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Papers by Fernando Losilla

Currently, Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) is considered one of the most promising approaches for ... more Currently, Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) is considered one of the most promising approaches for software development. In this paper, a simple but complete example based on state-machines will be used to demonstrate the benefits of this approach. After defining a modelling language (meta-model) for statemachines, a graphical tool will be presented which is aimed at easing the description and validation of state-machine models. These models will then be used as inputs for another tool which will automatically generate the corresponding Ada code, including a simulation program to test the correctness and performance of the implemented application.

Teleoperated robots are used to perform hazardous tasks that human operators cannot carry out. Th... more Teleoperated robots are used to perform hazardous tasks that human operators cannot carry out. The purpose of this paper is to present a new architecture (ACROSET) for the development of these systems that takes into account the current advances in robotic architectures while adopting the component-oriented approach. ACROSET provides a common framework for developing this kind of robotized systems and for integrating intelligent components. The architecture is currently being used, tested and improved in the development of a family of robots, teleoperated cranes and vehicles which perform environmentally friendly cleaning of ship-hull surfaces (the EFTCoR project).

Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks (WSAN) constitute a growing research field in several engineer... more Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks (WSAN) constitute a growing research field in several engineering areas. One very interesting domain of WSAN application is precision agriculture, and in particular, the automatic control of tree irrigation depending on sap flow levels. Nowadays, the software development process followed in these kinds of applications is largely dependent on the platform where the final implementation is done. Consequently, commonly desired attributes such as flexibility, reuse and evolution are relegated to a second level of priority. Nevertheless, the growing interest in WSAN has been led to advances from different points of view: new application domains, new middleware, new simulation environments, and so on. In spite of all these advances, WSAN development is today needed of concrete mechanisms that make easy the software generation process. This paper summarizes our contribution in this field from two points of view: as an agronomic solution and as new opportunities for affording the construction of these systems taking into consideration the most recent advances in software engineering.1

Nowadays, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are a very promising research field since they find appl... more Nowadays, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are a very promising research field since they find application in many different areas. Current proposals for WSN system development are mainly focused on implementation issues and they rarely rely on a Software Engineering methodology which supports their entire development life-cycle. The Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) approach can contribute to solve this problem by allowing designers to model their systems at different abstraction levels, providing them with automatic model transformations to incrementally refine abstract models into more concrete ones. In this vein, this paper presents a MDE approach to WSN application development. Three levels of abstraction have been defined which allow designers to build: (1) domain-specific models, (2) component-based architecture descriptions, and (3) platform-specific models. Automatic model transformations between these three abstraction levels have been designed and, in order to demonstrate the viability of the proposal, a real WSN application has been developed using the implemented tools.

Multimedia Tools and Applications, 2011

Over the last few years, the research community has devoted great attention to video transmission... more Over the last few years, the research community has devoted great attention to video transmission on wireless sensor networks, and in particular to their recent evolution, the one based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard. This cost-efficient wireless technology is aimed at transmitting information at low rates and short distances. Extending the use of this technology for intensive bandwidth applications is a challenge that offers the opportunity to support value-added services. This paper deals with this issue and evaluates, by analysis and computer simulation as well as by developing a first prototype, the feasibility of transmitting MPEG-4 video information over an IEEE 802.15.4 network. The study of power-consumption is also considered and so are the Quality of Service parameters together with the human quality perception of the received video streaming. A detailed cross-layer solution is offered, and the results obtained are presented and discussed.

Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 2010

The present paper introduces a tool, which simplifies the description of Wireless Sensor Networks... more The present paper introduces a tool, which simplifies the description of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) applications by means of a visual language and automatic generation of executable code. The tool has been used to provide non-experienced students with a practical introduction to WSN concepts in a short period of time. Using the tool allowed students to quickly develop their own applications and test with them, focusing on their functional aspects rather than on programming and platform-dependent matters. This has yielded good results in the adaptation to the new European Higher Education Area (EHEA) envisaged by the Bologna Process, promoting an increased role of students in education as well as improving their motivation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 692–701, 2012

Measurement Science & Technology, 2010

IEEE 802.15.4 networking technology is designed to be the common standard for integrating WSN app... more IEEE 802.15.4 networking technology is designed to be the common standard for integrating WSN applications in heterogeneous environments. However, applications considering mobile nodes along with strict temporal requirements, such as those required for video transmission, are an unexplored field for this technology. These applications involve different challenges and issues that the direct employment of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard does not resolve. Therefore, in this paper a cross-layer mechanism consisting of application and medium access arbitration is presented, enabling the efficient connection and operation of mobile nodes together with the transmission of video flows. The proposed mechanism is evaluated via simulation and its feasibility checked by means of a first prototype. The study of power consumption is also taken into account and so are the quality of service parameters and the human quality perception of the received video stream. The results obtained are presented and further discussed.

Resumen. Las redes de sensores inalámbricas constituyen una tecnología de creciente interés para ... more Resumen. Las redes de sensores inalámbricas constituyen una tecnología de creciente interés para la adquisición de datos del entorno. El desarrollo de aplicaciones basadas en dicha tecnología sigue un proceso tradicional excesivamente dependiente de la infraestructura empleada para su implementación, limitando en consecuencia la reutilización de los recursos desarrollados para aplicaciones similares. Un enfoque de Líneas de Producto permite mejorar dicha reutilización, sin embargo adolece de falta de automatización. La combinación de este enfoque con la ingeniería dirigida por modelos permite la obtención de un método de desarrollo de aplicaciones en el dominio referido que combina reuso y automatización tal y como se muestra en este trabajo.

International Journal of Cooperative Information Systems, 2007

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are a very promising research field since they are applicable in m... more Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are a very promising research field since they are applicable in many different areas. Current proposals for WSN system development are mainly focused on implementation issues and rarely use a Software Engineering methodology to support their development life-cycle. The Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) approach can be used as a solution to this by allowing designers to model their systems at different abstraction levels, providing them with automatic model transformations to incrementally refine abstract models into more concrete ones. In this vein, this paper presents a MDE approach to WSN application development. Three levels of abstraction have been defined which allow designers to build: (1) domain-specific models, (2) component-based architecture descriptions, and (3) platform-specific models. Automatic model transformations between these three abstraction levels have been designed and, in order to demonstrate the viability of the proposal, a real WSN application has been developed using the implemented tools. Keywords: Model-driven engineering; component-based software architecture; domain specific languages; wireless sensor networks; Eclipse platform. * Corresponding author. 394 C. Vicente-Chicote et al.

Sensors, 2010

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are being deployed in very diverse application scenarios, includi... more Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are being deployed in very diverse application scenarios, including rural and forest environments. In these particular contexts, specimen protection and conservation is a challenge, especially in natural reserves, dangerous locations or hot spots of these reserves (i.e., roads, railways, and other civil infrastructures). This paper proposes and studies a WSN based system for generic target (animal) tracking in the surrounding area of wildlife passages built to establish safe ways for animals to cross transportation infrastructures. In addition, it allows target identification through the use of video sensors connected to strategically deployed nodes. This deployment is designed on the basis of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, but it increases the lifetime of the nodes through an appropriate scheduling. The system has been evaluated for the particular scenario of wildlife monitoring in passages across roads. For this purpose, different schemes have been simulated in order to find the most appropriate network

Currently, Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) is considered one of the most promising approaches for ... more Currently, Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) is considered one of the most promising approaches for software development. In this paper, a simple but complete example based on state-machines will be used to demonstrate the benefits of this approach. After defining a modelling language (meta-model) for statemachines, a graphical tool will be presented which is aimed at easing the description and validation of state-machine models. These models will then be used as inputs for another tool which will automatically generate the corresponding Ada code, including a simulation program to test the correctness and performance of the implemented application.

Teleoperated robots are used to perform hazardous tasks that human operators cannot carry out. Th... more Teleoperated robots are used to perform hazardous tasks that human operators cannot carry out. The purpose of this paper is to present a new architecture (ACROSET) for the development of these systems that takes into account the current advances in robotic architectures while adopting the component-oriented approach. ACROSET provides a common framework for developing this kind of robotized systems and for integrating intelligent components. The architecture is currently being used, tested and improved in the development of a family of robots, teleoperated cranes and vehicles which perform environmentally friendly cleaning of ship-hull surfaces (the EFTCoR project).

Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks (WSAN) constitute a growing research field in several engineer... more Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks (WSAN) constitute a growing research field in several engineering areas. One very interesting domain of WSAN application is precision agriculture, and in particular, the automatic control of tree irrigation depending on sap flow levels. Nowadays, the software development process followed in these kinds of applications is largely dependent on the platform where the final implementation is done. Consequently, commonly desired attributes such as flexibility, reuse and evolution are relegated to a second level of priority. Nevertheless, the growing interest in WSAN has been led to advances from different points of view: new application domains, new middleware, new simulation environments, and so on. In spite of all these advances, WSAN development is today needed of concrete mechanisms that make easy the software generation process. This paper summarizes our contribution in this field from two points of view: as an agronomic solution and as new opportunities for affording the construction of these systems taking into consideration the most recent advances in software engineering.1

Nowadays, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are a very promising research field since they find appl... more Nowadays, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are a very promising research field since they find application in many different areas. Current proposals for WSN system development are mainly focused on implementation issues and they rarely rely on a Software Engineering methodology which supports their entire development life-cycle. The Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) approach can contribute to solve this problem by allowing designers to model their systems at different abstraction levels, providing them with automatic model transformations to incrementally refine abstract models into more concrete ones. In this vein, this paper presents a MDE approach to WSN application development. Three levels of abstraction have been defined which allow designers to build: (1) domain-specific models, (2) component-based architecture descriptions, and (3) platform-specific models. Automatic model transformations between these three abstraction levels have been designed and, in order to demonstrate the viability of the proposal, a real WSN application has been developed using the implemented tools.

Multimedia Tools and Applications, 2011

Over the last few years, the research community has devoted great attention to video transmission... more Over the last few years, the research community has devoted great attention to video transmission on wireless sensor networks, and in particular to their recent evolution, the one based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard. This cost-efficient wireless technology is aimed at transmitting information at low rates and short distances. Extending the use of this technology for intensive bandwidth applications is a challenge that offers the opportunity to support value-added services. This paper deals with this issue and evaluates, by analysis and computer simulation as well as by developing a first prototype, the feasibility of transmitting MPEG-4 video information over an IEEE 802.15.4 network. The study of power-consumption is also considered and so are the Quality of Service parameters together with the human quality perception of the received video streaming. A detailed cross-layer solution is offered, and the results obtained are presented and discussed.

Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 2010

The present paper introduces a tool, which simplifies the description of Wireless Sensor Networks... more The present paper introduces a tool, which simplifies the description of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) applications by means of a visual language and automatic generation of executable code. The tool has been used to provide non-experienced students with a practical introduction to WSN concepts in a short period of time. Using the tool allowed students to quickly develop their own applications and test with them, focusing on their functional aspects rather than on programming and platform-dependent matters. This has yielded good results in the adaptation to the new European Higher Education Area (EHEA) envisaged by the Bologna Process, promoting an increased role of students in education as well as improving their motivation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 692–701, 2012

Measurement Science & Technology, 2010

IEEE 802.15.4 networking technology is designed to be the common standard for integrating WSN app... more IEEE 802.15.4 networking technology is designed to be the common standard for integrating WSN applications in heterogeneous environments. However, applications considering mobile nodes along with strict temporal requirements, such as those required for video transmission, are an unexplored field for this technology. These applications involve different challenges and issues that the direct employment of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard does not resolve. Therefore, in this paper a cross-layer mechanism consisting of application and medium access arbitration is presented, enabling the efficient connection and operation of mobile nodes together with the transmission of video flows. The proposed mechanism is evaluated via simulation and its feasibility checked by means of a first prototype. The study of power consumption is also taken into account and so are the quality of service parameters and the human quality perception of the received video stream. The results obtained are presented and further discussed.

Resumen. Las redes de sensores inalámbricas constituyen una tecnología de creciente interés para ... more Resumen. Las redes de sensores inalámbricas constituyen una tecnología de creciente interés para la adquisición de datos del entorno. El desarrollo de aplicaciones basadas en dicha tecnología sigue un proceso tradicional excesivamente dependiente de la infraestructura empleada para su implementación, limitando en consecuencia la reutilización de los recursos desarrollados para aplicaciones similares. Un enfoque de Líneas de Producto permite mejorar dicha reutilización, sin embargo adolece de falta de automatización. La combinación de este enfoque con la ingeniería dirigida por modelos permite la obtención de un método de desarrollo de aplicaciones en el dominio referido que combina reuso y automatización tal y como se muestra en este trabajo.

International Journal of Cooperative Information Systems, 2007

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are a very promising research field since they are applicable in m... more Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are a very promising research field since they are applicable in many different areas. Current proposals for WSN system development are mainly focused on implementation issues and rarely use a Software Engineering methodology to support their development life-cycle. The Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) approach can be used as a solution to this by allowing designers to model their systems at different abstraction levels, providing them with automatic model transformations to incrementally refine abstract models into more concrete ones. In this vein, this paper presents a MDE approach to WSN application development. Three levels of abstraction have been defined which allow designers to build: (1) domain-specific models, (2) component-based architecture descriptions, and (3) platform-specific models. Automatic model transformations between these three abstraction levels have been designed and, in order to demonstrate the viability of the proposal, a real WSN application has been developed using the implemented tools. Keywords: Model-driven engineering; component-based software architecture; domain specific languages; wireless sensor networks; Eclipse platform. * Corresponding author. 394 C. Vicente-Chicote et al.

Sensors, 2010

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are being deployed in very diverse application scenarios, includi... more Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are being deployed in very diverse application scenarios, including rural and forest environments. In these particular contexts, specimen protection and conservation is a challenge, especially in natural reserves, dangerous locations or hot spots of these reserves (i.e., roads, railways, and other civil infrastructures). This paper proposes and studies a WSN based system for generic target (animal) tracking in the surrounding area of wildlife passages built to establish safe ways for animals to cross transportation infrastructures. In addition, it allows target identification through the use of video sensors connected to strategically deployed nodes. This deployment is designed on the basis of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, but it increases the lifetime of the nodes through an appropriate scheduling. The system has been evaluated for the particular scenario of wildlife monitoring in passages across roads. For this purpose, different schemes have been simulated in order to find the most appropriate network