IEEE International Workshop on Computer Aided Modeling and Design of Communication Links and Networks
11-13 September 2019 // Limassol, Cyprus

Keynotes

 

11-Sept. 2019

Title: The Growing Field of Forecasting: Achievements and Limitations

Speaker: Professor Spyros Makridakis, University of Nicosia, Director Institute For the Future (IFF)

 

Abstract: Forecasts are essential for practically all business decisions: From setting up appropriate inventory or service levels and credible budgets to evaluating long-term strategic investments. The first objective of the growing field of forecasting is to offer as accurate predictions as possible contributing to the success of such decisions. Its second, equally important one is to provide precise estimates of the uncertainty inherent in all predictions and be able to offer suggestions on how to deal with the resulting risks. This talk discusses the latest advancements in the field as well as its advantages and limitations and how firms can benefit the maximum by following its empirical findings and using the most appropriate methods, both statistical and machine learning, to achieve its two objectives.

Biography: Dr Spyros Makridakis is a Professor at the University of Nicosia where is also a director of the Institute For the Future (IFF) and Emeritus Professor at INSEAD. He has authored, or co-authored, twenty-two books and more than 250 articles. He was the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Forecasting and the International Journal of Forecasting and is the organizer of the M (Makridakis) Competitions, with his new M5 to start on January 5, 2020. (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=hPpgXPMAAAAJ&hl=en )

 

12-Sept. 2019

Title: An overview of standardization efforts of a Blockchain based OSS-BSS Platform

Speaker: Dr. Shahar Steiff, AVP – New Technologies, PCCW Global

Abstract: Blockchain is quickly gaining usage as an effective tool in multiple industry, government, academic and financial sectors. Its ability to offer immutability and trust, as well as its programmability, make it a natural choice for a growing number of use cases.
The majority of the use cases either involve a single entity or centralized management. As such the solutions can be proprietary and are developed and deployed by a single vendor. The ledger itself may be based on and open source platform (e.g. Ethereum) but the applications developed on top of that platform are proprietary. Interoperability between vendors and platforms remains a challenge. Software alone can not solve the interoperability obstacles which involve a multi-dimensional approach to Processes, Services and Architecture. The GLF has initiated an effort to standardize an architecture for a Blockchain based OSS/BSS platform that will adopt a modular approach and eliminate vendor lock-in. A task force consisting of representatives of vendors and telecom operators has been established and meets on regular intervals developing a reference architecture, an information model and an industry-wide process to deliver telecom services. The effort is expected to yield industry wide specifications that will be used by vendors to build towards, and for telecom operators to comply with. This creates an eco-system that allows vendors to complete on either specific modules or an entire solution and allows telecom operators to build an OSS/BSS platform either as an entire solution from a single vendor or as a collection of standards-based modules developed by multiple vendors.

Biography: Dr. Shahar Steiff has joined PCCW Global in 2001 and has served in various sales, pre-sales product development and management roles. In his current assignment Shahar explores the applicability of new technologies to PCCW Global’s current and future product portfolio. Shahar represents PCCW Global in numerous Standard bodies such as MEF, ITU-T, ETSI, NGMN and i3forum with focus on inter-carrier operation standardization. 
In recent years Shahar has been involved in several Blockchain initiatives in the telecom arena, including a successful PoC introducing Blockchain to wholesale voice settlements, and an initial study of the use of Blockchain in data-on-demand automation. In his role at the Technical team at the GLF blockchain sub committee, Shahar is currently leading standardization efforts on use of Blockchain to develop the future BSS/OSS platforms.

 

13-Sept. 2019

Title: Performance Control, Reliability and Security in Wireless Sensor Networks and the Internet of Things

Speaker: Dr. Vasos Vassiliou, Department of Computer Science, University of Cyprus

 

Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) concept has gained considerable importance in industry and academia in the last few years. The possibility of interconnecting a huge number of sensors and other devices allows the creation of various new applications. This is possible thanks to the advances in device technologies and communication protocols, which enable such interconnections. We consider Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) as a subset of the IoT, representing the type of networks that rely on mesh topologies and multi-hop communication. The communication pattern of many nodes transmitting data to one sink/gateway node poses unique challenges. Application or device misbehaviour at the protocol or network level can diminish or totally eliminate a network’s capacity to perform its intended function.
This talk will initially present a line of research that addresses performance control in WSNs by analysing causes of overload (usually congestion) and proposes three solutions based on alternative path creation. We will continue by identifying other parameters affecting reliability and we will devote considerable time discussing ways of detecting network-layer routing problems and other faults in WSNs and IoT networks. The talk will also present our current activities towards fault recovery using mobile node solutions.

 

Biography: Dr. Vasos Vassiliou is a member of the faculty at the Department of Computer Science of the University of Cyprus where he is co-directing the Networks Research Laboratory. He is also the Team Leader of the Smart Networked Systems Research Group at the newly established Centre on Interactive Media, Smart Systems and emerging Technologies (RISE). Dr. Vassiliou serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of CYNET, the National Research and Educational Network. He completed his undergraduate studies at the Higher Technical Institute (H.N.D in Electrical Engineering, 1993) and the University of South Florida (B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, 1997) and his postgraduate studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology (M.Sc. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1999, Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2002). His research interests lie in the areas of Protocol Design and Performance Control aspects of Networks; in particular: Internet of Things, Security, Mobility Management, QoS Adaptation and Control, and Resource Allocation and Management Techniques.