Emerging Networks and Security (ENaS) Lab
The ENaS Lab at Texas A&M University is dedicated to developing secure and trusted solutions for emerging networks and systems. Our research encompasses a range of domains, including:
Internet of Things (IoT)
“Things,” in the IoT sense, can refer to a wide variety of devices such as heart monitoring implants, biochip transponders on farm animals, electric clams in coastal waters, automobiles with built-in sensors, DNA analysis devices for environmental/food/pathogen monitoring or field operation devices that assist firefighters in search and rescue operations. The term “Internet of things” was coined by Peter T. Lewis in a 1985 speech given at a U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supported wireless session at the Congressional Black Caucus 15th Legislative Weekend Conference. In his speech, he states that “The Internet of Things, or IoT, is the integration of people, processes and technology with connectable devices and sensors to enable remote monitoring, status, manipulation and evaluation of trends of such devices.”
Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)
A cyber-physical system (CPS) is a mechanism controlled or monitored by computer-based algorithms, tightly integrated with the internet and its users. In cyber-physical systems, physical and software components are deeply intertwined, each operating on different spatial and temporal scales, exhibiting multiple and distinct behavioral modalities, and interacting with each other in a myriad of ways that change with context. CPS involves transdisciplinary approaches, merging theory of cybernetics, mechatronics, design, and process science. The process control is often referred to as embedded systems. In embedded systems, the emphasis tends to be more on the computational elements and less on an intense link between the computational and physical elements. CPS is also similar to the Internet of Things (IoT), sharing the same basic architecture, nevertheless, CPS presents a higher combination and coordination between physical and computational elements.
Mobile Health (mHealth) Technologies
mHealth (also written as m-health) is an abbreviation for mobile health, a term used for the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices. The term is most commonly used about using mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, and PDAs, for health services and information, but also to affect emotional states. Within the mHealth space, projects operate with a variety of objectives, including increased access to healthcare and health-related information (particularly for hard-to-reach populations); improved ability to diagnose and track diseases; timelier, more actionable public health information; and expanded access to ongoing medical education and training for health workers. mHealth is one aspect of eHealth that is pushing the limits of how to acquire, transport, store, process, and secure the raw and processed data to deliver meaningful results. mHealth offers the ability for remote individuals to participate in the health care value matrix, which may not have been possible in the past. Participation does not imply just the consumption of health care services. In many cases, remote users are valuable contributors to gathering data regarding disease and public health concerns such as outdoor pollution, drugs, and violence.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) are systems that measure, collects, and analyzes energy usage, and communicates with metering devices such as electricity meters, gas meters, heat meters, and water meters, either on request or on a schedule. These systems include hardware, software, communications, consumer energy displays and controllers, customer-associated systems, Meter Data Management (MDM) software, and supplier business systems. Government agencies and utilities are turning toward advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems as part of larger ‘Smart Grid’ initiatives. AMI extends current advanced meter reading (AMR) technology by providing two-way meter communications, allowing commands to be sent to the home for multiple purposes, including ‘time-of-use’ pricing information, demand-response actions, or remote service disconnects. Wireless technologies are critical elements of the ‘Neighborhood Area Network’ (NAN), aggregating a mesh configuration of up to thousands of meters for backhaul to the utility’s IT headquarters.
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN)
Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are spatially distributed autonomous sensors to monitor physical or environmental conditions, such as temperature, sound, pressure, etc., and cooperatively pass their data through the network to a main location. The more modern networks are bi-directional, also enabling control of sensor activity. The development of wireless sensor networks was motivated by military applications such as battlefield surveillance; today, such networks are used in many industrial and consumer applications, such as industrial process monitoring and control, machine health monitoring, and so on.
Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT)
The Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) represents the convergence of robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT), creating a network of intelligent devices capable of perceiving, processing, and acting upon data in real-time. By integrating sensors, actuators, and communication technologies, IoRT systems facilitate autonomous decision-making and coordinated actions among robotic entities. In industrial settings, IoRT-powered robots automate and streamline manufacturing and maintenance processes, adapting to changing conditions and tasks. In healthcare, assistive robotic systems support patient monitoring, rehabilitation, and surgical procedures. Agricultural applications include autonomous robots for crop monitoring, soil analysis, and precision farming. In smart cities, robotic systems contribute to infrastructure inspection, waste management, and public safety.