Scalable Emulated Framework for IoT Devices in Smart Logistics based Cyber-Physical Systems: Bonded Coverage and Connectivity Analysis

In this research, scalable framework for Smart Logistics based Cyber-Physical System (SLCPS) is emulated for stable coverage and connectivity of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This work is modern manifestation of three laws of computing. Moore’s and Koomey’s laws recommend performance gain and energy efficiency whereas Metcalfe’s law imply network scalability. Combination of these laws suggests the research proposition that development of scalable and performance efficient IoT networks is inevitable. Although IoT has improved specific logistics modules considerably, but incorporation of IoT in complete supply chain of food and random placement of IoT devices due to which unstable coverage and connectivity occurred are major challenges in logistics. The proposed SLCPS framework is designed firstly, to develop apt IoT protocol stack for logistics. Secondly, for bonded connectivity and coverage, mathematical models are proposed instead of random placement and coverage map is based on binary coverage model. Thirdly, for scalability supply chain of food for smart logistics process is designed in terms of container, storehouse and warehouse comprising of varying number of IoT devices. The architecture of SLCPS framework has three modules i.e. internal IoT network, border router and external network, emulated in Cooja simulator. The contikimac protocol is used for efficient traffic flow and power consumption. Single hop, multiple hops and random IoT devices placement scenarios are used for results comparison and validation. The performance evaluation results, i.e. throughput, network convergence time, packet delivery ratio, average latency, power consumption and timeline investigation validated utilization of proposed framework in terms of enhanced network performance. Significance of proposed SLCPS framework results in cost minimization, reducing communication and computation overhead, resilience to IoT device failures and an interference free network connectivity and coverage. Coverage and connectivity are measure of quality of service in IoT network. Therefore, this research provided bonded coverage and connectivity in smart logistics using mathematical models. In addition, a baseline framework is provided for extended research in CPS and IoT applications.