QoE-aware inter-stream synchronization in open N-screens cloud

A recent paper by Dr Mu Mu:

QoE-aware inter-stream synchronization in open N-screens cloud

Mu, M., Simpson, S., Stokking, H. and Race, N.

Consumer Communications and Networking (CCNC), 2016 13th Annual IEEE. Las Vegas: IEEE. 2331-9860.

Abstract

The growing popularity and increasing performance of mobile devices is transforming the way in which media can be consumed, from single device playback to orchestrated multi-stream experiences across multiple devices. One of the biggest challenges in realizing such immersive media experience is the dynamic management of synchronicity between associated media streams. This is further complicated by the faceted aspects of user perception and heterogeneity of user devices and networks. This paper introduces a QoE-aware open inter-stream media synchronization framework (IMSync). IMSync employs efficient monitoring and control mechanisms, as well as a bespoke QoE impact model derived from subjective user experiments. Given a current lag, IMSync's aim is to use the impact model to determine a good catch-up strategy that minimizes detrimental impact on QoE. The impact model balances the accumulative impact of re-synchronization processes and the degree of non-synchronicity to ensure the QoE. Experimental results verify the run-time performance of the framework as a foundation for immersive media experience in open N-Screens cloud.

Mu, M., Simpson, S., Stokking, H. and Race, N. (2016) QoE-aware inter-stream synchronization in open N-screens cloud. In:Consumer Communications and Networking (CCNC), 2016 13th Annual IEEE. Las Vegas: IEEE. 2331-9860. (In Press)

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

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

Research in Wireless Networking, Mobile and Systems

This has been a long-term strength in the Department, with both research and consultancy activities in this area. Expertise in wireless communications, embedded systems, networking and robotics all are within this this grouping.

Resources

·         CISCO networking lab and the Department is a CISCO accredited Academy.

·         Academic partner in the Weightless Wireless Standard group.

·         Embedded Systems lab based around microcontrollers

·         Swarm robots

Recent Publications

• Sub 1GHz M2M communications standardization: The advancement in white space utilization for enhancing the energy efficiency(Sylvester Ajah, Ali Al-Sherbaz, Scott J Turner, Philip Picton), In PGNET Proceedings of the 15th Annual Postgraduate Symposium on the Convergence of Telecommunications Networking and Broadcasting 2014, M Merabti, O Abuelmaatti, C Oliver (eds.), Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool UK, 2014.   
• Modelling simulation and experimental validation of nonlinear dynamic interactions in an aramid rope system (Stefan Kaczmarczyk, Seyed Mirhadizadeh, Philip Picton, Rodanthi Salamaliki-Simpson, Scott J Turner), In 11th Biennial International Conference on Vibration Problems (ICOVP-2013) Conference Proceedings, Z Dimitrovova (eds.), ICOVP, 2013. 
• Analyse the risks of ad hoc programming in web development and develop a metrics of appropriate tools (Manish Gubhaju, Ali Al-Sherbaz), In American Journal of Information Systems, volume 1, pp. 9--20, 2013. 
• WiMax-WiFi Techniques for Baseband Convergence (Ali Al-Sherbaz), , 2013. 
• Probabilistic multi robot path planning in dynamic environments: a comparison between A* and DFS (Shwail, S. H., Karim, A. and Turner, S. J.  In .International Journal of Computer Applications. 82(7), pp. 29-34. 0975- 8887, 2013
• Enhancing the physical layer in V2V communication using OFDM - MIMO techniques (Ahmad Baheej Al-khalil, Ali Al-Sherbaz, Scott J Turner), In Proceedings of the 14th Annual Postgraduate Symposium on the Convergence of Telecommunications Networking and Broadcasting, Omar Arsuelma'atti (eds.), PGNet, Liverpool, 2013. 
• W2BC: a proposal for a converged baseband implementation of WiMax and WiFi transceivers (Ali Al-Sherbaz, Ihsan Lami), InInternational Journal of Information and Network Security (IJINS), volume 2, pp. 91--102, 2013.   
• Optimisation of routing protocols for Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) to achieve higher quality of service for real time applications(Rashmi Dravid, Ali Al-Sherbaz), In 3rd Annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing India (GHCI), 2012. 
• iSurvival: a collaborative mobile network system for disaster management (Ali Al-Sherbaz, Rashmi Dravid, Espen Svennevik, Philip Picton), In Collaborative Networks in the Internet of Services, Luis M Camarinha-Matos, Lai Xu, Hamideh Afsarmanesh (eds.), Springer, Bournemouth, pp. 318--326, 2012. 
• Utilising mobile mesh networks for disaster management (Ali Al-Sherbaz, Rashmi Dravid), In Proceedings M4D 2012, Jakob Svensson (eds.), Karlstad University Studies, New Delhi India, pp. 441--441, 2012.   
• Method and process for routing and node addressing in Wireless Mesh Networks (Ali Al-Sherbaz, Sabah Jasim, Ihsan Lami, Chris Adams), In missing booktitle, 2011. 
• WiMAX-WiFi techniques for baseband convergence and routing protocols (Ali Al-Sherbaz), In missing booktitle, 2010. 
• WiMAX parameters adaptation through a baseband processor using discrete particle swarm method (Ali Al-Sherbaz, Torben Kuseler, Chris Adams, Roman Marsalek, Karel Povalac), In International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies, volume 2, pp. 165--171, 2010. 
• Private synchronization technique for heterogeneous wireless network (WiFi and WiMAX) (Ali Al-Sherbaz, Chris Adams, Sabah Jassim), In Mobile Multimedia/Image Processing Security and Applications 2008, Sos S Agiain, Sabah Jassim (eds.), Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), Bellingham Washington, 2008. 
• The application of computerised image analysis to determine physical properties of leather (Saqib Kabeer, Geoff E Attenburrow, Philip Picton, Malcolm Wilson), In XXIX Congress of the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies, 2007. 

To find out more contact: Scott Turner

If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk

Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies Research & Enterprise Activities​​​​

Taken from: http://www.computing.northampton.ac.uk/index.php/research/overview

Research and Enterprise Activities​​​​

The University of Northampton's research in computing takes place within the Advanced Technologies Research Group (ATRG) and the Science and Technology Research in Pedagogy (STRiPe) Group.
As well as supporting high quality undergraduate and postgraduate education in computing, members of this team are proud of their ability to successfully work with businesses, the public sector and academia. There is a strong interdisciplinary nature to the research and staff work with other parts of the School of Science and Technology​, the University, and external partners.
Particular areas of expertise include graphics, mobile device application development, problem-solving and computing in healthcare, networks, software engineering, serious games and advanced web systems

Summary of the expertise groupings

1 Wireless Networking, Mobile and Systems
This has been a long-term strength in the Department, with both research and consultancy activities in this area. Expertise in wireless communications, embedded systems, networking and robotics all are within this this grouping.
Resources
• CISCO networking lab and the Department is a CISCO accredited Academy.
• Academic partner in the Weightless Wireless Standard group.
• Embedded Systems lab based around microcontrollers
• Swarm robots

2. Science and Technology Research in Pedagogy
This is a formally recognised Research Group in the University and is also one of the biggest in terms of members. Though it is based in the Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies, it has members from across the School and external to the School and was set up to bring together activities in innovative teaching practice that relates to teaching STEM subjects.
Resources
• Small teaching robots.

3. Software Engineering and High Performance Computing
This area is growing both in terms of staff research and consultancy. Examples included
• PhD studentship with GE Aviation on model-based software design.
• Mobile App developed for both small and large organisations (for example Northampton County Council).
Resources
• Eye Tracking software for usability testing of software, video, electronic promotional material and websites.
• Software for developing mobile applications.
• High Performance Computing via NVision server cluster

4. Games Technologies and Visualisation
The use of games and games technology to solve problems is another area of strength within the team.
Resources
• Portable virtual reality equipment
• Haptic devices for providing force feedback
• Use of CAVE via NVision

Examples of recent projects include:

• Developing material to refine skills in computing and other areas in year seven, eight and nine students in schools
• A study into the computer interface needs of people with dyslexia
• Development of mobile device applications for businesses
• Virtual reality and related techniques for healthcare
• Robotics and applied artificial intelligence techniques
• Applied signal and data processing
• Web-based database systems
• Effective teaching and learning in computing​
• Assessment of vehicle to vehicle network communications
• Development of a language learning game

To find out more contact: Scott Turner

If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk

Preprint: Computer Science Courses Using Laptops

A preprint of paper to be publish in the next edition the journal Innovation in Teaching and Learning in Information and Computer Sciences (ITALICS) is now available at http://journals.heacademy.ac.uk/doi/abs/10.11120/ital.2014.00011

Computer Science Courses Using Laptops

Gary Hill, Espen Svennevik and Scott Turner

Department of Computing & Immersive Technologies, University of Northampton, UK

Corresponding author: Scott Turner, Department of Computing & Immersive Technologies, University of Northampton, UK Email: scott.turner@northampton.ac.uk, Phone: +44 (0) 1604 893028

Abstract

Traditionally computer sciences courses have been taught using laboratories full of expensive desktop computers. Although this approach may have been valid in the 80, 90s and even the early part of this decade, this paper suggests that buying, maintaining and replacing laboratories full of computers is no longer required. This paper raises the issues associated with attempting to use laptops – as thin/thick clients using virtual machines – to deliver the computer science curriculum and offers potential solutions that, in some cases, may make computer science courses at such ‘brave’ institutions more appealing.

Read More: http://journals.heacademy.ac.uk/doi/abs/10.11120/ital.2014.00011

Gary Hill, Espen Svennevik, and Scott Turner: (2014) Computer Science Courses Using Laptops. Innovation in Teaching and Learning in Information and Computer Sciences. DOI: 10.11120/ital.2014.00011

Posted with Blogsy

BCS northampton Event: Mobile Device Management and Bring your own device

21st January 2014 -  Mobile Device Management and Bring your own device.

Start at 7:30pm  arrive after 7pm 

Room 205 

Newton Building,

 Avenue Campus, 

University of Northampton, 

St Georges Avenue, Northampton, NN2 6JD

Part 1

What is Mobile device Management and why introduce BYOD Barney Duffy

> What Mobility is about (MDM, Mobile Content Management, Mobile Application Management, Integration, Security)

> Why you should consider before introducing BYOD such as polices, profiles and benefits.

> WLAN access, Mobile Applications Diary and Calendar.

> Multiple devices.

> Managing access to active sync through Mobile Device Management.

> Device Management versus sandbox environment.

> Migration to mobile devices from workstations.

> Company assistance in purchasing devices Why is this a good idea.

Part 2 Alistair from Mutch Mobileiron

> MDM Technology, How it works (AD, SCEP Integration, access to Share point)

> Why MDM is secure

> How users enrol to the service

> Differences in the different OS and handsets, Things to consider

> Deploying handsets, managing upgrades

> Public and Enterprise applications (Wrapped Apps)

> Current Functionality (What is possible have you a good example)

> Future functionality (what is coming in the near future)

> Integration with Cisco ISE technology (What are the benefits)

> Removing information, partial full wipe

> Protection against jailbreak

> How BYOD can save companies money and provide security

> Companies that have benefitted from BYOD such as NHS etc

How to find Avenue Campus

MSc Computing Projects 2013

A sample of the MSc Computing projects completed in 2013 at the School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton.

Investigation and Development of a Networking and Cyber Security Lab

Fungai P. Mundoma

For more details go to : http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/msc-student-work-investigation-and.html

MOBILE NETWORK SYSTEM FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT

OLATUNDE AYANLEYE 

For more details go to : http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/msc-student-work-mobile-network-system.html

Chatbot: an innovative approach towards learning and teaching process in today’s education system.

Poonam Bhatia

For more details go to: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/msc-student-work-chatbot-innovative.html

Cloud Computing Infrastructure
Hang Xu

For more details go to: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/msc-work-implementation-of-openstack.html

Interactive TV applied to internet broadcast media 

James Smith

For more information go to: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/msc-dissertation-interactive-tv.html

The University of Northampton's, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies offers five courses within the MSc Computing postgraduate provision (shown below) all available either part-time or full-time. 

• MSc Computing
• MSc Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• MSc Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Software Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Immersive Technologies)

mobile network for disaster management

MOBILE NETWORK SYSTEM FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT

OLATUNDE AYANLEYE 

Abstract

One common problem associated with catastrophes as pointed out in this document research, is the issue of lack of communication and information. Over recent years, there have been deliberations about how disasters could have been managed better with the presence of good communication medium and means to vital information prior and during the course of the rescue process. This document sheds more light on this problem with analysis of real case studies and a proposed solution to tackle it. It describes the development of part of an ongoing project designed to handle real time access to information and a fast deployable means of communication. The project involves the use of wireless mesh network and mobile devices to establish a setup for the exchange of information to manage disasters.

The University of Northampton's, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies offers five courses within the MSc Computing postgraduate provision (shown below) all available either part-time or full-time. 

• MSc Computing
• MSc Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• MSc Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Software Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Immersive Technologies)

Dr Ali Al-Sherbaz: Mobile, wireless and networking

Research interests

1. Computer Network and Wireless Technologies
2. Mobile Ad-Hoc Routing
3. Signal Processing and Cognitive Radio 
4. Cybernet Security
5. Computational Mathematics

Recent Publications

2013

• ihsan lami, Ali Al-Sherbaz (2013) W2BC: A Proposal for a Converged Baseband Implementation of WiMax and WiFi Transceivers International Journal of Information and Network Security (IJINS) Vol.2, No.1, February 2013, pp. 426 - 437 ISSN: 2089-3299

2012

• Dravid R and Al-Sherbaz, A (2012) Optimization of Routing Protocols for Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) to Achieve Higher Quality of Service for Real-Time Applications 3rd Annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, Bangalore, India, December 12-14 2012
• Turner, S. and Al-Sherbaz, A. (2012) What's the problem with problem-solving? Seminar Presentation presented to: Insights into the future of learning and teaching at Northampton, University of Northampton, 3rd December 2012
• Al-Sherbaz Ali, Dravid Rashmi, Svennevik Espen and Picton Phil  (2012)" iSurvival: A Collaborative Mobile Network System for Disaster Management" PRO-VE’12 -13th Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises : Collaborative Networks in the Internet of Services, University of Bournemouth, 1-3 October 2012
• Al-Sherbaz A, Dravid R (2012) "Ultilising Mobile Mesh Networks for Disaster Management" M4D2012, 27-29 February 2012, New Delhi, India

2011

• Al-Sherbaz A, Minai A, Xue J, Dravid R (2011) "An Embedded Pedagogic Model for Computer Forensics within an
  Undergraduate Programme" 7th Annual Teaching Computer Forensics Workshop, University of Sunderland 10th November 2011

2010

• AL-SHERBAZ, A.; KUSELER, T.; ADAMS, C.; MARŠÁLEK, R.; POVALAČ, K. (2010) WiMAX Parameters Adaptation Through A Baseband Processor Using Discrete Particle Swarm Method. International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies, Cambridge Press, 2010, vol. 2010 (2), no. 2, p. 1 - 7. ISSN: 1759- 0787.

2009

• Al-Sherbaz A., C. Adams, S. Jassim (2009) “WiMAX-WiFi Convergence with OFDM Bridge”, SPIE Defence and Security Proceeding Conference, Orlando, Florida USA, April-2009.

2008

• Al-Sherbaz A., C. Adams, S. Jassim (2008) “Convergence in wireless transmission technology promises best of both worlds”, SPIE Opt electronics and Optical Communications newsroom, Nov-2008  
•  Al-Sherbaz A., C. Adams, S. Jassim (2008)  “Private Synchronization Technique for Heterogeneous Wireless Network (WiFi and WiMAX)”, SPIE Defence and Security Proceeding Conference, Orlando, Florida USA, March-2008 
•  Li F., A. Al-Sharbaz, S. Jassim, and C. Adams (2008), “Credibility Based Secure Route Finding in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks”, SPIE Defence and Security Proceeding Conference, Orlando, Florida USA, March-2008 

Contact: ali-al-sherbaz@northampton.ac.uk

Profile: http://www.northampton.ac.uk/people/ali.al-sherbaz 



Related

• Dr Ali Al-Sherbaz: Mobile
• Dr Scott Turner- robots, genetic algorithms and pr...
• Dr James Xue: distributed and cloud computing
• Dr Yinghui Zhang: haptics and virtual reality
• Gary Hill: solving problems
• Dr Suraj Ajit: Recent Publications

CEISE2011 paper: Green Computer Science Courses! We’re going mobile!

An abstract from the 7th China – Europe International Symposium on Software Industry Orientated Education to be held 23-24th May 2011 at School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton, UK. For more details can be found at this link.



Green Computer Science Courses! We’re going mobile!

Gary Hill, Espen Svennevik, Scott Turner
Division of Computing and Immersive Technologies, University of Northampton, UK


Abstract




Traditionally computer sciences courses have been taught using laboratories full of expensive desktop computers. This approach may have been valid in the 80, 90’s and even the early part of this decade. This paper suggests that buying; maintaining and replacing laboratories full of computers are no longer a requirement. This paper raises the issues associated with such a ‘bold’ step, but offers potential solutions that, in some cases, may make Computer Science courses at such ‘brave’ institutions more appealing.


Proceedings can be found at: http://www.web-sustainablity.net/conference/GreenConferenceBook.pdf