We review the current applications of photonic technologies to Smart Cities. Inspired
by the future needs of Smart Cities, we then propose potential applications of advanced
photonic technologies. We find that photonics already has a major impact on Smart
Cities, in terms of smart lighting, sensing, and communication technologies. We further
find that advanced photonic technologies could lead to vastly improved infrastructure,
such as smart water‐supply systems. We conclude by proposing directions for future
research that will have the greatest impact on realizing Smart City initiatives.
During the past two decades there has been a substantial growth in research in
wireless communications. The number of journals published from various parts of
the world catering to the research community has grown exponentially. Despite
such a growth, the engineering community still needs more information so as to
thoroughly comprehend wireless channel characteristics. What specifically must be
understood are the effects of channel degradation brought on by statistical fluctua-
tions in the channel.
Providing QoS while optimizing the LTE network in a cost efficient manner is
very challenging. Thus, radio scheduling is one of the most important functions
in mobile broadband networks. The design of a mobile network radio scheduler
holds several objectives that need to be satisfied, for example: the scheduler needs
to maximize the radio performance by efficiently distributing the limited radio re-
sources, since the operator’s revenue depends on it.
Ever since ancient times, people continuously have devised new techniques and
technologies for communicating their ideas, needs, and desires to others. Thus,
many forms of increasingly complex communication systems have appeared
over the years. The basic motivations behind each new one were to improve the
transmission fidelity so that fewer errors occur in the received message, to
increase the transmission capacity of a communication link so that more infor-
mation could be sent, or to increase the transmission distance between relay sta-
tions so that messages can be sent farther without the need to restore the signal
fidelity periodically along its path.
Communication has been one of the deepest needs of the human race throughout recorded
history. It is essential to forming social unions, to educating the young, and to expressing a
myriad of emotions and needs. Good communication is central to a civilized society.
The various communication disciplines in engineering have the purpose of providing technological
aids to human communication. One could view the smoke signals and drum rolls of primitive
societies as being technological aids to communication, but communication technology as we
view it today became important with telegraphy, then telephony, then video, then computer
communication, and today the amazing mixture of all of these in inexpensive, small portable
devices.
The use of mobile devices now surpasses that of traditional computers: wireless
users will hence soon be demanding the same rich multimedia services on their
mobile devices that they have on their desktop personal computers. In addition,
new services will be added, especially related with their mobile needs, such as
location-based information services.
The ability to analyze system or circuit behavior is one of the key requirements for
successful design. To put an idea to work, a designer needs both the knowledge
and tools for analyzing the behavior of that new system architecture or that experi-
mental circuit topology. Design decisions are grounded on the results obtained from
analysis.
This effort started as an answer to the numerous questions the authors have
repeatedly had to answer about electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and
input/output (1/0) designs. In the past no comprehensive book existed suffi-
ciently covering these areas, and these topics were rarely taught in engineering
schools. Thus first-time I/O and ESD protection designers have had consider-
able trouble getting started. This book is in part an answer to such needs.
This text, ESD Basics: From Semiconductor Manufacturing to Product Use was initiated on
the need to produce a text that addresses fundamentals of electrostatic discharge from the
manufacturing environment to today’s products. As the manufacturing world evolves, semi-
conductor networks scale, and systems are changing, the needs and requirements for reliabi-
lity and ESD protection are changing. A text is required that connects basic ESD phenomena
to today’s real world environment.
A revolution in power industries, including generation, transmission and distribution, driven by
environmental and economic considerations, is taking place all over the world. The smart grid allows for
integration of diverse generation and storage options, reduced losses, improved efficiencies, increased
grid flexibility, reduced power outages, allowing for competitive electricity pricing and integration of
electric vehicles and overall becoming more responsive to market, consumer and societal needs. It is
bringing profound changes to both power systems and many related industries.
