The 9th IEEE International Conference on Dependable Systems, Services and Technologies, DESSERT’2018
24-27 May, 2018, Kyiv, Ukraine
Edge Computing for IoT:
An Educational Case Study
Anatoly Plakhteyev 1, Artem Perepelitsyn 2, Vyacheslav Frolov 3
1, 2, 3
National Aerospace University “KhAI”, Chkalov str. 17, 61070 Kharkiv, Ukraine
a.plahteev@csn.khai.edu 1, a.perepelitsyn@khai.edu 2, slava.frolov777@gmail.com 3
Abstract— For IoT, along with Cloud, Fog, Dew, Edge
computing is important, that provides aggregation and data
processing from sensor networks and individual devices
related to the physical world. Increasing of productivity of
boundary network nodes can significantly reduce data ac-
cess delays, traffic, and bandwidth of Internet access chan-
nels. A lot of network interfaces and protocols IoT make it
difficult to develop and debug applications, require the tools
for rapid prototyping of network fragments and project-
oriented methods for training developers. The approach to
the creation of such tools and the allocation of training
projects of varying complexity are proposed.
Keywords— IoT, edge computing, sensor network,
boundary node, Ethernet, WiFi, router
I. INTRODUCTION
Cloud technologies implement a variety of IoT ser-
vices for storage, data processing and remote access
(Amazon Web Services IoT Platform, Microsoft Azure
IoT Hub, Google Cloud IoT, IBM Watson IoT Platform,
CISCO IoT Cloud Connect, ThingSpeak, etc.). This sim-
plifies the development of applications for IoT. But these
technologies have a lot of disadvantages [1]. There are
restrictions on the intensity of the data flow for storage in
the Cloud stores and a significant delay in access to these
data. For a growing number of IoT sites the permanent
access to the Internet is required. Also the increasing of
bandwidth is needed. It prevents the use of Cloud tech-
nologies in real-time management systems and critical
appointments. Excessive traffic arising in the process of
access to remote resources causes increasing energy costs
and the cost of access to information.
The solution is to approach resources to their con-
sumers. Consequently, Fog computing [2-5], and then
Dew computing [6] have appeared.
The IoT feature is the importance of the level bounda-
ry interaction of TCP/IP – oriented components and ser-
vices with sensor networks (SN) and individual devices –
stationary, mobile, moveable (EDGE computing). This
level of interaction is difficult for formalizing because of
variety of devices types, interfaces, network protocols,
numerous vulnerabilities and strong requirements to
power of IoT devices. Acquiring necessary skills for
building the boundary level of IoT is the pressing chal-
lenge of training specialists in networking technologies.
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II. EDGE COMPUTING
Edge computing describes a computing topology in
which information processing and content collection and
delivery are placed closer to the sources of this infor-
mation. Connectivity and latency challenges, bandwidth
constraints and greater functionality embedded at the
edge favors distributed models.
While it’s common to assume that cloud and edge
computing are competing approaches, it’s a fundamental
misunderstanding of the concepts. Edge computing
speaks to a computing topology that places content, com-
puting and processing closer to the user/things or “edge”
of the networking. Cloud is a system where technology
services are delivered using internet technologies, but it
does not dictate centralized or decentralized service de-
livering services. When implemented together, cloud is
used to create the service-oriented model and edge com-
puting offers a delivery style that allows for executions of
disconnected aspects of cloud service [7].
Edge computing is closely related to heterogeneous
sensor networks. They consist of nodes with sensors,
actuators and provide communication with the physical
world. At the level of sensory networks, the nodes of the
boundary interaction occupy an important place.
III. INTERACTION OF END DEVICES WITH IOT
In Figure 1 the general scheme of the interconnection
of nodes of sensor networks (SN), individual devices
(Dev), sensors (S), actuators (A) is showed. At the Edge,
Dew, Fog, Cloud (Cloudlet) levels, the state of S and A is
represented by digital copies (Digital Twin).
Sensor networks can be wired and wireless. The most
popular networks are Ethernet, RS485 and similar, CAN,
LIN, etc. Wireless networks can be proprietary in the
ISM bands 315, 433, 868 MHz, as well as 2.4 GHz net-
works based on the IEEE802.15.4 standard (ZigBee,
6LoWPAN, etc.) ), IEEE802.15.1 (Bluetooth v.2 .. 5),
IEEE802.11 (WiFi). Low-speed sensor networks in in-
dustry and home automation are combined using high-
speed interfaces - Ethernet, WiFi. In fact, a heterogeneous
network is formed, where it is necessary to provide ac-
cess to various nodes in each network and their intercon-
nectivity. Boundary nodes are bridges (gateways) be-
tween segments of sensor networks [8,9].
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 Thus, the IoT fragment can be represented as a hierar-
chical structure from a variety of disparate sensor net-
works SN = {SN1, SN2, ... SNi, ...}. Each network con-
sists of a set of nodes: SNi = {Ni, 1, ..., Ni, j, ...} connect-
ed by the network communication interface Ci from the
set C = {C1, C2, ...}, by the protocol Pi from set P = {P1,
P2, ...}. The Ni, j node serves a set of sensors (S) and
actuators (A). To implement the functions of the node a
microcontroller platform MCUi, j is used that has a net-
work interface Ci, as well as analog and digital interfaces,
that form data streams from sensors S and for controlling
actuators A. Networks are designed to collect data from
sensors primary processing, accumulation, presentation in
some form (indication, sound, video, etc.), control and
management of executive devices. The network can be
embedded in some object (robot, tool, machine, etc.), and
the state of set S and A determines the state of the object.
Let the current state of the node of one network be de-
termined by the state of the sensor S, and the node of the
other network by the state of the actuator A. In so doing,
the state S is displayed on the state A. The simplest ex-
ample is that the state of the switch determines by the
state of the lamp, which can be realized by their direct
connection. Alternatively, the state S is determined by the
MCU that is associated with the MCU that controls A.
Figure 1. Methods of an interaction of network nodes.
The logical link of the sensor to the executive device
can be implemented: interconnectivity by sending a mes-
sage S' that displays the state S to another network as a
package A' representing the state A. In the case of differ-
ent interfaces and protocols of associated sensor net-
works, a series of transformations S'→ A' is required. In
the absence of direct network connection, Edge compu-
ting is used, operating with a digital representation of
<S'', A'', that is called Digital Twin. Accordingly, Digital
Twin at the levels Dew, Fog, Cloud, will be used in vari-
ous forms, but displaying the current state of <S, A>.
Synchronization <S', A'>, <S'', A''>, ..., <S''''', A'''''' re-
quires certain computational costs and the expenditure of
traffic, and hence - time costs. Generally, there are time
intervals of the desynchronization in the meaning of vari-
ous Digital Twin, which can affect the operation of sys-
tems sensitive to such uncertainties. Here, it should be
entrusted Edge computing with critical to communication
delays and direct interaction of sensor networks.
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IV. EDGE COMPUTING FOR ASSOCIATION SENSOR
NETWORKS
Let's consider independent sensor networks SN1 (head
node 1, internal nodes 11, 12, 13 and boundary nodes
BN1, BN12, BN13), SN2 (head node 2, internal nodes 21,
22, 23 and boundary nodes BN2, BN12, BN23) , SN3 (head
node 3, internal nodes 31, 32, 33 and boundary nodes
BN3, BN13, BN23). In Figure 2, double lines show inter-
network data flows. Let the data for node 21 come from
the access point through the boundary node BN1.
The chain is constructed: Data1 → BN1 → BN12 →
21. Data is delivered from node 31 via the chain: 31 → 3
→ BN23 → 2→ BN12 → 1 → BN1 → Data1. A shorter
way, in the presence of BN13 is: 31 → 3→ BN13 → 1→
BN1 → Data1.
BN2
21
2 22
12
11 BN12
23
13 SN2
BN1
BN23
1
BN13
31
SN1
3
SN3
Sensor Actuator 32
33
Head node
BN3
Boundary network node
Figure 2. Combining of sensor networks with internetwork data
transport.
Networks SN1, SN2, SN3 can be used for data ex-
change between the head and inner nodes and external
networks via BN1, BN2, BN3. The following conditions
must be met: support for packet switching in selected
networks; sufficient length of network messages for or-
ganizing data transfer over SN1-SN3 network protocols.
Data transfer rate in networks ensures an acceptable delay
in transmission of data packets; network traffic must have
sufficient redundancy to accommodate additional traffic;
head nodes 1, 2 and 3 allow the extension of the basic set
of functions; energy costs for implementation of addition-
al services should not extend beyond established limits.
A number of sources [10-12] describe the results of
the interaction of wired and wireless networks. The prin-
cipal possibility of reliable transportation of CAN-
packets through the IP network is shown. However, many
sensor networks have too limited capabilities of interfaces
and protocols to implement additional functions. This
may require profound changes to the services of elements
1, 2 and 3, will affect a number of existing protocols and
will lead to the emergence of new protocols that support
prospective platforms of sensory networks.
 Thus, the problem of constructing a common infor-
mation field from independent heterogeneous networks is
solved as follows. Network interfaces are assumed by the
boundary nodes (BN). There are BN1, BN2, BN3 for ex-
ternal access to SN1, SN2, SN3 and there are BN12, BN13,
BN23 for the interaction of networks. Boundary nodes that
perform the function of gateways have the possibility of a
simultaneous presence in at least two networks between
which interaction is organized.
Each network controller through a network interface
is related to the nodes of its network - sensors and drives
and it performs a set of basic functions (services). Expan-
sion of the set of functions gives access to the network
controller from the side of the boundary node, which
provides transport of data from one network to another.
Head nodes (network controllers) form requests
(commands) to sensors and drives receive response mes-
sages in accordance with the internal logic of the network
functioning. To provide communication with the global
network of all nodes, without exception, that generates
and receive data, it is advisable to use one entry point for
a cluster of nodes within one or more sensor networks.
V. ACCESS TO CLOUD SERVICE
The task of accessing to remote data store or service
based on such a store can be solved at the levels: Dew,
Fog, Cloud (Cloudlet). Take, for example, the cloud ser-
vice ThingSpeak [13] with open access (Figure 3). It can
create several channels for the accumulation of data (inte-
ger values) from remote sources with the fixation of the
arrival time. Each channel is available for writing and
reading after fulfilling the identification procedure using
allocated keys and identifiers. The source of data or the
client can be any device with wired or wireless Internet
access (Ethernet and WiFi MCU, System on Module,
smartphone, tablet PC). The number of channels for re-
cording and the frequency of data transmission is limited.
Figure 3. Interaction of IoT elements using the cloud service
ThingSpeak.com.
Clients after identification get access to data that can
be obtained in the form of spreadsheets or graphs.
To study the technology of access to the cloud data
store, the solution of the following tasks can be used:
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identification and transmission of a certain value for one
channel; transmission of values obtained from different
sensor networks for several channels; building a client for
obtaining data, analyze it to detect a deviation from the
specified range; analysis of the resistance of the data
source to substitution, distortion or destruction of infor-
mation.
VI. RAPID PROTOTYPING OF FRAGMENTS OF INTERNET
OF THINGS
The option of rapid prototyping of a network fragment
using wired and wireless access that realized with use a
WiFi router shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. Rapid prototyping of the IoT network fragment.
There are four Ethernet ports for connecting the end
devices (Ethernet MCU) and the local server, the WiFi
access point for connecting the IoT wireless devices:
WiFi MCU (ESP 8266, Espressif ESP 32, etc.), SoM
Raspberry Pi, laptops, smartphones, tablet computers. As
the access point WiFi mobile devices GSM, DSL mo-
dems and WiFi MCU can be used. This creates a variety
of tasks for building various Edge-level network configu-
ration for building and analyzing IoT fragments, master-
ing promising IoT platforms.
Simple Ethernet MCUs are built using Ethernet - SPI
converters Wiznet w5100, w5500, Microchip ENC28J60
and microcontroller platforms. Converters implement
TCP/IP protocol in hardware. Microcontrollers can be
connected to sensors and actuators, perform the functions
of the boundary nodes of sensor networks, and exchange
information among themselves using built-in interfaces.
Using multiple routers and connected devices allows the
local server to simulate interaction at the boundary level
of higher IoT levels.
The prototype is the base for the development and re-
search of industrial automation systems, a smart home
that is based on technologies of the Internet of Things.
VII. MODELING OF ACCESS TO WEB RESOURCES
Along with rapid prototyping, an effective tool for
developing and debugging an application for the Internet
of Things is the model approach. Thus, the Proteus mod-
eling and development environment allows investigate
the behavior of devices based on wired access ENC28J60
 to a local network and also based on emulating access to
web resources by intercepting TCP/IP packets.
Figure 5 shows the model view and the browser win-
dow with the result of querying the IP address of the
device. This simple and affordable tool allows you to
gain the skills of organizing an exchange using HTTP
pages in a network with the TCP/IP protocol. Limited
resources of microcontrollers and features of ENC28J60
allow using highly shortened HTTP pages that can be
placed in one Ethernet frame and occupy the amount of
available memory.
Proteus allows simulate the exchange between nodes
of sensor networks, and also the interaction of microcon-
trollers with digital and analog sensors (temperature,
humidity, pressure, approach, etc.), various actuators
(lighting, electric drives, relays, etc.), indicators, alarms
and various converters [14].
Matlab can be used to model data processing from
sensors, modern versions of which make it possible to
obtain data from physical devices [15].
Figure 5. Modeling access to Web resources using the Proteus.
VIII. CONCLUSIONS
The competencies of IoT elements developers are
formed on the basis of a clear understanding of the hier-
archy of networks, the levels of organization of interac-
tion of elements in the network of an end and boundary
devices of sensor networks. A project-oriented and mod-
el-oriented approach to learning allows, on the basis of
simple projects and their gradual complication, to cover
the main elements of the technologies used in the Internet
of Things. The tools of rapid prototyping allow you to
bring projects to the level of ready-made solutions that
form the basis of complex projects.
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Prototypes open wide opportunities for researching
the vulnerability of elements of the Internet of Things and
methods of enhancing cybersecurity in experiments that
are difficult to implement or unacceptable in real net-
works.
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