Development of Technical Guidelines and Standards for IoT Network Deployment

I&T Wish Development of Technical Guidelines and Standards for IoT Network Deployment
(REF : W-0096)
Matched I&T Solution
Trial Project
Summary and Challenges

In the new Smart City era, it is envisaged that a large number of wireless IoT sensors would be deployed for different applications. We will be moving from a network of traditional telecommunications equipment and devices to a ubiquitously networked environment of IoT. Everything in our daily lives, from small gadgets to large apparatus, can potentially be connected to one another to form a network of things.

 In a densely-populated city like Hong Kong where IoT sensors of the different IoT networks may be operated at similar frequencies in uncoordinated licence bands, the increasing number of wireless connected devices with long range transmission distance may burden wireless networks and degrade the network performance. For example, two emerging Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies, LoRa and Sigfox, are operating at similar frequencies.

In the IoT space, cyber-security issues must be considered. Meanwhile, there is no standard regulating IoT sensors and devices. Loopholes in cyber-security due to incompliance with global standards may cause critical security issues. Hackers and attackers may easily invade networks, launch DDoS attacks, and steal private information through the IoT sensor networks. Public safety and privacy may be at risk. Global standards and requirements, such as IEEE 1451, should be fulfilled to ensure compatibility and enhance cyber-security.

Apart from avoiding frequency interference, a good deployment strategy should also consider both the outdoor coverage and indoor connectivity of the network. It may also be difficult for service providers to estimate the indoor and outdoor signal coverage of an IoT network with high connection density. However, there are no readily available guidelines for IoT network deployment in the market.

This project calls for the development of technical guidelines and standards for IoT network deployment, with specific requirements as follows:

  1. To develop a frequency harmonisation model for managing various IoT devices to increase the efficiency of data transmission and prevent network traffic jams.
  2. To provide guidance on indoor and outdoor signal coverage planning of IoT network deployment.
  3. To develop an adaptive and intelligent model for deploying IoT antennas and sensors at strategic locations.
  4. To develop technical guidelines for IoT network deployment.
  5. To comply with global standards and requirements, such as IEEE 1451 to ensure compatibility and enhance cyber-security.
Expected Outcome To develop Technical Guidelines and Standards for IoT Network Deployment
Expected Trial Duration

Expected project duration: 12 months

The project is divided into three (3) phases:

1st Project Phase (from commencement to 4th month)
  • Preparation for site trial for emerging IoT wireless technologies, such as LoRa, Sigfox, Bluetooth, ZigBee, NB-IoT/eLTE-IoT and 5G (if available), for site trials at EMSD HQs and optionally other places
2nd Project Phase (5th month to 8th month)
  • Development of harmonization propagation model
  • Site trial and implementation of IoT wireless networks at EMSD HQs and other locations (the site trial and implementation will be continued in 3rd Project Phase)
3rd Project Phase (9th month to 12th month)
  • Development of the software model of harmonization propagation model that comprises:
  • 1. a harmonization propagation model for managing various IoT devices;
    2. the evaluation of the optimum positions of IoT antennas and sensors;
    3. the evaluation of indoor and outdoor signal coverage planning.




Contact Information
I&T Wish Proposer:Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD)
Contact Person:Miss YIP Kei Man
Position:Electronics Engineer/Building Information Modelling/5
Tel: 31553932
Email: kmyip@emsd.gov.hk
Project Deliverables

Development of technical guidelines and standards for IoT network deployment that meet the aforesaid requirements

Upload Date 2018-11-05
Closing Date 2018-11-19