SDQ: Software Defined Networking experimentation framework

Fawcett, L., Mu, M., Broadbent, M., Hart, N. and Race, N. (2016) SDQ: enabling rapid QoE experimentation using Software Defined Networking. In: IFIP/IEEE International Symposium on Integrated Network Management. New York: IEEE. (Accepted)

Abstract
The emerging network paradigm of Software Defined Networking (SDN) has been increasingly adopted to improve the Quality of Experiences (QoE) across multiple HTTP adaptive streaming (HAS) instances. However, there is currently a gap between research and reality in this field. QoE models, which offer user-level context to network management processes, are often tested in a simulation environment. Such environments do not consider the effects that network protocols, client programs, and other real world factors may have on the outcomes. Ultimately, this can lead to models not functioning as expected in real networks. On the other hand, setting up an experiment that reflects reality is a time consuming process requiring expert knowledge. This paper shares designs and guidelines of an SDN experimentation framework (SDQ), which offers rapid evaluation of QoE models using real network infrastructures.

To be presented at:
15th International Federation for Information Processing/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IFIP/IEEE) International Symposium on Integrated Network Management (IM2017) http://im2017.ieee-im.org/
Lisbon, Portugal
08-12 May 2017

All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with. Twitter: @scottturneruon

Mini Project: robot talks to UFO

CBiS Education generously sent me two of their new range of robotics development kits - Consumable Robotics (consumable-robotics.com) to try out. These are a range of cardboard based robotics kits (so far a robot named Dimm, and a UFO) with electronic components for example LEDs; sensors and buzzers,  depending on the kits. 

What makes the kits interesting though, is they are designed to be controlled by either a BBC Micro:bit or a CodeBug. In previous posts elsewhere (UFO has Landed and DIMM the OOD)  I started playing with the CBiSEducation's UFO and Dimm consumable robots separately. Still using the Micro:Bit, in this post, using Micropython to send messages between the two kits is considered.

Stage 1 Wiring and Set up-UFO
Pins 0 and 1, on the Micro:bit, are outputs to the LEDs
The black leads on the UFO go to GND.

Micropython and the use of  the Micro:Bit's built in radio module (Bluetooth) provides a route for communication between the two kits.



Stage 2 Code - UFO
The code is set to switch on and off the UFO's LEDs, followed by scrolling a message "DIMM Calling" when it receives a message "dimm" via Bluetooth. 

Basic overview is
- Turn on the radio module - radio.on()
- If the message is received then turn the LEDs on and off and send "DIMM calling"
- send a message via bluetooth "ufo" to whoever is listening (in the end the robot DIMM hopefully). The code is shown below. 

import radio
from microbit import pin0, pin1, display, sleep

def pulseLed1(duration):
   pin1.write_digital(0)
   pin0.write_digital(1)
   sleep(duration)
   
def pulseLed2(duration):
   pin1.write_digital(1)
   pin0.write_digital(0)
   sleep(duration)
   
def stopIt():
   pin0.write_digital(0)
   pin1.write_digital(0)

radio.on()

while True:
   incoming = radio.receive()
   stopIt()
   if incoming == 'dimm':   
      pulseLed1(1000)
      pulseLed2(1000)
      stopIt()
      radio.send("ufo")
      display.scroll("DIMM calling")

To use the radio module you will need to switch to the mu editor (http://codewith.mu/).

Stage 3 Testing it
To test it, a second Micro:bit was used to send test signals. The code for this is shown below. When button A is pressed on the second Micro:Bit a message 'dimm' is sent followed by sending 'not'.

import radio
from microbit import button_a, button_b, sleep

radio.on()

while True:
   if button_a.is_pressed():
       radio.send('dimm')
       radio.send('not')
       
   if button_b.is_pressed():
       radio.send('ufo')
       radio.send('not')

Testing does show the UFO does cycle through the sequence of LEDs flashes and the message scrolls. The slight bug is in repeats it several times before it stops; possibly a buffering issue somewhere.

 


Stage 5 Build

Now the focus moves to Dimm and the setting up the actions leading to the messages being passed.

Set-up is relatively easy. Using the Micro:bits port 0 (as part of the Dimm robot) for the input from the light sensor, which is included in the kit (Red lead going to 3v and the black lead going to GND), we now have light detecting ability . Just to note the less light there is the higher the value on the sensor.

Stage 6 Code
Micropython programmed through the Mu editor (see below)

If light levels are high then :
      scroll a message saying "calling UFO" 
      send the code "dimm" via bluetooth.
otherwise: 
      scroll a message saying "I can't see"
If it recieves "ufo" via bluetooth :
      display "Hello, UFO called me"

Micropython code
import radio
from microbit import pin0, pin1, display, sleep

radio.on()

while True:
   incoming = radio.receive()
   if incoming == 'ufo':  
      display.scroll("Hello, UFO called me", 75)
   if pin0.read_analog()<175: font="">
        display.scroll("calling UFO")
        radio.send("dimm")
   else:
        display.scroll("I can't see")

Stage 7 Testing

Video below shows it in action.

• When the light (in this case a torch) shines on the sensor connected to Dimm; a message is sent and picked up by the UFO kit (LEDs flash and the message saying "DIMM calling" scrolls  across the UFO LED array). A message is sent from the UFO kit and on Dimm's LED array scrolls the message "Hello, UFO called me").
• If the light levels are too low, then the message "I can't see" scrolls across Dimm's LED array.

All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with. Twitter @scottturneruon

If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton goto: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Improving interactive TV using a mobile applications

Recent paper produce by Dr Mu Mu:

Improving interactive TV experience using second screen mobile applications

Mu, M., Knowles, W. and Race, N.

IEEE International Symposium on Multimedia. Miami, Florida: IEEE Computer Society Press. (In Press)

Abstract
The past two decades have seen a shift in the multimedia consumption behaviours from that of collectivism and passivity, to individualism and activity. This paper introduces the architectural design, implementation and user evaluation of a second screen application, which is designed to supersede the traditional user control interface for primary screen interaction. We describe how NSMobile, our second screen application, can be used as a pervasive multimedia platform by integrating user experiences on both the second screen and primary screen. The quantitative and qualitative evaluation of user interactions with interactive TV content also contributes to the future design of second screen applications.



Mu, M., Knowles, W. and Race, N. (2015) Improving interactive TV experience using second screen mobile application


If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with