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Background/Objectives: Remote monitoring (RM) cardiac implantable electronic devices for adults delivers improved patient outcomes. However, previously used bedside transmitters are not optimal due to deficient patient adherence. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of RM regarding the connectivity of smartphone app-based solutions, adherence to scheduled automatic follow-ups, and prevalence of alert-based events. Methods: We evaluated the adult heart failure (HF) population with an implanted cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) divided into two arms: with app-based RM (abRM) and without app-based RM (control). Results: A total of 81 patients (median age of 69.0) were included in our study. Sixty-five patients received a CRT-D with abRM functionality, and sixteen did not. Twelve patients had no smartphone, and two provided no consent, resulting in their transfer to the control group. Finally, the abRM arm consisted of 51 patients, while 30 patients were in the control group. The median period of follow-up lasted 12 months. Among abRM patients, 98.0% successfully transmitted their first scheduled follow-up, and 80.4% were continuously monitored. Alert-based events were mainly related to arrhythmic events and device functionality with significantly shorter median times to notification (1 day vs. 101 days; p < 0.0001) in the abRM group. Conclusions: Our study showed a high level of compliance with timely initial transmission and adherence to scheduled remote follow-ups. Patient enrollment eligibility was a major challenge due to the limited accessibility of smartphones in the population. App-based RM demonstrated an accurate notification of events and patient-initiated transmissions in emergencies, regardless of location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of traffic monitoring systems provides rich traffic data from multiple sensors. Fuzing the data has the potential to enhance the quality of travel time estimation. It also provides better spatial-temporal coverage in traffic observations. However, each sensor's unique data collection process results in fusion challenges with respect to the coverage and data quality differences between various sources. These factors determine the degree of confidence that should be considered when fuzing different types of data. To this end, this paper proposes an adaptive weight-based fusion technique (ABAFT) that considers data spatial coverage and quality or confidence as the factors constructing the weight. The proposed ABAFT was tested using different scenarios on synthetic GPS and Bluetooth MAC Scanners data from an urban arterial corridor. The results show that the ABAFT can increase the travel time estimation accuracy by over 10%, and reliability by over 8% compared to the single sensor estimators. It also outperforms the simple average and standard-error-based fusion by around 4%. ABAFT is easy to be implemented on multiple sources of information available to transport agencies for a single point of truth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Forest planning involves estimating the biomass of species present in the area. Two fundamental parameters are diameter and height through which it is possible to indirectly estimate of biomass present. Digitalisation of forestry operations, such as forest planning, is crucial and should be affordable and easy-to-use digital applications and open-source devices. A digital progressive web application (PWA) was designed to record measurements. The app was connected via bluetoot to an open-source IoT digital forestry caliper prototyped by modifying a commercial tree caliper. An economic analysis was carried out considering all costs necessary for the development and operation of the app on smartphones and the preparation of electronic means for creation of the digital caliper. A comparison was made between costs of detecting tree diameters through application of the technology developed compared to costs calculated by applying the use of a dendrometric caliper (three technological levels were considered: L1, L2 and L3). The PWA allowed for easy data entry and viewing, maps and tree densities. The open-source digital caliper showed accuracy and precision comparable with similar commercial devices (1.5% ± 0.9% and 0.0% ± 0.9%, respectively). Total time per operator was lower using the digital caliper. From an economic perspective, application of the digital technology was more sustainable than the traditional system. Use of the digital caliper in combination with the web application optimizes detection time of a single tree, and therefore decreases overall cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's society, keeping our gardens attractive is complex, especially if you need more time to care for them. This can cause the plant to wilt if it is not watered occasionally to keep the soil moist. In summer, this problem tends to get worse because the temperature tends to rise and reach high degrees. The objective is to design an automatic and manual irrigation system with a humidity detector through hardware programming and free software to solve this. The necessary components will be identified and selected, humidity thresholds will be established, and the adoption of technologies such as internet of things (IoT), Arduino, and humidity sensors will be promoted to solve the problem in automated irrigation systems. The technical specifications of the components are described, and the circuit design is presented. A programming algorithm will be developed to control the frequency and duration of irrigation, as well as the state of the water pump. Implementing the automated system will allow precise water supply control, contributing to the healthy growth of plants and crops in green areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the performance at signalized intersections can be achieved through different management styles or sensor technologies. It is crucial that we measure the real-time impact of these variables on intersection performance. This study introduces a Bluetooth-based real-time performance measurement system applicable to all signalized intersections. Additionally, the developed method serves as a feedback tool for adaptive intersection management systems, providing valuable data input for performance optimization. The method developed in the study is applied at the Refik Cesur Intersection in the Polatlı district of Ankara where delay values are calculated based on traffic flows and data from Bluetooth sensors positioned at strategic locations. Initially, the intersection operated under a fixed-time signaling system, followed by a fully adaptive signaling system the next day. The performance of these two systems is compared using the Bluetooth-based application. The results show that the average delay per vehicle per day is 58.1 seconds/vehicle for the fixed-time system and 45.3 seconds/vehicle for the adaptive system. To validate the Bluetooth-based performance measurement system, the intersection is modeled and simulated using Aimsun Simulation Software Next 20.0.4. The simulation results confirm the findings of the Bluetooth-based analysis, demonstrating the effectiveness of the adaptive signaling system in reducing delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Mechanical switches have been the conventional way of controlling electrical energy in different electrical systems such as: lighting systems, socket systems, and circuit breakers, especially in domestic, hospital, and industrial applications. Mechanical switches often require physical access to control different electrical devices that are connected to the power sources. The work presented in this paper aimed at designing and simulating a multi-input based Exclusive-Or master switch system that remotely controls the lighting and socket systems using the wireless switching mechanisms of Global System for Mobile communication and Bluetooth. The system therefore limits physical interaction that require use of the single pole double throw and keypad mechanical switches that are however included to act as fall-back mechanism in control of electrical devices. Within the recommended electrical safety measures, the design can be streamlined and integrated to remotely control lighting systems and sockets alongside the conventional mechanical switches in the consumer control unit.

Background: The adoption of sixth generation (6G) networks is expected to revolutionize various sectors like health care by providing unprecedented data transfer capabilities and reliability. This transition is particularly applicable to real-time health monitoring where the speed and consistency of data transmission matters. Objective: The article explores the integration of Arduino Bluetooth modules, specifically the Bluetooth HC-05 module, with 6G technologies for betterment in remote health monitoring systems. By merging the ultra-reliable, low-latency communication (URLLC) characteristics of 6G with the relatively cheap and user-friendly nature of Arduino platforms, a more intelligent health monitoring system could be established. Methodology: The article proposes Arduino sensor modules with a 6G-based real-time uplink to transmit high-resolution biometric data. The study also uses machine learning and edge computing methodologies to improve data processing for patient diagnosis. Factors such as power usage, scalability, and network integration are thoroughly explored to reach a holistic strategy. Results: The results suggest that the use of Arduino Bluetooth and 6G together can enable much better monitoring of many categories in health metrics to meet very different patient profiles. In this collaboration, we are also going to include the two main things that need everyone's attention, data privacy and security. Moreover, the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing led to improved diagnoses and quicker responses. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the promise of Arduino Bluetooth for future healthcare monitoring over 6G networks, and serves as a benchmark toward such ends. It paves the way for cheaper, more available, and innovative healthcare options in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT) and beyond, transforming patient treatment.

Abstract Background Guidelines recommended remote monitoring (RM) in managing patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices. In recent years, smart device (phone or tablet) monitoring‐based RM (SM‐RM) was introduced. This study aims to systematically review SM‐RM versus bedside monitor RM (BM‐RM) using radiofrequency in terms of compliance, connectivity, and episode transmission time. Methods We conducted a systematic review, searching three international databases from inception until July 2023 for studies comparing SM‐RM (intervention group) versus BM‐RM (control group). Results Two matched studies (21 978 patients) were retrieved (SM‐RM arm: 9642 patients, BM‐RM arm: 12 336 patients). There is significantly higher compliance among SM‐RM patients compared with BM‐RM patients in both pacemaker and defibrillator patients. Manyam et al. found that more SM‐RM patients than BM‐RM patients transmitted at least once (98.1% vs. 94.3%, p

Pulse Detonation Engine has been a point of interest in the propulsion industry for some time and the interest has been rising due to its better output and results. But any system can perform its task efficiently based on the efficiency of its control system. In this paper we have presented a comparative study between multiple control systems- one based on Bluetooth technology, the other based on infrared sensor technology and one based on wired electrical system. For the wireless system, the signal received from either of the media is passed to the various sensors and systems connected through an Arduino board that further controls the solenoid valves and ignition system. Primarily, a control system circuit is developed using Arduino board and different sensors to connect the fuel supply and ignition system. In the next stage, Bluetooth sensors are connected using an android app and then an infrared sensor based system is integrated with the Arduino to control the engine and the performance of the two systems are compared. Whereas for wired system, every sub system is controlled through optical wires including the solenoid valves, the injection system and the sensors.

Smart-locks have become increasingly popular for access to homes and businesses in many countries, because of their ease of use and adaptability. These locks offer a simple and secure alternative to traditional key-based entry, making them an attractive choice for both residential and commercial properties. Nevertheless, it is essential to acknowledge the potential security threats that come with any new technology. The security of smart-locks is particularly critical, as a breach could result in unauthorized entry. Since the smart-locks can connect, there are different ways to check if vulnerabilities can be found easily or on the contrary, if the security level is high. Two of the main ways of checking the security level of this kind of IoT device are the information that can be obtained from the Android application and the security level of the Bluetooth connection. Many vulnerabilities can be found in the Android smart lock management application. This application is very useful to perform all the configurations with such a lock, but if it is not properly implemented and secured, it can provide clues for malicious users to perform unauthorized access to the system. Another security factor is the Bluetooth connection. This ensures that only authorized users have access to the property. In this work, we have analyzed the security level of different parts of smart-locks. In particular, we have analyzed the security of the applications for the most important smart-locks on the market. This study reveals relevant information such as whether the application is obfuscated or not, the encryption algorithm for the Bluetooth connection, or relevant URLs that applications use to connect to the cloud. The security of the Bluetooth connection between the smartphone application and two selected smart-locks was also analyzed. It was demonstrated that if no encryption is used for the Bluetooth connection, the smart-lock is not secure, but if AES encryption is used, the security level is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical energy has become a basic necessity today. As the population increases, the amount of electricity demand is also increasing. Therefore, many innovations are needed to meet these needs. One of the innovations in energy harvesting systems is the use of piezoelectricity. This research aims to create a piezoelectric-based running track prototype to produce environmentally friendly electrical energy. The arrangement of piezoelectric sensors used in this research is a parallel circuit. The research method used is the Research and Development method. The test results on the physical activities of walking, running, and jumping show that the prototype system that has been made has worked well and produces a fairly stable electric voltage even though it is still in a small amount. the difference in activity and body weight that presses the prototype produces different electric voltages. For walking activity, the prototype is able to produce a maximum voltage output of 0.83V, running activity has a maximum output of 5.83V and the maximum voltage output of jumping activity is 7.88V. The use of energy is done by storing the energy obtained from the piezoelectric in the battery, which can later be monitored directly by the voltage sensor, bluetooth module, HC-05, and RTC module the data will be sent to the cell phone so that the piezoelectric output voltage can be recorded and monitored. The electrical energy output generated by the piezoelectric is able to charge the battery and switch on the LED light at 2.5 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fields of indoor localization and positioning have seen extensive research in recent years. Their scientific soundness is of great importance, as information about an entity's location in indoor environments can lead to innovative services and products. Various techniques and frameworks have been proposed, some of which are already in practical use. This article emphasizes the value of indoor localization data and proposes the adoption of a new virtual field known as the 'Transactional Area Network' (TAN). By presenting a custom yet simple real-time, peer-to-peer (and therefore decentralized) software implementation that provides positioning information to users via their smart devices, this article demonstrates the potential value of TAN. Finally, it explores how TAN can increase the adoption rate of indoor positioning applications, enhance interactions between people in nearby locations and therefore amplify data generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Personal Audio Devices (PAD) are almost essential to access smartphones and tablets anywhere. Regular and prolonged noise exposure can cause gradual, irreversible damage to the sensory cells and other structures, leading to a permanent threshold shift (permanent hearing loss). The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and pattern of using Personal Audio Devices (PAD) and health problems related to them among medical undergraduates of a medical college in Maharashtra. Methodology: The present cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 413 respondents from June to July 2022. Data was collected using a pre-structured self-administered questionnaire presented in the format of Google Form (Online). Results: Most of the participants i.e. 176 (42.5%) were using Bluetooth devices for listening. The majority of the participants 148 (35.9%) had been using audio devices for the last 2-4 years. We found that 228 (55.3%) never used AD while driving. The study revealed that 132 (32%) students had started to have some difficulty in hearing, while 36 (8.7%) had pain, 34 (8.3%) had an itchy ear and 21 (5.1%) had mild deafness. Conclusion: Most of the participants were unaware of the safe use of audio devices and Students had already started experiencing ear-related problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, microwave filtering technologies have known great advancement and wide employment in wireless communication systems, necessitating the development of miniaturization techniques to respect the size limitation in wireless communication devices and reduce the cost, in order to satisfy the consumer and be more competitive. Accordingly, the design of a microwave filter is chosen based on its electrical performance, size, and manufacturing price. Therefore, it is necessary to make a good compromise between the mentioned criteria to satisfy the industrial requirements. This paper proposes a small and inexpensive bandpass filter (BPF), where the proposed structure is carefully constructed over a low-price FR4 Epoxy substrate with a full dimension of (17.6 × 9 × 1.6) mm3. The proposed filter offers good electrical performance in terms of reflection coefficient (S11), insertion loss (S21), Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), and selectivity. A filter prototype is fabricated and tested to affirm the simulation results. Consequently, the measured results show a good agreement with the simulation, proving the suitability of the proposed filter for different wireless applications, including WLAN, Bluetooth, ZigBee, RFID, and ISM bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor location services often use Bluetooth low energy (BLE) devices for their low energy consumption and easy implementation. Applications like device monitoring, ranging, and asset tracking utilize the received signal strength (RSS) of the BLE signal to estimate the proximity of a device from the receiver. However, in multipath environments, RSS-based solutions may not provide an accurate estimation. In such environments, receivers with antenna arrays are used to calculate the difference in time of flight (ToF) and therefore calculate the direction of arrival (DoA) of the Bluetooth signal. Other techniques like triangulation have also been used, such as having multiple transmitters or receivers as a network of sensors. To find a lost item, devices like Tile© use an onboard beeper to notify users of their presence. In this paper, we present a system that uses a single-measurement device and describe the method of measurement to estimate the location of a BLE device using RSS. A BLE device is configured as an Eddystone beacon for periodic transmission of advertising packets with RSS information. We developed a smartphone application to read RSS information from the beacon, designed an algorithm to estimate the DoA, and used the phone's internal sensors to evaluate the DoA with respect to true north. The proposed measurement method allows for asset tracking by iterative measurements that provide the direction of the beacon and take the user closer at every step. The receiver application is easily deployable on a smartphone, and the algorithm provides direction of the beacon within a 30° range, as suggested by the provided results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless short-range communication has become widespread in the modern era, partly due to the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technology. This technology is now utilized in various sectors, including lighting, medical, and industrial applications. This article aims to examine the historical, present, and forthcoming advancements in wireless short-range communication. Additionally, the review will analyze the modifications made to communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, RFID and NFC, in order to better accommodate modern applications. Batteryless technology, particularly batteryless NFC, is an emerging development in short-range wireless communication that combines power and data transmission into a single carrier. This modification will significantly influence the trajectory of short-range communication and its applications. The foundation of most low-power, short-range communication applications relies on an ultra-low-power microcontroller. Therefore, this study will encompass an analysis of ultra-low-power microcontrollers and an investigation into the potential limitations they might encounter in the future. In addition to offering a thorough examination of current Wireless short-range communication, this article will also attempt to forecast future patterns and identify possible obstacles that future research may address. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless time synchronization is one of the most important services in a wireless sensor network (WSN). Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are often used in these WSNs in healthcare-related treatments. We present a low-power, wirelessly synchronized multi-IMU platform. The proposed approach synchronously captures packets from different IMUs and transmits the data over Bluetooth low energy (BLE) to a central data capturing unit (DCU). The contribution of this letter is, rather than focussing on the highest possible accuracy, to provide a low-power accurate enough solution for use in a multi-IMU WSN. We examine key factors affecting synchronization accuracy and elaborate on the implementation challenges. An accuracy of sub $1~\mathrm {\mu }\text{s}$ can be achieved with the approach using 74.8 $\text{J}\mathrm {\mathbf {h^{-1}}}$ of energy, while a power-optimized implementation is presented with an accuracy of $200~\mathrm {\mu }\text{s}$ and an energy consumption of only 198 mJ $\mathrm {\mathbf {h^{-1}}}$. This approach suits the required accuracy and low-power requirements for a multi-IMU system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional methods of watering plants based on timers have been shown to be wasteful when compared to sensor based watering. While sensor based irrigation systems do exist, current implementations are both costly and needlessly complex. Our goal was to design an irrigation sensor system is cheap, easy to implement, and saves more water than traditional watering systems. Our approach was to create a sensor node network that is both reliable and cost effective when installing it. With this approach we were able to create a dependable tree like sensor network that could read moisture data from soil and have it visualized in an Android application. In regards to our Android application, we were able to implement features such as sensor calibration in order to obtain accurate readings. Our tree like network was also able to be consistent in being able to send data packets back and forth with each sensor having a reach of up to 100 meters and being able to have a total of 3125 radio modules in use. In conclusion we were able to create a reliable and cost effective irrigation system that could be used for both farms and home gardens. We were able to meet our initial goals which were to create an user friendly application that could be used to read and visualize data as well creating a sensor network that is low-power and is low cost.  Advisor: Professor Sitao Huang, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Indoor location services often use Bluetooth low energy (BLE) devices for their low energy consumption and easy implementation. Applications like device monitoring, ranging, and asset tracking utilize the received signal strength (RSS) of the BLE signal to estimate the proximity of a device from the receiver. However, in multipath environments, RSS-based solutions may not provide an accurate estimation. In such environments, receivers with antenna arrays are used to calculate the difference in time of flight (ToF) and therefore calculate the direction of arrival (DoA) of the Bluetooth signal. Other techniques like triangulation have also been used, such as having multiple transmitters or receivers as a network of sensors. To find a lost item, devices like Tile© use an onboard beeper to notify users of their presence. In this paper, we present a system that uses a single-measurement device and describe the method of measurement to estimate the location of a BLE device using RSS. A BLE device is configured as an Eddystone beacon for periodic transmission of advertising packets with RSS information. We developed a smartphone application to read RSS information from the beacon, designed an algorithm to estimate the DoA, and used the phone’s internal sensors to evaluate the DoA with respect to true north. The proposed measurement method allows for asset tracking by iterative measurements that provide the direction of the beacon and take the user closer at every step. The receiver application is easily deployable on a smartphone, and the algorithm provides direction of the beacon within a 30° range, as suggested by the provided results.

Abstract Pressure monitoring in various organs of the body is essential for appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In almost all situations, monitoring is performed in a hospital setting. Technological advances not only promise to improve clinical pressure monitoring systems, but also engage toward the development of fully implantable systems in ambulatory patients. Such systems would not only provide longitudinal time monitoring to healthcare personnel, but also to the patient who could adjust their way-of-life in response to the measurements. In the past years, we have developed a new type of piezoresistive pressure sensor system. Different bench tests have demonstrated that it delivers precise and reliable pressure measurements in real-time. The potential of this system was confirmed by a continuous recording in a patient that lasted for almost a day. In the present study, we further characterized the functionality of this sensor system by conducting in vivo implantation experiments in nine female farm pigs. To get a step closer to a fully implantable system, we also adapted two different wireless communication solutions to the sensor system. The communication protocols are based on MICS (Medical Implant Communication System) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication. As a proof-of-concept, implantation experiments in nine female pigs demonstrated the functionality of both systems, with a notable technical superiority of the BLE.