Andrea M. Tonello

Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt · Institute of Networked and Embedded Systems

We are assisting at a growing interest in the development of learning architectures with application to digital communication systems. Herein, we consider the detection/decoding problem. We aim at developing an optimal neural architecture for such a task. The definition of the optimal criterion is a fundamental step. We propose to use the mutual in...

We are assisting at a growing interest in the development of learning architectures with application to digital communication systems. Herein, we consider the detection/decoding problem. We aim at developing an optimal neural architecture for such a task. The definition of the optimal criterion is a fundamental step. We propose to use the mutual in...

The development of optimal and efficient machine learning-based communication systems is likely to be a key enabler of beyond 5G communication technologies. In this direction, physical layer design has been recently reformulated under a deep learning framework where the autoencoder paradigm foresees the full communication system as an end-to-end co...

This paper presents a control-based trajectory generation approach for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under dynamic constraints. It exploits the concept of optimal control to find closed-form differential equations that satisfy any arbitrary dynamic limitation mapped into kinematic constraints. Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle applies to derive a se...

Several experiments and field trials have shown that deterministic components characterize the Power Line Communication (PLC) noise across multiple-conductors. This article aims at understanding the main origins of these noise components and evaluate several methods to characterize them statistically. The correlation, distance-correlation, mutual i...

Channel capacity plays a crucial role in the development of modern communication systems as it represents the maximum rate at which information can be reliably transmitted over a communication channel. Nevertheless, for the majority of channels, finding a closed-form capacity expression remains an open challenge. This is because it requires to carr...

The autoencoder concept has fostered the reinterpretation and the design of modern communication systems. It consists of an encoder, a channel, and a decoder block which modify their internal neural structure in an end-to-end learning fashion. However, the current approach to train an autoencoder relies on the use of the cross-entropy loss function...

In-band full-duplex (IBFD) is an attractive solution for increasing the throughput of Power Line Communication (PLC) systems. In IBFD, each network node is allowed to transmit and receive simultaneously in the same frequency band. This paper discusses the importance of defining figures of merit to analyze IBFD performance, which is often forgotten...

This aticle presents a novel recursive smooth trajectory (RST) generation algorithm for application in robotics and in particular for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). RST builds the trajectory recursively as a smooth polynomial path, thus a closed form trajectory satisfying any arbitrary dynamic limitation that translates into kinematic constraints...

Recent advancements in generative networks have shown that it is possible to produce real-world-like data using deep neural networks. Some implicit probabilistic models that follow a stochastic procedure to directly generate data have been introduced to overcome the intractability of the posterior distribution. However, the ability to model data re...

We propose a mechanical system named swash mass pendulum (SMP) with application in robotics, and we develop a passivity-based control approach. The SMP is a pendulum made of a rigid shaft connected to a pair of cross-shafts where four swash masses can move under the action of servo mechanisms. The control objective is to stabilize the pendulum at a...

In this letter, an investigation of the very high frequency - ultra high frequency (VHF)-(UHF) wireless broadband indoor channel is carried out. In particular, a wireless channel measurement campaign in an indoor environment has been made, in order to characterise the path loss in a broad set of frequencies. The wireless channel is sounded by using...

The autoencoder concept has fostered the reinterpretation and the design of modern communication systems. It consists of an encoder, a channel, and a decoder block which modify their internal neural structure in an end-to-end learning fashion. However, the current approach to train an autoencoder relies on the use of the cross-entropy loss function...

We consider a small helicopter structure that is maneuvered through the control of moving masses. It is referred to as a swash mass helicopter (SMH). This paper addresses the trajectory tracking control problem for the SMH, with a specific focus on the decoupling change of coordinates of both rotational and translational dynamics.We propose a contr...

A key challenge in narrowband power line communications (NB-PLC) is the mitigation of impairments introduced by the correlated cyclostationary noise. The frequency-shift (FRESH) filtering approach has been recently proposed to reproduce a cyclostationary NB-PLC noise with characteristics similar to those obtained from field measurements. In this pa...

Leakage of information in power line communication (PLC) networks is a threat to privacy and security. A way to enhance security is to encode the transmitted information with the use of a secret key. If the communication channel exhibits common characteristics at both ends and these are unknown to a potential eavesdropper, then it is possible to lo...

Power line communication (PLC) is a growing technology which utilizes the existing pre-installed power delivery infrastructure for data transmission. While it is true that the history of PLC technology goes back to the beginning of the last century, when the first data transmission over power lines took place for low data rate control and monitorin...

In this paper, a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) structure, referred to as swash mass UAV, is presented. It consists of a double blade coaxial shaft rotor and four swash masses that allow changing the orientation and maneuvering the UAV. The dynamical system model is derived from the Newton\textquotesingle s law framework. The rotational behavior...

A great deal of attention has been recently given to Machine Learning (ML) techniques in many different application fields. This paper provides a vision of what ML can do in Power Line Communications (PLC). We first and briefly describe classical formulations of the ML, and distinguish deterministic from statistical learning models with relevance t...

An effective approach to enhance the data rate in narrowband power line communication (NBPLC) system is multi-carrier modulation based on orthogonal frequency-division mul-tiplexing (OFDM) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission over multiple power line phases. A key challenge for achieving reliable communication over MIMO-OFDM NBPLC...

A great deal of attention has been recently given to Machine Learning (ML) techniques in many different application fields. This paper provides a vision of what ML can do in Power Line Communications (PLC). We firstly and briefly describe classical formulations of ML, and distinguish deterministic problems from statistical problems with relevance t...

The aim of the present work is to provide the theoretical fundamentals needed to monitor power grids using high frequency sensors. In our context, network monitoring refers to the harvesting of different kinds of information: topology of the grid, load changes, presence of faults and cable degradation. We rely on transmission line theory to carry o...

Signal relays in power line communication networks are usually implemented using the decode-and-forward protocol, which requires complex relays. In this paper, we propose a real time amplify-and-forward relay that is mainly based on an analog full duplex architecture. The speed of analog circuits enables the amplification of the incoming signal wit...

The main subject of this paper is the sensing of network anomalies that span from harmless impedance changes at some network termination to more or less pronounced electrical faults, considering also cable degradation over time. In this paper, we present how to harvest information about such anomalies in distribution grids using high frequency sign...

The focusing ability of the lens antennas can significantly contribute to perform precise radio localization with low complexity in a massive antennas array (MAA) system. Thus, by combining lens antennas with a MAA, we propose an approach for radio source localization through angle of arrival (AoA) estimation in a multipath propagation scenario. We...

The market projection for Internet of Things (IoT) systems is appealing for the Power Line Communication (PLC) technology. A massive growth and a pervasive presence of these IoT objects is expected in our everyday life. About 20 billion of IoT devices are forecasted to be installed in the next two years. PLC is a compelling technology that could be...

Leakage of information in power line communication networks is a threat to privacy and security both in smart grids and in-home applications. A way to enhance security is to encode the transmitted information with a secret key. Relying on the channel properties, it is possible to generate a common key at the two communication ends without transmitt...

The main subject of this paper is the sensing of network anomalies that span from harmless impedance changes at some network termination to more or less pronounced electrical faults, considering also cable degradation over time. In this paper, we present how to harvest information about such anomalies in distribution grids using high frequency sign...

The aim of the present work is to provide the theoretical fundamentals needed to monitor power grids using high frequency sensors. In our context, network monitoring refers to the harvesting of different kinds of information: topology of the grid, load changes, presence of faults and cable degradation. We rely on transmission line theory to carry o...

In recent times, massive antenna array technology has captured significant attention among wireless communication researchers. This is a field with strong potential to increase rates of data transfer; mitigate interference and serve a large number of users simultaneously. To contribute further to this emerging technology, this paper presents an app...

Disruptive technologies proposed for 5G wireless systems and the IoT hold promise of providing unprecedented localization capabilities for a wide range of application scenarios and target environments. This whitepaper summarizes the expected features and resulting properties of upcoming localization systems exploiting 5G and IoT technologies. It al...

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has recently been proposed for dual-hop cooperative relaying power line communication (PLC) systems. Unlike conventional NOMA-PLC schemes which deploy NOMA only at the relay, this paper proposes to enhance the performance of such systems by implementing the principle of NOMA at both the source and relaying mode...

This paper focuses on MIMO Power Line Communication (PLC) to provide increased performance. In MIMO PLC, appropriate coupling methods are necessary in order to enable the effective injection of the signal through the broad band PLC channel so that high data rates can be achieved. In this paper, we want to analytically characterize strengths and wea...

Transmission line theory enables the bottom up study of networks based on wireline infrastructures. This technique is here applied to a simulator that brings together powerline communication networks with small radio cells ones in a hybrid paradigm: this allows to implement a study of channel capacity and communication quality based on the geometri...

Nowadays, multi-sensor networks are evolving into large scale networks with limited bandwidth and energy reservoirs. Hence, reducing the number of information exchanges among the sensors is an efficient approach to meet the stringent requirements of bandwidth and energy in the context of multisensor state estimation. In this paper, a surprisal base...

p>This paper presents the performance analysis of hybrid rat race coupler, widely used in radio frequency (RF)/wireless communication systems to couple the power in the desired way. The hybrid ring coupler consists of 4 ports, two for the input signals and two for the output signals, where sum and difference patterns of the applied two signals can...

In this paper, we propose a low complexity based direction finding approach in an electromagnetic (EM) lens assisted massive antenna system. The EM lens provide the advantage of focusing the received signal energy on a small area/subset of the antennas array at the base station (BS). Thus, by taking the advantage of this focusing ability, we propos...

Power distribution grids are exploited by power line communication (PLC) technology to convey high-frequency data signals. The natural conformation of such power line networks causes a relevant part of the high-frequency signals traveling through them to be radiated instead of being conducted. This causes not only electromagnetic interference with...

A major aspect in power line distribution networks is the constant monitoring of the network properties. With the advent of the smart grid concept, distributed monitoring has started complementing the information of the central stations. In this context, power line communications modems deployed throughout the network provide a tool to monitor high...

Most, if not all, existing studies on power line communication (PLC) systems as well as industrial PLC standards are based on orthogonal multiple access schemes such as orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing and code-division multiple access. In this paper, we propose non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) for decode-and-forward cooperative rela...

The aim of this paper is to provide a realistic stochastic trajectory generation method for unmanned aerial vehicles that offers a tool for the emulation of trajectories in typical flight scenarios. Three scenarios are defined in this paper. The trajectories for these scenarios are implemented with quintic B-splines that grant smoothness in the sec...

This paper proposes a synthetic statistical top-down MIMO power line communications channel model based on a pure phenomenological approach. The basic idea consists of directly synthesizing the experimental channel statistical properties to obtain an extremely compact model that requires a small set of parameters. The model is derived from the anal...

In this paper, a novel switched hardware approach to angle of arrival (AoA) estimation in radio systems that signal using quadrature amplitude modulations (QAM) is presented. The proposed algorithm, namely constellation statistical pattern identification and overlap (CSP-IDO), is based on the comparison of the probability density functions of succe...

The structured compressed sensing based framework for the estimation of NarrowBand Interference (NBI) in power line communication is proposed, which facilitates in-home interconnection and prevents the wired consumer electronics devices from contamination of NBI. To recover the NBI accurately, the Structured Compressed Sensing (SCS) theory is intro...

Energy efficiency in multihop cooperative power-line communication (PLC) systems has recently received considerable attention in the literature. In order to make such systems more energy efficient, this paper proposes a relaying technique equipped with energy-harvesting capabilities. More specifically, we consider a dual-hop decode-and-forward (DF)...

This paper considers Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) aspects in the context of Power Line Communication (PLC) systems. It offers a complete overview of both narrow band PLC and broad band PLC EMC norms. How to interpret and translate such norms and measurement procedures into typical constraints used by designers of communication systems, is di...

The employment of power lines for communications (PLC) has been theorized almost a century ago; although the physical medium is not meant for data transmission, recent technical developments pushed the capacity boundary much higher than expected, allowing to consider PLC for new applications as the one considered in this contribution, i.e., as a so...

The two major sources of disturbances for an efficient and reliable data transmission through power lines, known as power line communication (PLC), are impulsive noise (IN) and narrow band interference (NBI). In this paper, we propose an algorithm to cancel the IN and NBI simultaneously for an OFDM based PLC system. The proposed method exploits the...

A fundamental requirement to develop routing strategies in power line networks is the knowledge of the network topology, which might not be complete. In this work, we present a novel method to derive the topology of a distribution network that exploits the capability of Power Line Communication modems to measure the network admittance, and we repor...

The knowledge of the topology of a wired network is often of fundamental importance. For instance, in the context of Power Line Communications (PLC) networks it is helpful to implement data routing strategies, while in power distribution networks and Smart Micro Grids (SMG) it is required for grid monitoring and for power flow management. In this p...

Impedance matching plays an important role in a power-line-communication system. We investigate the effect on the signal-to-noise ratio at the receiver and on the system capacity of three different impedance matching criteria at the transmitter, assuming broad-band communication. We show that optimal impedance matching shall maximize the amplitude...

Welcome to the IEEE JSAC special issue on Power Line Communications and its Integration with the Networking Ecosystem. This special issue was motivated by the growth in maturity of power line communications (PLC) over the last ten years since the last JSAC special issue focusing on PLC in 2006. For this special issue, we hoped to receive papers sho...

In this work, we propose a multi-camera object tracking method with surprisal observations based on the cubature information filter in visual sensor networks. In multi-camera object tracking approaches, multiple cameras observe an object and exchange the object’s local information with each other to compute the global state of the object. The infor...

This chapter provides an overview of the state of the art in channel characterization for power line communication (PLC). It sets the stage with an overview of basic power line topologies and characteristics of power line channels. The chapter discusses the channel models that fall into three main categories, namely deterministic, empirical and hyb...

Power lines provide a shared communication channel so that medium access control (MAC) and protocols that reside above the physical layer have to be implemented. This chapter describes such protocols, summarizes the MAC principles and considers a power line communication (PLC) network organized in multiple cells. In such a scenario, media access sc...

This chapter discusses the single carrier modulation techniques which have been proposed and used in first generation narrowband PLC systems. It emphasizes the recent insight and research focusing first on frequency/phase shift keying combined with permutation coding. The chapter covers multicarrier modulation which is at the heart of latest narrow...