditional face to face (F2F) setting to achieve this outcome, and best practice guidelines are lacking. The objective of our study is to develop a series of pilot online resources across four engineering programmes and obtain student feedback through structured questionnaires, to identify what indicators and facilitators enhance engagement. In this paper, we present findings from the questionnaires on the learners' preferences and identify content and formats that are best received through online sources. In particular, our findings identify recorded video tutorials in combination with F2F lectures as a powerful tool to enhance student satisfaction and engagement.
2020 International Conference on UK-China Emerging Technologies (UCET)
Future Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can improve on-road safety and transportation eff... more Future Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can improve on-road safety and transportation efficiency and vehicular networks (VNs) are essential to enable ITS applications via information sharing. The development of 5G introduces new technologies providing improved support for connected vehicles through highly dynamic heterogeneous networks. Machine Learning (ML) can capture the high dynamics of VNs but the distributed data cause new challenges for ML hence requires distributed solutions. Federated learning (FL), a distributed ML framework, gives a distributed ML framework while ensuring information privacy protection and is an exciting area to explore in VNs. This article provides a detailed summary of recent FL applications in VNs and gives insights on current research challenges. The included research topics are resource management, performance optimization and applications based on VNs.
The concept of a reference model has been well known in the communications industry for many year... more The concept of a reference model has been well known in the communications industry for many years. This has provided clearly defined layers and interface standards which allow different organisations and across the industry to develop products independent of each other in the knowledge that their products will function correctly within the greater system. With the move towards massively parallel sensor systems networks, a similar approach needs to be adopted in order to permit concurrent developments in sensor networks. This paper summarises the need for such a reference model, and proposes a reference model applicable to sensor system.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has come to mean all things to all people. Combined with the huge am... more The Internet of Things (IoT) has come to mean all things to all people. Combined with the huge amount of interest and investment into this emerging opportunity, there is a real possibility that the arising confusion will hamper adoption by the mass market. The SILC team have used their extensive Sensor Systems market and technical knowledge in an attempt to clarify the situation for individuals interested in understanding IoT, and the underpinning role of Sensor Systems. This paper proposes a phased model of the IoT ecosystem, starting with infrastructure establishment, and culminating in exploitation through the creation of new companies and business models. It does not attempt to quantify the emerging opportunities, relying instead on the many publications dedicated to detailed market analysis. The focus is to place the opportunities in context, demonstrate the importance of sensor system technology underpinning the emerging IoT revolution, and suggests areas where the UK could es...
This work contributes to knowledge in the field of semiconductor system architectures, circuit de... more This work contributes to knowledge in the field of semiconductor system architectures, circuit design and implementation, and communications protocols. The work starts by describing the challenges of interfacing legacy analogue subscriber loops to an electronic circuit contained within the Central Office (Telephone Exchange) building. It then moves on to describe the globalisation of the telecom network, the demand for software programmable devices to enable system customisation cost effectively, and the creation of circuit and system blocks to realise this. The work culminates in the application challenges of developing a wireless RF front end, including antenna, for an Ultra Wideband communications systems applications. This thesis illustrates how higher levels of integration over the period of 1981 to 2010 have influenced the realisation of complex system level products, particularly analogue signal processing capabilities for communications applications. There have been many pub...
2019 UK/ China Emerging Technologies (UCET), 2019
An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) application requires vehicles to be connected to each ... more An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) application requires vehicles to be connected to each other and to roadside units to share information, thus reducing fatalities and improving traffic congestion. Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) is one of the main forms of network designed for ITS in which information is broadcasted amongst vehicular nodes. However, the broadcast reliability in VANETs face a number of challenges - dynamic routing being one of the major issues. Clustering, a technique used to group nodes based on certain criteria, has been suggested as a solution to this problem. This paper gives a summary of the core criteria of some of the clustering algorithms issues along with a performance comparison and a development evolution roadmap, in an attempt to understand and differentiate different aspects of the current research and suggest future research insights.
2020 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering (TALE), 2020
This paper focuses on policy development in a Higher Education context and provides a model for e... more This paper focuses on policy development in a Higher Education context and provides a model for ensuring sustainable educational practice in TNE partnerships under disruptive situations. The focal point of policy initiation and development was the Covid-19 virus outbreak in China and the ensuing impact on program delivery and assessment. The development takes a novel approach by applying a combination of commercial scenario planning and crisis management techniques to create a coherent and prescriptive educational policy for staff operating in a Transnational Education (TNE) partnership based on the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) faculty model. It demonstrates the application of these management tools and describes how, through careful analysis and planning, disruption to student learning, teaching and assessment can be minimized.
Research into applying Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) as a methodology for summative assessment... more Research into applying Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) as a methodology for summative assessment has generated polarized opinions regarding the testing of higher levels of learning. For large classes, automatically marked MCQs which provide immediate feedback is attractive to both students and teachers. This paper is a case study into the use of MCQs in formal examinations alongside conventional questions. The study examined results of 3rd-year engineering undergraduate students studying a compulsory course in Professional Practice in a transnational education context. The results indicate that well-written MCQs can test basic factual knowledge, provide a good indication of student performance, and assess surface and deep learning. Essay questions did not correlate well with overall student performance when English was a second language. MCQs provide valuable and rapid insight into students' ability when used with other assessment methods. The paper concludes with recommendatio...
This paper takes a retrospective view of the year 2020, with a focus on how Higher Education poli... more This paper takes a retrospective view of the year 2020, with a focus on how Higher Education policy development was undertaken on a Transnational Education (TNE) program between the University of Glasgow (UofG) and the University of Electronics, Science and Technology in Chengdu (UESTC), China in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores the approach to policy development under normal circumstances, contrasting this with the approach taken during the emergence of the epidemic and how the unfolding situation impacted on those policies. It demonstrates how the application of management tools for scenario planning and crisis management can be used effectively to develop a clear and prescriptive policy for staff. It also demonstrates how the use of such tools, combined with careful analysis and planning, can minimize disruption to student learning, teaching, and assessment. The paper then goes on to explain the creation and implementation of policies addressing three main areas: le...
The Internet of Things (IoT) has come to mean all things to all people. Combined with the huge am... more The Internet of Things (IoT) has come to mean all things to all people. Combined with the huge amount of interest and investment into this emerging opportunity, there is a real possibility that the arising confusion will hamper adoption by the mass market. This paper proposes a phased model of the IoT ecosystem development, starting with infrastructure establishment, and culminating in exploitation through the creation of new companies and business models. It does not attempt to quantify the emerging opportunities, relying instead on the many publications dedicated to detailed market analysis. The focus is to place the opportunities in context, demonstrate the importance of sensor system technology underpinning the emerging IoT revolution, and suggests areas where Europe can establish a leadership position. Throughout the paper, examples of the likely protagonists have been used by way of illustration.
The excitement and hype surrounding the emerging technology market known as the Internet of Thing... more The excitement and hype surrounding the emerging technology market known as the Internet of Things (IoT) has attracted a great deal of attention from industry, business leaders, and governments alike. According to Cisco estimates1, the IoT will create a $14 Trillion global opportunity, and Business Insider predict it will be the largest market for technology hardware ever 2. If these are correct, the impact on traditional business models through the adoption of new technology within industry, the service sector and governments will be transformational. At an individual and societal level, important areas such as health care and aging population will particularly benefit from IoT. The changes on tomorrow’s society can only be imagined but there is little doubt, whether individually, societally, economically, or industrially, these changes will be far reaching. However, the promise of future riches can fool the unwary into overlooking the jewels that already exist which are delivering...
Digital Communications and Networks
The Southeast Asian Conference on Education 2021: Official Conference Proceedings
Blended learning is the integration of classroom face-to-face (F2F) learning with online learning... more Blended learning is the integration of classroom face-to-face (F2F) learning with online learning experiences to engage students in a flexible learning framework. F2F lecturing is generally described as being more engaging. However, the incorporation of online resources gives students choice and flexibility in how they approach their studies, and can offer an additional tool to further enhance and re-enforce content delivered F2F. Concepts of emotional and cognitive engagement and self-determination theory have attracted attention as a possible way to describe and influence student engagement in blended learning. A recent survey at the University of Glasgow Singapore (UGS) found that students perceive the incorporation of online resources favourably, with recommendations for 40-60% of teaching experiences to be video-based/online. It is important that the online content, format and delivery are designed to maximise student engagement. However, there is no consensus on the best format and balance between online work vs traditional face to face (F2F) setting to achieve this outcome, and best practice guidelines are lacking. The objective of our study is to develop a series of pilot online resources across four engineering programmes and obtain student feedback through structured questionnaires, to identify what indicators and facilitators enhance engagement. In this paper, we present findings from the questionnaires on the learners' preferences and identify content and formats that are best received through online sources. In particular, our findings identify recorded video tutorials in combination with F2F lectures as a powerful tool to enhance student satisfaction and engagement.
2020 International Conference on UK-China Emerging Technologies (UCET)
Future Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can improve on-road safety and transportation eff... more Future Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can improve on-road safety and transportation efficiency and vehicular networks (VNs) are essential to enable ITS applications via information sharing. The development of 5G introduces new technologies providing improved support for connected vehicles through highly dynamic heterogeneous networks. Machine Learning (ML) can capture the high dynamics of VNs but the distributed data cause new challenges for ML hence requires distributed solutions. Federated learning (FL), a distributed ML framework, gives a distributed ML framework while ensuring information privacy protection and is an exciting area to explore in VNs. This article provides a detailed summary of recent FL applications in VNs and gives insights on current research challenges. The included research topics are resource management, performance optimization and applications based on VNs.