This document summarizes Rune Torbensen's PhD project on using machine-to-machine (M2M) communication for intelligent energy usage. The project involves developing an open home automation platform using IP for interoperability between different wireless networks. It also proposes a service description language to enable cooperation between unfamiliar devices and a secure communication protocol for resource-constrained embedded systems. Potential M2M project ideas are analyzing energy optimization strategies using ad-hoc communication between heterogeneous systems and the internet.

1. Intelligent Energy Usage via M2M
Communication
Short version
Rune Torbensen
rto@cfsi.dk
PhD, Aalborg University
Copenhagen, 9.Oct, 2012

2. Outline
PhD project work
Home Automation
Communication
Cooperation
Security
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References

3. PhD project work Home Automation
M2M Project Ideas Communication
Conclusion Cooperation
References Security
Outline
PhD project work
Home Automation
Communication
Cooperation
Security
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
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4. PhD project work Home Automation
M2M Project Ideas Communication
Conclusion Cooperation
References Security
Current Home Automation
Home automation has not become mainstream yet
Few complete smart house installations
◮ Building automation in the residence
◮ Installed by experts
◮ Predominantly wired and centralized (control)
◮ Components are expensive and variety is limited
◮ No dominating standard in foreseeable future
Subsystems are available
◮ Limited market share
◮ Islands of functionality
◮ Unable to interoperate with the outside
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5. PhD project work Home Automation
M2M Project Ideas Communication
Conclusion Cooperation
References Security
Future Home Automation
All electronic devices in the residence can cooperate as services
◮ Consumers may easily compose a system out of products
◮ Easy to install and use
◮ Remote access for smartphone
Many vendors, No lock-in
◮ Product-by-product purchasing
◮ Product variety
◮ Possibility to compete on price, quality and functionality
Distributed control scheme
◮ Many small controllers
◮ Ad hoc discovery of services
◮ Sensors reused for many controllers (applications)
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6. PhD project work Home Automation
M2M Project Ideas Communication
Conclusion Cooperation
References Security
Communication Challenges
Based on taxonomy of protocols for home networks
Communication methods
◮ Control wires are costly to install in existing houses
◮ Power line is immature and unreliable due to noise
◮ Low-power Short Range Wireless (SRW)
Focus on SRW technology
◮ Flexibility and refitting to existing buildings
◮ Well suited for battery powered devices
◮ Many useful but incompatible technologies
◮ Physical: bandwidth, frequencies, modulation, etc.
◮ Reliability problems due to wall penetration
Full home coverage
◮ Multi-hop routing are immature solutions
◮ Repeaters are impractical and often unsupported (disruptive)
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7. PhD project work Home Automation
M2M Project Ideas Communication
Conclusion Cooperation
References Security
Interoperable Home Automation Platform
An architecture to connect different networks into one
heterogeneous network covering the whole residence
◮ Using IP as common protocol Heat
Controller
Light
Controller
Access
Controller
◮ End-devices visible as IP devices
IP Network
◮ Controllers on IP
◮ End-to-end communication Room
Bridge
Room
Bridge
◮ Generic distributed Subnetwork
Adapter
Subnetwork
Adapter
Subnetwork
Adapter
Subnetwork
Adapter
communication infrastructure ZigBee Bluetooth ZWave Bluetooth
◮ IP room bridges
Sensor Actuator Sensor Sensor
◮ Expandable via adapter modules
Living room Bed room
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8. PhD project work Home Automation
M2M Project Ideas Communication
Conclusion Cooperation
References Security
Cooperation Challenge
Based on market actor and technology analysis
Many different applications, controllers, end-devices
◮ Number of applications growing over time (unbounded set)
◮ Incompatible service frameworks, message representation
Standard applications, profiles are predominant
◮ Considerable time and cost to introduce new ideas
◮ Standardization delay
◮ Alliance memberships and licensing costs
◮ Limit designs and innovations
A centralized, translator box is not a usable solution
◮ Hard to realize in a resource limited system
◮ Constitutes a gatekeeper
◮ Creates unwanted dependency between actors
◮ Inconsistent with concept of a generic infrastructure
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9. PhD project work Home Automation
M2M Project Ideas Communication
Conclusion Cooperation
References Security
Open Device Service Description Language
Enable cooperation between unfamiliar devices
End-devices in IHAP provide a service descriptor
Service description language:
◮ Description of any design
◮ Existing devices and profiles
◮ Legacy support allows bootstrapping the market
◮ New designs avoids standardization delay
◮ Supports fast-to-market and innovation in SME
Simple application protocols of home automation end-devices
◮ Get value or device state
◮ Send command with a parameter
◮ Listen for event
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10. PhD project work Home Automation
M2M Project Ideas Communication
Conclusion Cooperation
References Security
Security Challenges
Motivations for security in embedded systems
◮ Devices control the environment
◮ Capture and share personal data
Threats from wireless and Internet
◮ Disruption - system unable to send alarm
◮ Eavesdropping - undetectable passive data-mining
◮ Unauthorized access
◮ Opening of door locks and stealing personal data
Security must be user friendly
◮ Users often misunderstand difficult operations
◮ Misconfiguration can breach security
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11. PhD project work Home Automation
M2M Project Ideas Communication
Conclusion Cooperation
References Security
Secure Embedded Exchange Protocol (SEEP)
A secure end-to-end communication protocol
SEEP design philosophy:
◮ Internet-grade security level
◮ Optimized for resource-constrained embedded platforms
◮ Low overhead, short messages, minimal network traffic
◮ Simple and therefore formally verifiable
A formally verified alternative to SSL for embedded devices
Not required but fully compatible with IHAP
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12. PhD project work
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
Outline
PhD project work
Home Automation
Communication
Cooperation
Security
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
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13. PhD project work
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
M2M Project Ideas
Intelligent energy usage via M2M communication
◮ The motivation is energy usage optimization in buildings
◮ Reduce or move energy consumption
Development of new M2M communication technology
◮ Connecting systems both locally and remotely via the Internet
◮ Enable ad-hoc resource sharing and signal exchange
◮ Report energy usage and errors
◮ Security and privacy by design
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14. PhD project work
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
Analysis and Requirements
Energy usage optimization strategies
◮ Avoiding or postponing energy consumption, store energy
◮ User involved or automated via M2M communication
◮ Systems log information and provide overview
◮ Smartphone interface, website access
◮ Control systems communicate with utility company server
◮ Great variety of subsystems by many different vendors
Technology requirements:
◮ Ad-hoc cooperation and resource sharing
◮ Retain autonomy of each system
◮ Heterogeneous network
◮ Internet access
◮ Secure communication
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15. PhD project work
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
Outline
PhD project work
Home Automation
Communication
Cooperation
Security
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
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16. PhD project work
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
Conclusion
M2M communication technology
◮ Energy usage optimization in smaller buildings
◮ Embedded devices instead of server, lowers overall system cost
◮ Connecting heterogeneous environments to the Internet
◮ Existing products can connect without supporting IP
◮ Low entry barrier, low development cost for new vendors
◮ Cooperation is flexible, autonomy is retained
◮ Data sharing with privacy precautions
◮ Internet grade secure communication
◮ Usability, short setup time for installer/owner
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17. PhD project work
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
Outline
PhD project work
Home Automation
Communication
Cooperation
Security
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
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18. PhD project work
M2M Project Ideas
Conclusion
References
References
Relevant published papers:
Future home automation systems
◮ Rune Torbensen: ”OHAS: Open Home Automation System” IEEE, International
Symposium on Consumer Electronics, Algarve, Portugal, 2008.
Classification of wireless protocols
◮ Rune Torbensen, Klaus Marius Hansen and Theis Hjorth: ”My Home is my
Bazaar - A Taxonomy and Classification of Current Wireless Home Network
Protocols” IEEE, 2nd Eastern European Regional Conference on the Engineering
of Computer Based Systems (ECBS-EERC), Bratislava, Slovakia, 2011.
Secure embedded communication
◮ Theis Hjorth and Rune Torbensen: ”Secure Wireless Embedded Systems via
Component-based Design” Proc. of the IEEE International Conference on
Privacy, Security, Risk and Trust PASSAT 2010, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA,
Aug 2010.
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