On the applications of big data and wireless technologies for smart cities

未来的互联城市将依靠分布在广大地理区域的传感器和计算机无线网络来收集信息并与物理世界互动。预计它们将为公司、公民、医院等带来重大利益，为他们提供更多的知识以作出明智的决定，并为更容易获得服务提供统一的门户。然而，这样的智慧城市面临着一些挑战，在它们被广泛采用之前必须加以解决。该研究项目将重点关注智慧城市的两个重要方面：如何有效地分析它们产生的大量数据，以及如何保护它们免受各种攻击。具体来说，研究将分为我们与工业合作伙伴确定的三个子项目：1)设计算法来识别收集的所有数据中的兴趣点，可以在合理的时间内分析大量此类数据；2)确保无线网络的弹性，防止攻击者试图破坏其运行；3)确保无线信息传输的端到端安全性。对于第一部分，我们计划研究和开发能够识别这些信息中的兴趣点的算法，并分析在修改搜索约束时速度和准确性之间存在的权衡。然后，对于第二部分和第三部分，我们将探索对无线网络的潜在攻击以及通过无线网络传输的数据，以确保我们的工业合作伙伴的平台在短期内是安全的，并且在他们将基础设施迁移到第五代无线网络后将继续保持安全。总的来说，这项研究将有利于整个加拿大的智慧城市。这将提高他们的效率、应变能力和安全性，从而改善加拿大人的生活。

Future connected cities will rely on wireless networks of sensors and computers, distributed throughout large geographical areas, to collect information and interact with the physical world. They are expected to bring significant benefits to companies, citizens, hospitals and many more, by providing them additional knowledge to make informed decisions, and unified portals for easier access to services.However, such Smart Cities face several challenges that must be addressed before they can reach widespread adoption. This research project will focus on two important aspects of Smart Cities: how to efficiently analyze the vast amounts of data they produce, and how to secure them against various attacks. Specifically, the research will be divided into three sub-projects that we have identified with our industrial partner: 1) designing algorithms to identify points of interest in all the data collected, that can analyze large amounts of such data in reasonable time, 2) ensuring the resilience of wireless networks against attackers that attempt to disrupt their operation, and 3) ensuring the end-to-end security of over-the-air information transmissions.For the first part, we plan to research and develop algorithms that can identify points of interest in this information, and analyze the trade-off that exists between speed and accuracy as we modify search constraints. Then, for the second and third parts, we will explore potential attacks on wireless networks and the data that is transmitted through them, to ensure that our industrial partner's platform is secure in the short term, and will continue to be secure once they migrate their infrastructure to fifth-generation wireless networks.Overall, this research will benefit Smart Cities throughout Canada. It will improve their efficiency, resilience and security, so that they can in turn improve the lives of Canadians.