Sustainable Computing and Communications

Internet Broadband Network of Things Applied to Intelligent Education

Y. Iano

, I. T. Lima

, H. J. Loschi

, T. C. Lustosa

, O. S. Mesquita

and A. Moretti

Department of Communications, State University of Campinas, Av. Albert Einstein, 400. Campinas-SP, Brazil

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Dakota State University

1411 Centennial Blvd, ECE 101E, Fargo, ND, U.S.A.

Keywords: Smart Cities, Internet of Things, Intelligent Education and Broadband.

Abstract: Intelligent cities may be defined as territories characterized by a high capacity of learning and innovation,

comprising in its structure the “Internet of Things”, developing, therefore, the creativity of its population, its

institutions of knowledge generation and its digital infrastructures to communication and management of the

knowledge. This structure has a great performance in the role of digital inclusion, allowing the possibilities

to integration, social well-being promotion (e-inclusion), supplementary education (internet toward software

application with great capacity to education) or in distant (e-learning) and professional development.

Multimedia communication, it may reach the most remote points and be available full-time, benefiting, in

addition, students with deficiencies and walking limitation to go to school, or with special needs of

differentiate teaching to educational development, creating and promoting the intelligent education. The

main Target to develop this study is to present a solution to network service bandwidth, considers media

world speed and projects the implementation of GPON (Gigabyte-capable Passive Optical Networks)

technology in access optical networks in the Brazil. Presenting an outcome comparison analysis obtained

from the project performed to implement in Holambra city, São Paulo, Brazil, relating to the perspectives

and standards of connectivity in the use of broadband networks in the world, showing the viability in the use

of such modern technologies in the GPON broadband.

1 INTRODUCTION

The new forms of knowledge need a suitable

broadband network connection. Digital activism has

reached the streets in cities all over the world, and

much of its proliferation took place through social

networks disclosure (Gorshe et al. 2014) (Lekamge

& Marasinghe 2013). Recent past has revealed that

people have new forms of organizing themselves,

either in teaching institution, in clubs, in open

spaces, etc. Applications such as Facebook, Twitter,

YouTube and WhatsApp, collect and send data in

real time and help to improve considerably the

aspects of modalities (Saad & Khan 2013).

Public environment are entirely responsible for

the evolution of its citizen. As we understand better

the behavior of the citizen from the intellectuality

extracted from collected data, for example, through

social networks, public architecture shall become

more communicative and provides better conditions

of connectivity and intelligent education (Fortino &

Trunfio 2014) (Jin et al. 2014). In this context

motivating, intelligent education is characterized by

the change of the educational environment,

generating individualized, active, flexible and

collaborative learning, with frequents use of tables

and applications and digital contents, that is what we

can call them up school without walls (Imrattanatrai

et al. 2014) (Majumder & Saha 2014).

Technological advance has changed computational

capacity and expanded the possibilities to be use and

applications to a horizon of immeasurable

perspective when everything is connected properly

and efficiently (McEwen & Cassimally 2013)

(Guinard et al. 2011).

Intelligent city presents as one of its features the

connectivity and communication between the several

devices (Jin et al. 2014). This ability allows us to

understand the contents and behaviors of people,

process information and share data in real time,

allowing a better use of resources. The way the

350

Iano Y., T. Lima I., J. Loschi H., C. Lustosa T., S. Mesquita O. and Moretti A..

Sustainable Computing and Communications - Internet Broadband Network of Things Applied to Intelligent Education.

DOI: 10.5220/0005447303500356

In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Smart Cities and Green ICT Systems (SMARTGREENS-2015), pages 350-356

ISBN: 978-989-758-105-2

 2015 SCITEPRESS (Science and Technology Publications, Lda.)

distribution of digital content and education must go

through a revolution as profound as the industrial

revolution and the multimedia industry has recently

suffered (Pfister 2011) (Downton 2008).

In the context an example of this constant change

in network traffic management systems, the

evolution of new models of sensors (inductive,

position, capacitive, magnetic field, ultrasonic,

photoelectric, identification, positioning, vision,

security, etc.) and the network infrastructure

allowing a better quality of the connections as well

as their management through the routers that connect

networks in the cities (Gaglio & Re 2014). This

fulfills the need for adequate connectivity applied to

smart education in line with the changes in more

flexible structures (Perera & Zaslavsky 2014)

(Bessis et al. 2012).

To allow this kind of behavior, you need to

invest more in networks and high-performance

equipment, so in our study we use the GPON

technology, a concept of smart cities, enabling better

connectivity of users to a smart education

environment.

The motivation to develop this study is to present

a solution to network service higher bandwidth at

the best rate recorded worldwide (Thompson et al.

2014). This solution considers media world speed

and projects the implementation of GPON

technology in this scenario.

After analysis in previous studies (Mesquita et al.

2013) updated and expanded deployments recent

information these networks, comparing trends of

these technologies applied to Internet of Shings

Worldwide, focused on smart education (Oliveira

2014).

2 BROADBAND

TECHNOLOGIES IN BRAZIL

Current broadband technologies have impairments

regarding the features in its architecture. Finding

architecture with a suitable solution may be a

thorough engineering project, wherein we have to

take into account many interfaces and factors that

are engaged on the study. Decisions must be taken

with certain care so that the network cost is not out

of financial provisions and hinder its

implementation, being, thus, necessary to consider

characteristics of some network technologies

(Gorshe et al. 2014) (Mesquita et al. 2013).

We may mention PON (Passive Optical

Network) comprising the EPON (Ethernet Passive

Optical Network) or GPON network (Gorshe et al.

2014).

Such equipment technologies are

commercialized in a wide range with definite

parameters. Among the main manufactures and

researchers of such technologies, we can highlight:

CPQD (Centro de Pesquisas e Desenvolvimento em

Telecomunicações | Research Center and

Development in Telecommunication), Padtec

(Produtos de Alto Desafio Tecnológico | High

Technological Challenge Products) e CIANET

(Mesquita et al. 2013).

In GPON networks comparing to EPON, we

have:

Advantages

 They are run in different rates of

downstream and upstream;

 • They work in various transceivers systems

with low cost, low maintenance and a

network of easy operation and maintenance

together with competitive costs of

equipment;

 Can take advantages from the laser ONT

decrease in the costs when asymmetrically

set.

 Warranties of interoperability with ONT

(Optical Network termination) with a

management standard in the service level.

Disadvantages

 Complexity in their encapsulation model

layers;

 Ethernet / GEM / GTC have a very

complex management;

 It is more expansive when compared in

comparable rates with EPON technologies.

Due to advances and evolutions of studies in

these technologies, it is possible to be found in

scientific documents enhanced parameters regarding

the aforementioned, that has been exceeded

continuously for academic experimental work

(Mesquita et al. 2013).

3 EVOLUTION OF THE SPEED

OF THE BROADBAND

NETWORKS

In the technological framework and broadband

services recent studies disclose the "State of the

Internet" report that lists the average speed of the

fixed Internet connections of each country in the

world in megabytes per second (Mbps). In 136

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countries evaluated, the global average is 4,6Mbps,

so the global average connection speed had a

significant growth in the second quarter of 2014,

increasing 21% and passing well of 4Mbps the first

time (Thompson et al. 2014).

On a global scale, the fastest Internet in the

world is South Korea with an average speed of

24,6Mbps followed by Japan (14,9Mbps),

Netherlands (14,3Mbps), Hong Kong (15,7Mbps),

Switzerland (14,9Mbps), Czech Republic

(12,6Mbps), Sweden (13,6Mbps), Ireland

(12,6Mbps) and United States (11,4Mbps)

(Thompson et al. 2014). See the complete data in

Figure 1:

The numbers are disappointing in relation to

Brazil, which is in 84th position in the ranking. The

national average speed of the Internet in Brazil is

2,9Mbps, for the last three months of 2014. In the

analysis Brazil was the smallest country to increase

the average speed in the measured period, an

acceleration of only 0,2%. Reflecting a decrease of

four positions in the world ranking (Thompson et al.

2014).

The speed is constantly increasing among the ten

countries with the highest average speed of the

internet, however it is important to highlight the

Uruguay as the country with the highest annual

growth rate that consists of 197% thus reaching the

average speed 5,6Mbps (Thompson et al. 2014).

Figure 1: Average internet speed fixed broadband world (Thompson et al. 2014)

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4 DEVELOPMENTS OF THE

GPON PROJECT

Project was based on a Telecommunication

infrastructure consisting in a mixed network of

optical fiber and radio projected to an urban area that

has a relief differentiation, i.e., straight part and high

part that will be integrated by GPON technologies to

attend ten (10) points. 80% of the network will be

attended by optical fiber and 20% with radio

network in Wifi technology. The remote points will

be attended with a transferring rate of 300 Mbps,

aiming to attend close to 100% of the project

(Gorshe et al. 2014) (Mesquita et al. 2013).

The infrastructure of these technological

solutions is the next-generation to attend the

educational institutions who want to use

technologies such as: Broadband Internet, Video

Conferencing, VoIP (Voice over IP), CCTV (Closed

Circuit of TV), IPTV, distance learning through an

integrated solution of high capacity based on

innovative technology of networks that is the focus

of this work. In this project, we have a distribution

of network to attend clients of the chosen test bed

(Gorshe et al. 2014) (Mesquita et al. 2013).

From a financial point of view we have to take

into account equipment costs and physical facilities

to be carried out, for this investment Capex concept

was used that joints the cost of capital, also known

as fixed assets; and for the installation operations,

network maintenance and skilled labor, used the

Opex concept, which includes variable expenses,

unfixed, called passive (Mesquita et al. 2013).

To the ROI (Return of Investment) we will use

further the Payback calculations. The total

investment of this project is composed of the

network infrastructure of optical fiber and radio,

included the civil works and the acquisition of all

Epon or GPON equipment, since these devices are

not equivalent in terms of performance and cost

(Gorshe et al. 2014) (Mesquita et al. 2013).

We also take into account the need to carry

equipment inventory to be sold to customers to

receive the signal of the technologies under study. In

every project we have to have a preparation of an

investment proposal, where our goal is to seek

product innovation to pent-up demand solutions for

broadband in the whole country (Gorshe et al. 2014)

(Mesquita et al. 2013).

To the investment project assessment Method:

The value of a company depends on its future cash

flow. Thinking about this matter, we elaborated the

Figure 2 with comparison of the initial investment of

the technologies in study (Gorshe et al. 2014)

(Mesquita et al. 2013).

Figure 2: Sales estimate for project implementation.

Making analysis of GPON solution, we found that

the GPON network solutions can integrate a

complete architecture of broadband services, which

can be designed to meet the fixed-mobile network

convergence requirements, thus offering resources

that can support the broadband access and, in this

item, we have the next-generation services and

connections, allocating resources through OLT

(Optical Line Termination), network converters,

posts for receiving switch, splitter, network cables

(fiber, coaxial network cable RG11, cat network

cable. 5) splitters and ONU (Optical Network

Unit)performance functions of multimedia

conversion (Gorshe et al. 2014).

The data that makes up the prices are relative:

the optical network to GPON equipment and the

funding for project implementation.

It was planned to carry out the deployment Pops

10 (Points of Presence), each of which is composed

of Pop central and terminal equipment. The amounts

used are hypothetical, close to reality. The project

composition also had to estimate indirect costs

consist of expenses: the need to contract for labor

(vendors, operators, attendants), product marketing,

advertising and media. These expenses are necessary

to start the operation of the network when deploying

on call service (Mesquita et al. 2013).

For a real analysis, it is necessary to obtain the

values of each equipment performing a RFP

(Request For Proposal), which is the RFP performed

through a process executed by the contracting

company, so that potential suppliers can tender

business with at least three (3) equipment suppliers

(Mesquita et al. 2013).

It is important to highlight that for the technological

development of the country, both the private sector

and the government should be aligned in the search

for digital inclusion as well as the industry's

innovation. In the project, we elaborated a table of

the total value of the network where the investor can

immediately view the disbursement of Capex and

Opex for both active and passive systems. The total

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value of the investment addressed in the composition

of the initial investment Figure 2 presented the

following data for analysis: Capex for investment

and Opex for equipment maintenance, (we use

standard 10% value). The table 1 shows an

investment analysis considering the values for

decision making using the concept of PAYBACK

and VPL (Net Present Value). (Gorshe et al. 2014)

(Mesquita et al. 2013).

The Figures 3 and 4, respectively present a

comparison between the costs involving revenue

generated and fixed expenses of EPON and GPON

projects (Mesquita et al. 2013).

Figure 3: EPON_Receipts x Expenses.

Figure 4: GPON_Receipts x Expenses.

5 ASSESSMENT OF THE

OUTCOMES

Total costs of an fixed Internet service available by

an International provider involves three shares

related to the following stages (

Oliveira, Á., 2014):

 GPON access network;

 Main trunk link that connects the access

network to the router at the nearest

providing international station;

Table 1: Investment analysis of technology EPON and GPON.

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 Interconnection of the international

provider to the router linked to the

backbone of the global Internet.

The price for the service mentioned above is

USD 7.115,00 monthly for a real and constant

transfer rate of 10Gbps. It is worth saying that the

approximate price per Mbps is USD 0,7115 monthly

(

Oliveira, Á., 2014).

Given the growing interest in video streaming 4k

("Ultra HD") it becomes important reference it with

a metric. It is known that the ultra HD video content

has adaptive bit rate, thus requiring the transmission

of your data in a broadband service that provides

enough bandwidth for the actual speed between 10

and 20Mbps (Thompson et al. 2014).

6 FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

It is being developed an analysis proposal to the

implementation of a new architecture of intelligent

cities with a network to support the demand of

around 30.000 users. The study will be based on the

project developed and planned by VIVO mobile

phone company in the city of Águas de São Pedro,

State of São Paulo, and by the city hall of the city of

Rio de Janeiro where there is an integration project

of the Marvelous City. At first in our analysis

proposal, we chose UNICAMP (Figure 6, included

in the appendix) (Federal University of Campinas).

7 CONCLUSIONS

The available real transfer rate of 40Mbps (Mesquita

et al. 2013) has a purchasing value of USD 30,12

monthly since the 1Mbps speed matches the monthly

fee of US$ 0,7115, so there is the viability of the

broadband Internet service in these parameters

(

Oliveira, Á., 2014)..

The highest average speed of the world

broadband fixed Internet consists of 24,6Mbps

referring to the country of South Korea, thus we

overcome in capacity and quality the

aforementioned speed with the proposal made viable

at constant rate, i.e., not shared at 40Mbps. This last

case study enables, among other 100% guaranteed

flow of data with video content 4k emerging interest

which is not necessarily the case with Internet South

Korea that has world supremacy as the average

speed of Internet as to fully the ultra hd video traffic

requires a broadband Internet service that provides at

least a constant rate of 20Mbps. It is important to

remember that only our case study made possible

offers constant speed against the other only

guarantee the average rate of data transfer. See the

Figure 5 showing comparative analysis of the case

study with Akamai data (Thompson et al. 2014).

Figure 5: Comparison analysis.

Internet of things allows multimedia resources,

classes and conferences on distance, turning this

way the learning easier, including in a more

interactive and didactic way. Expenditures for

transporting the student and the teachers are

considerably reduced this way.

Students’ safety is intensified. Time saving is

sharp. These are some of the resources and

advantages that an intelligent city provided thought a

broadband network with more capacity and quality,

suitable for the connectivity for the internet of

things.

In this context, this innovative form of rational

use that takes hold of all the resources of the

available technology aiming to improve teaching,

characterizes what we can define as intelligent

education.

Digital inclusion brings numerous possibilities

for integration, promotion of social well-being (e-

inclusion), supplementary education (internet toward

software application with great capacity to education

and to e-learning) and professional development of

the students. The new educational trends include

digital technology to provide better training and

more appropriate qualifications for education.

The former view of teacher on the board or only

textbook, no longer meets the expectations and the

new way of learning in this generation, totally

dependent on the use of multimedia and the ability

to access to the internet of things. With the evolution

of telecommunications networks and the

implementation of optical fiber networks in urban

and rural access, we can improve education.

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The effective application of these technologies

depends on techno-economic factors where often the

financial interests go beyond the actual demand.

We conclude that a scenario of the best

investments and costs of broadband network

implementation becomes more convenient to the use

of the GPON equipment due to investment values

and more attractive costs.

The applications of broadband current

technologies are essential and necessary for the

citizens, especially the distance education. This

work aims to contribute to the discussion the

creation of new mechanisms and methods to be

developed in order to facilitate access to quality and

speed to broadband services.

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APPENDIX

Figure 6: Unicamp University City Area.

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