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1 – 10 of 251
Article
Publication date: 14 August 2017

Jamiu Adetayo Adeniran, Rafiu O. Yusuf, Michael O. Amole, Lukuman Adekilekun Jimoda and Jacob Ademola Sonibare

The introduction of mobile telecommunication services in Nigeria led to the development of base transceiver stations (BTS) across the country. Inadequate power supply from the…

Abstract

Purpose

The introduction of mobile telecommunication services in Nigeria led to the development of base transceiver stations (BTS) across the country. Inadequate power supply from the national grid has led to massive use of diesel-fueled back-up generators (BUGs). The purpose of this paper is to attempt to quantify and inform relevant stakeholders about air quality implications of BTS BUGs.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven major telecommunication network operators were identified. Emission factor approach was used to estimate the quantity of important air pollutants such as NOx, CO, SO2, PM10, PM2.5, PAH and TVOC that are emitted from the use of the BUGs based on fuel consumption rate and generators’ capacity. Fuel-based emission inventory and emission factor from the United States Environmental Protection Agency AP-42 and National Pollution Inventory were used to estimate pollutants emission from diesel-powered generators used in the BTS sites and amount of diesel consumed. Land distribution and per capita dose of the estimated pollutants load were calculated.

Findings

The study showed that the deployment of BUGs will lead to increase emissions of these air pollutants. The states that are most affected are Lagos, Kano and Oyo, Katsina and Akwa Ibom states with respective total air pollutants contribution of 9,539.61, 9,445.34, 8,276.46, 7,805.14 and 7,220.70 tonnes/yr.

Originality/value

This study has estimated pollutant emissions from the use of diesel-fueled BUGs in mobile telecommunications BTS sites in Nigeria. The data obtained could assist in policy making.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 28 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Travel Survey Methods
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-08-044662-2

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2016

Mangey Ram and Kuldeep Nagiya

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate performance of mobile communication system with reliability measures.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate performance of mobile communication system with reliability measures.

Design/methodology/approach

The mobile communication system consists of a mobile station (MS), base transceiver station (BTS), base station controller (BSC) and the mobile switching center. The MS is connected to BTS, BTS is connected to BSC and BSC is connected with the mobile switching system. With the help of these stations working, the authors have developed a mathematical model using Markovian approach.

Findings

Using the supplementary variable technique, the Laplace transformations and Markov process theory, the reliability indices of the mobile communication system are determined.

Originality/value

In the present work, the authors have developed a mathematical model based on a mobile communication system.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 October 2018

Inmaculada Soldado Serrano, José García Doblado, Ignazio Federico Finazzi and María Ángeles Martín Prats

Until now, air navigation systems have mainly relied on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) on the worldwide spread global positioning system. However, the so-called…

Abstract

Purpose

Until now, air navigation systems have mainly relied on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) on the worldwide spread global positioning system. However, the so-called GNSS-denied environments open a new research line which pursues the development of alternative technologies which will cover this gap in positioning systems’ services.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the possibility of using positioning systems based on global system for mobile communications (GSM) signal. This approach developed in a standalone device will provide real-time information. The presented algorithm pursues a new methodology for providing useful information.

Findings

Among all the different technologies aimed at giving a navigation solution in the absence of any kind of GNSS in which this paper is based, it advocates for the use of the signals of opportunity, particularly the usage of GSM.

Practical implications

Technology is currently immersed in an era of continuous progress and expansion of navigation systems. These are evolving toward high performance systems, offering precise, efficient and safe air navigation. In addition, the growing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles increases the level of exigency on this activity even more. Therefore, in the context of the development of unmanned navigation technologies, the aim is to implement positioning systems that will allow high precision even in though environments.

Originality/value

Referencing the SIMless concept, a SIM-free system is described in this paper. The SIM-free system is supported by open data bases and permits the positioning based on the information sniffed from the signals broadcast by a set of several nearby base station of the GSM network. Hence, it provides same and in some cases even better accuracies than the already developed techniques, not being necessary to synchronize the link between the mobile terminal and the base station transceiver (BTS).

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 90 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 September 2014

Jose M. Chaves-Gonzalez and Miguel A. Vega-Rodríguez

The purpose of this paper is to study the use of a heterogeneous and evolutionary team approach based on different sources of knowledge to address a real-world problem within the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the use of a heterogeneous and evolutionary team approach based on different sources of knowledge to address a real-world problem within the telecommunication domain: the frequency assignment problem (FAP). Evolutionary algorithms have been proved as very suitable strategies when they are used to solve NP-hard optimization problems. However, these algorithms can find difficulties when they fall into local minima and the generation of high-quality solutions when tacking real-world instances of the problem is computationally very expensive. In this scenario, the use of a heterogeneous parallel team represents a very interesting approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The results have been validated by using two real-world telecommunication instances which contain real information about two GSM networks. Contrary to most of related publications, this paper is focussed on aspects which are relevant for real communication networks. Moreover, due to the stochastic nature of metaheuristics, the results are validated through a formal statistical analysis. This analysis is divided in two stages: first, a complete statistical study, and after that, a full comparative study against results previously published.

Findings

Comparative study shows that a heterogeneous evolutionary proposal obtains better results than proposals which are based on a unique source of knowledge. In fact, final results provided in the work surpass the results of other relevant studies previously published in the literature.

Originality/value

The paper provides a complete study of the contribution provided by the different metaheuristics included in the team and the impact of using different sources of evolutionary knowledge when the system is applied to solve a real-world FAP problem. The conclusions obtained in this study represent an original contribution never reached before for FAP.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 31 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 February 2012

Marisa da Silva Maximiano, Miguel A. Vega‐Rodríguez, Juan A. Gómez‐Pulido and Juan M. Sánchez‐Pérez

The purpose of this paper is to address a multiobjective FAP (frequency assignment problem) formulation. More precisely, two conflicting objectives – the interference cost and the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address a multiobjective FAP (frequency assignment problem) formulation. More precisely, two conflicting objectives – the interference cost and the separation cost – are considered to characterize FAP as an MO (multiobjective optimization) problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The contribution to this specific telecommunication problem in a real scenario follows a recent approach, for which the authors have already accomplished some preliminary results. In this paper, a much more complete analysis is performed, including two well‐known algorithms (such as the NSGA‐II and SPEA2), with new results, new comparisons and statistical studies. More concretely, in this paper five different algorithms are presented and compared. The popular multiobjective algorithms, NSGA‐II and SPEA2, are compared against the Differential Evolution with Pareto Tournaments (DEPT) algorithm, the Greedy Multiobjective Variable Neighborhood Search (GMO‐VNS) algorithm and its variant Greedy Multiobjective Skewed Variable Neighborhood Search (GMO‐SVNS). Furthermore, the authors also contribute with a new design of multiobjective metaheuristic named Multiobjective Artificial Bee Colony (MO‐ABC) that is included in the comparison; it represents a new metaheuristic that the authors have developed to address FAP. The results were analyzed using two complementary indicators: the hypervolume indicator and the coverage relation. Two large‐scale real‐world mobile networks were used to validate the performance comparison made among several multiobjective metaheuristics.

Findings

The final results show that the multiobjective proposal is very competitive, clearly surpassing the results obtained by the well‐known multiobjective algorithms (NSGA‐II and SPEA2).

Originality/value

The paper provides a comparison among several multiobjective metaheuristics to solve FAP as a real‐life telecommunication engineering problem. A new multiobjective metaheuristic is also presented. Preliminary results were enhanced with two well‐known multiobjective algorithms. To the authors' knowledge, they have never been investigated for FAP.

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2011

Ken McNaught and Andy Chan

The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness among manufacturing researchers and practitioners of the potential of Bayesian networks (BNs) to enhance decision making in those…

1518

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness among manufacturing researchers and practitioners of the potential of Bayesian networks (BNs) to enhance decision making in those parts of the manufacturing domain where uncertainty is a key characteristic. In doing so, the paper describes the development of an intelligent decision support system (DSS) to help operators in Motorola to diagnose and correct faults during the process of product system testing.

Design/methodology/approach

The intelligent (DSS) combines BNs and an intelligent user interface to produce multi‐media advice for operators.

Findings

Surveys show that the system is effective in considerably reducing fault correction times for most operators and most fault types and in helping inexperienced operators to approach the performance levels of experienced operators.

Originality/value

Such efficiency improvements are of obvious value in manufacturing. In this particular case, additional benefit was derived when the product testing facility was moved from the UK to China as the system was able to help the new operators to get close to the historical performance level of experienced operators.

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2008

Ian Anderson and Henk Muller

A cell phone that behaves in a manner reflective of the current context has been a goal for the pervasive and ubiquitous research communities for a long time. This paper aims to…

Abstract

Purpose

A cell phone that behaves in a manner reflective of the current context has been a goal for the pervasive and ubiquitous research communities for a long time. This paper aims to demonstrate how two aspects of context – location and activity – can be inferred using GSM data present on standard cell phones.

Design/methodology/approach

A background knowledge of GSM networks is provided, followed by an assessment of the stability of signal strength levels in order to establish their usefulness in inferring aspects of context. A qualitative location system using GSM signals is presented and how to infer the current activity of the cell phone carrier is demonstrated.

Findings

The paper shows that by using the patterns of signal strength fluctuations and changes to the current serving cell and monitored neighbouring cells it is possible to distinguish between various states of movement such as walking, driving a car and remaining stationary.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on the practical aspects of deploying and managing location based services in dynamic outdoor environments.

Details

International Journal of Pervasive Computing and Communications, vol. 4 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-7371

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 10 December 2016

Claudia Magallanes-Blanco and Leandro Rodriguez-Medina

The main goal of the paper is to explore the origins and developments of the first community cellular network in Mexico.

Abstract

Purpose

The main goal of the paper is to explore the origins and developments of the first community cellular network in Mexico.

Methodology/approach

Data were gathered in 2015 and 2016 through in-depth interviews, participant observation, workshops, photos, official documents, and informal interviews in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. Data was also drawn from the work of two activists, P. Bloom and E. Huerta, working with the community assemblies of a number of Indígena communities: Villa Talea de Castro, Santa María Yaviche, San Juan Yaee, San Ildefonso Villa Alta, San Bernardo Mixetepec, Santa Ana Tlahuitoltepec, San Jerónimo Progreso, Santiago Ayuquililla, San Miguel Huautla, Santa Inés de Zaragoza, Santo Domingo Xagacia, San Pablo Yaganiza, San Pedro Cajonos, San Francisco Cajonos, San Miguel Cajonos, San Mateo Cajonos, Santa María Alotepec, and San Juan Tabaá. To analyze the data, using codes created in Atlas.TI and relying on an inductive approach, we analyzed the history of this network within a theoretical framework informed by Actor-Network Theory.

Findings

Participants in the enactment of this cellular network followed two programs of actions, one technical and one legal. Together, the community assemblies and activists took advantage of available devices, free software and ordinary computers, on the one hand, and communal rules, national laws, constitutional reforms and tacit knowledge, on the other hand. They brought about a new, non-profit, communitarian, and self-organized network that allows for inexpensive communication between members of small, marginalized Indígena communities in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico.

Social implications

The arrangement of actants that the case illustrates is replicable in other parts of the country and outside of Mexico. The new community cellular network reduces the economic costs of communication, facilitates some jobs and family bonds, expands the range of community-owned projects, encourages self-organization and ways of situated conflict resolution, and empowers communities in relation to external powerful telecommunication corporations.

Originality/value

This is a novel account of a highly unusual set of community-led institutional innovations based on firsthand information drawn from the main actants of the new network.

Details

Communication and Information Technologies Annual
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-481-5

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 29 January 2013

Abstract

Details

Transport Survey Methods
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78-190288-2

1 – 10 of 251