Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Article Types

Countries / Regions

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Search Results (350)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = operation and maintenance of communication systems

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
35 pages, 2982 KB  
Article
From the Commissioning of Data to Large-Scale Real-World Industrial Network Datasets for AI-Based Maintenance and Security Applications in the Automotive Industry
by Massimiliano Gaffurini, Dennis Brandão, Emiliano Sisinni and Paolo Ferrari
Network 2026, 6(2), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/network6020033 - 26 May 2026
Viewed by 56
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the automotive industry has spearheaded a shift toward data-centric manufacturing, where Real-Time Ethernet (RTE) networks defined in IEC61784-2 serve as critical components for ensuring deterministic communication at the Operation Technology level. Although AI-based systems offer significant potential for [...] Read more.
Over the last two decades, the automotive industry has spearheaded a shift toward data-centric manufacturing, where Real-Time Ethernet (RTE) networks defined in IEC61784-2 serve as critical components for ensuring deterministic communication at the Operation Technology level. Although AI-based systems offer significant potential for predictive maintenance and cybersecurity, their effectiveness is currently limited by a lack of structured datasets from real-world industrial environments. Most existing research relies on small-scale simulations or laboratory setups that fail to capture the scale and complexity of actual production. To address this gap, this paper introduces a novel methodology for repurposing network data collected throughout a plant’s lifecycle, specifically during the commissioning and validation phases of RTE networks according to IEC61918. An additional important contribution is the creation of the first multi-plant dataset for real RTE (PROFINET) traffic in the automotive sector, aggregating 300 GB of data from 54,000+ devices across nearly 700 production lines in 17 industrial sites. The work defines standardized methodologies and replicable processes for systematic data acquisition, validation, and labeling to ensure long-term usability for training AI models. Finally, four case studies (focused on performance, maintenance, security, and machine learning) show how this dataset can be used to enhance the reliability of modern smart manufacturing. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

29 pages, 19613 KB  
Article
Cross-Modal Graph Attention for Bridge SHM Data Imputation
by Jiawei Xiong, Liangliang Hu, Xiaolin Meng, Xiangdong An and Yilin Xie
Sensors 2026, 26(11), 3339; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26113339 - 25 May 2026
Viewed by 199
Abstract
Bridge structural health monitoring (SHM) systems often suffer from large-scale data missing due to sensor faults, communication interruptions and other reasons during long-term operation, which seriously restricts the reliability of structural state assessment and maintenance decision-making. Compared with conventional single-channel independent modeling strategies [...] Read more.
Bridge structural health monitoring (SHM) systems often suffer from large-scale data missing due to sensor faults, communication interruptions and other reasons during long-term operation, which seriously restricts the reliability of structural state assessment and maintenance decision-making. Compared with conventional single-channel independent modeling strategies commonly used for data imputation, their inherent neglect of spatial correlations and cross-modal causal associations among multi-source heterogeneous monitoring data such as displacement, wind speed, and temperature constrain the imputation capability, particularly when the target channel suffers from long-term continuous data loss. To address the above problems, this paper proposes a collaborative imputation framework integrating a graph attention network (GAT), a modal-aware cross-attention (MACA) mechanism and temporal encoder–decoder architecture (ITimeGAN). Firstly, the sensor feature topological graph is constructed based on the Pearson correlation coefficient, and the spatial dependency among multi-source features is adaptively learned through GAT. Then, the MACA module is introduced, which takes the target displacement as Query and environmental loads as Key/Value, and dynamically aggregates cross-modal driving information through multi-head attention. Finally, a bidirectional LSTM encoder and a unidirectional LSTM decoder are adopted to capture long-range temporal dependencies, so as to realize the accurate reconstruction of missing displacement data. Validated on the 9-dimensional real-world monitoring data from the GeoSHM system of the Forth Road Bridge (UK) under both random missing (10–50%) and continuous long-term missing (1–10 days) scenarios, ITimeGAN achieves an R2 of 0.9950 (MAE = 4.25 mm) for longitudinal displacement and 0.9759 (MAE = 6.70 mm) for vertical displacement even under 10 consecutive days of complete data absence. Ablation analysis further reveals that the incorporation of graph attention and cross-modal attention modules reduces the longitudinal displacement MAE by 57% over the baseline, with the imputation performance ranking across three displacement directions being fully consistent with the underlying physical correlation strengths, thereby confirming the effectiveness of the proposed cross-modal collaborative strategy. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 904 KB  
Article
Reliability and Risk in Space-Based Data Centers: A Lifecycle Assessment of Orbital Cloud Infrastructure
by Mahmoud Al Ahmad, Qurban Memon and Michael Pecht
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5247; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115247 - 23 May 2026
Viewed by 182
Abstract
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing is straining terrestrial data center infrastructure, motivating exploration of space-based data centers (SBDCs) as a scalable and energy-efficient alternative. While orbital platforms offer unique advantages, including continuous solar energy, radiative cooling, and global coverage, [...] Read more.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing is straining terrestrial data center infrastructure, motivating exploration of space-based data centers (SBDCs) as a scalable and energy-efficient alternative. While orbital platforms offer unique advantages, including continuous solar energy, radiative cooling, and global coverage, their practical deployment is constrained by unresolved reliability challenges across the mission lifecycle. This study presents a lifecycle-oriented reliability and risk assessment for SBDCs spanning launch, orbital operation, maintenance, and end-of-life phases, using a structured systems-level analysis of failure modes and operational dependencies. This paper focuses on compute-centric SBDC architectures, treating storage solely as a supporting resource. We identify and classify space-environment-specific risks, including launch-induced mechanical stress, radiation-driven degradation, thermal extremes, and single points of failure in power and communication subsystems. By integrating engineering constraints with economic considerations, we develop a unified risk-chain framework that shows how reliability limitations propagate from component design to system cost and operational viability. The analysis reveals a critical trade-off: achieving terrestrial-grade reliability in orbit requires substantial redundancy and radiation hardening, increasing mass and cost and reducing economic feasibility, whereas lower-reliability designs introduce operational and financial risks that challenge sustainability. These findings establish reliability as the central determinant of SBDC viability, providing an applied foundation for fault-tolerant, modular, and lifecycle-aware design strategies essential for transitioning orbital cloud infrastructure from concept to scalable reality. Full article
20 pages, 1228 KB  
Article
Analysis of a New Concept on Airfield Ground Lighting Power Systems
by Pablo García-Hombre, Daniel Alfonso-Corcuera and Santiago Pindado
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5211; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115211 - 22 May 2026
Viewed by 224
Abstract
Airfield Ground Lighting Power Systems (AGLPS) are critical for ensuring safe aircraft operations, particularly under low-visibility conditions. Conventional systems are based on series circuits supplied by constant current regulators, which impose limitations in terms of flexibility, scalability, and maintenance. This work investigates an [...] Read more.
Airfield Ground Lighting Power Systems (AGLPS) are critical for ensuring safe aircraft operations, particularly under low-visibility conditions. Conventional systems are based on series circuits supplied by constant current regulators, which impose limitations in terms of flexibility, scalability, and maintenance. This work investigates an alternative AGLPS architecture based on a low-voltage parallel distribution network enabled by LED luminaires, distributed power electronics, and Power Line Communication (PLC) for control and monitoring. A theoretical and conceptual approach is adopted, including electrical modelling of the power distribution system, verification of conductor sizing under high admissible voltage drops, and evaluation of communication performance using PLC and Modbus protocols. The results demonstrate that the proposed architecture can operate with significantly higher voltage drops without affecting luminous output, allowing for the use of standard low-voltage cabling. In addition, communication analysis shows that control and monitoring operations can be executed within a few milliseconds, meeting operational requirements. An economic assessment indicates a reduction in system complexity and overall costs compared to conventional series systems. The findings confirm that parallel AGLPS architectures constitute a technically feasible and advantageous alternative to traditional systems, enabling enhanced flexibility, improved maintainability, and the integration of advanced digital functionalities. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 763 KB  
Article
Research on Decision Support for Basic Class Reconstruction in Old Residential Areas Based on Case-Based Reasoning and Utility Theory
by Xiaodong Li and Yuying Du
Buildings 2026, 16(10), 2043; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16102043 - 21 May 2026
Viewed by 221
Abstract
The basic renovation of old urban communities is an important livelihood project for urban renewal, but there are many problems in the decision-making of renovation schemes, such as strong dependence on experience, lack of quantitative basis for multi-objective trade-off, and difficulty in describing [...] Read more.
The basic renovation of old urban communities is an important livelihood project for urban renewal, but there are many problems in the decision-making of renovation schemes, such as strong dependence on experience, lack of quantitative basis for multi-objective trade-off, and difficulty in describing residents’ risk attitude. Combining Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) and utility theory, this paper constructs a set of intelligent decision support models driven by data and knowledge. First of all, through literature analysis and expert investigation, a decision-making index system is established, which includes four dimensions and 16 quantitative indicators: policy and financial support, residential conditions and needs, residents’ consensus and social coordination, and implementation management and long-term maintenance. Secondly, the framework representation method is used to describe the reconstruction case, a hybrid retrieval strategy combining inductive retrieval and nearest-neighbor retrieval is designed, and the subjective and objective data combination weights are calculated by using AHP and the entropy method. On this basis, a loss utility function and risk aversion coefficient based on accident and public opinion data (a = 0.02) are introduced to modify the similarity calculation results to describe the risk avoidance behavior of decision-makers. Through 40 real renovation projects, a case base is built, and two types of target cases, “typical inclusive” (F5) and “key renovation” (F35), are selected for empirical verification. The results show that the model can effectively retrieve similar cases, and the similarity ranking changes in line with risk aversion expectations after utility correction. Taking F5 as an example, by reusing and revising the reconstruction scheme of a similar case, targeted suggestions are generated, which give consideration to safety, economy and operability. This model provides a new quantifiable and reusable method for scientific decision-making in basic renovation of old residential areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4939 KB  
Article
Urban Farming Microinterventions: Design-Led Case Studies from Poland
by Aleksandra Nowysz and Łukasz Szczepanowicz
Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 5156; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18105156 - 20 May 2026
Viewed by 148
Abstract
Urban farming microinterventions are small, place-based cultivation projects that operate under severe spatial and resource constraints yet can generate social learning and locally embedded resilience. The present paper examines how design decisions shape the effectiveness of such interventions through three design-led case studies: [...] Read more.
Urban farming microinterventions are small, place-based cultivation projects that operate under severe spatial and resource constraints yet can generate social learning and locally embedded resilience. The present paper examines how design decisions shape the effectiveness of such interventions through three design-led case studies: Blooming Structure (2018, Warsaw), a temporary hydroponic “laboratory” installation; Micro-cultivation (2018, Warsaw), a shopfront vertical demonstration farm; and Micro-cultivation 2 (2019), modular “cultivation furniture” for interiors and exhibition deployment. The analysis combines project documentation with practice-based observations and applies five interpretive dimensions: spatial fit, technical feasibility, communicative legibility, replicability, and social programming. Findings highlight that successful microinterventions align legible cultivation infrastructure with high visibility, accessibility and participatory formats that support skills transfer and copying-based scaling. Rather than offering universal claims about urban agriculture outcomes, the paper provides a reference set of design principles that may inform similar micro-scale interventions in other contexts, subject to local constraints. Limitations include the small sample size and the concentration on projects from Poland. Practically, the findings can support designers, municipalities, and civic organisations in structuring microinterventions as replicable, low-threshold prototypes and in aligning technical systems with maintenance capacity and public engagement. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2307 KB  
Article
A Federated Learning Framework for Data-Sovereign Predictive Maintenance in Distributed Smart Manufacturing
by Md Sazol Ahmmed, Sriram Praneeth Isanaka and Frank Liou
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(10), 5084; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16105084 - 20 May 2026
Viewed by 208
Abstract
Predictive maintenance enables early detection of machine failures and reduces unexpected production downtime. However, conventional approaches typically rely on centralized data collection and model training which introduce challenges related to data sovereignty, communication overhead and data ownership. To address these challenges, this research [...] Read more.
Predictive maintenance enables early detection of machine failures and reduces unexpected production downtime. However, conventional approaches typically rely on centralized data collection and model training which introduce challenges related to data sovereignty, communication overhead and data ownership. To address these challenges, this research proposes a collaborative federated learning framework for predictive maintenance that can be deployed in distributed smart manufacturing systems. The proposed data-sovereign federated learning approach allows multiple factories to collaboratively train a machine failure prediction model while maintaining data locality. In the framework, each factory trains a local multilayer perceptron (MLP) model using its own machine operational data, while a central server aggregates local model parameters using the Federated Averaging (FedAvg) algorithm to construct a global predictive model. The proposed framework was evaluated using the publicly available AI4I 2020 predictive maintenance dataset, where multiple factories are simulated by partitioning the dataset into distributed clients. Experimental results show that the federated learning model achieves competitive performance compared to centralized machine learning baselines, attaining an accuracy of 97.17%, precision of 0.6000, recall of 0.5000, and F1-score of 0.5455. These results demonstrate that federated learning can enable effective predictive maintenance while maintaining data sovereignty in distributed manufacturing environments. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 11804 KB  
Article
Multi-Agent System-Based Real-Time Implementation of Advanced Energy Management in Hybrid Microgrids
by Praveen Kumar Reddy Kudumula and P. Balachennaiah
Information 2026, 17(5), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/info17050497 - 18 May 2026
Viewed by 160
Abstract
The growing integration of solar, wind and battery energy storage (BES) of the microgrids (MGs) has increased the necessity of real-time energy management, especially in the multi-microgrid (multi-MG) setting, where the generation and the load change stochastically. This paper presents a Java Agent [...] Read more.
The growing integration of solar, wind and battery energy storage (BES) of the microgrids (MGs) has increased the necessity of real-time energy management, especially in the multi-microgrid (multi-MG) setting, where the generation and the load change stochastically. This paper presents a Java Agent DEvelopment (JADE)-based Multi-Agent System (MAS) for real-time energy management of a low-voltage hybrid multi-MG system incorporating solar photovoltaic (PV), wind generation, and battery energy storage (BES). The proposed framework’s novelty lies in its physical campus-scale hardware deployment—validated across four operating scenarios (single MG off-grid, single MG on-grid, dual MG off-grid, and dual MG on-grid)—combined with autonomous inter-MG power sharing, which distinguishes it from existing simulation-only MAS-based microgrid studies. The suggested framework facilitates decentralized communication between interconnected MGs and the utility AC grid to facilitate the proper management of power flow, its exchange, and the reliability of the system. The intelligent agents are used to coordinate solar, wind, BES, and load changes in order to adjust to changing demand conditions. The system is physically implemented on a campus rooftop with two 1 kW solar PV arrays and two 1.5 kW wind turbine generators, each paired with a 24 V, 150 Ah battery bank, operating on a 24 V DC bus. Results across 24 h real operational profiles demonstrate effective power balance maintenance, renewable energy maximization, and constraint-compliant battery operation (SOC is bounded within 20–90%). A direct comparison with a conventional centralized JavaScript-based EMS confirms equivalent dispatch accuracy while demonstrating superior scalability, fault tolerance, and modularity of the proposed JADE MAS architecture. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 7990 KB  
Article
Networked Nonlinear Remote Control for Microreactor Process Using a Distributed Control System Device and Particle Filters
by Haruki Tanaka, Yuma Morita, Zizhen An and Mingcong Deng
Processes 2026, 14(10), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14101553 - 11 May 2026
Viewed by 317
Abstract
In recent years, microreactors have attracted increasing attention as next-generation chemical reactors, enabling rapid and highly efficient reactions, while requiring precise control against temperature variations. In this paper, a research platform for a microreactor process close to practical implementation is constructed using a [...] Read more.
In recent years, microreactors have attracted increasing attention as next-generation chemical reactors, enabling rapid and highly efficient reactions, while requiring precise control against temperature variations. In this paper, a research platform for a microreactor process close to practical implementation is constructed using a distributed control system (DCS) and wireless communication. By establishing such a research platform, not only the effectiveness of control methods but also discussions on system configuration, including operation and maintenance, can be verified and optimized at an early stage. Moreover, operator-based multi-dimensional nonlinear control strategies have been applied in existing studies of channel temperature control. In contrast, this paper extends such strategies by integrating an operator-based feedback scheme with state estimation via particle filters, which simultaneously accounts for unknown communication delay compensation and the nonlinear characteristics of microreactors. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed research platform are verified through real-world experiments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Process Control, Modeling and Optimization)
Show Figures

Figure 1

31 pages, 26013 KB  
Article
Implementation of an Integrated System for Preventive Maintenance Management and Alerts in Light Vehicles
by Joseph Barreiro-Zambrano, Juan Martinez-Parrales and Roberto López-Chila
Vehicles 2026, 8(5), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles8050100 - 1 May 2026
Viewed by 233
Abstract
Inadequate vehicle maintenance management is one of the main causes of road accidents and elevated operating costs in light vehicles. This paper addresses this problem through the development and implementation of a low-cost integrated system for preventive maintenance management and alerts. The device, [...] Read more.
Inadequate vehicle maintenance management is one of the main causes of road accidents and elevated operating costs in light vehicles. This paper addresses this problem through the development and implementation of a low-cost integrated system for preventive maintenance management and alerts. The device, based on an open-hardware architecture (Arduino Mega 2560), integrates Global Positioning System (GPS) and mobile communication (GSM/LTE) modules to monitor distance traveled in real time and notify the user via SMS about the proximity of critical services such as oil changes, brake inspections, and timing-belt replacements. Its technical contribution lies in the integration of non-intrusive virtual ignition, filtered GPS-based odometry, configurable MicroSD-based persistence, and progressive SMS alert logic into a low-cost aftermarket system for conventional vehicles without OBD-II dependence. Experimental validation was conducted in the city of Guayaquil using a 2012 Hyundai Accent. Field tests were carried out in three scenarios: a dense urban route, a peripheral road, and interurban routes. Results showed satisfactory accuracy with a global average percentage error of 3.98% compared to the vehicle’s odometer and 100% effectiveness in sending alerts under the tested conditions (20/20 events; exact 95% binomial confidence interval: 83.2–100.0%). These results provide strong evidence of technical feasibility for the proposed architecture under the tested conditions in a representative single-vehicle proof-of-concept, while broader cross-vehicle validation remains necessary before generalizing the system to the wider diversity of aging fleets. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 24743 KB  
Article
EACCO: Optimizing the Computation and Communication in Resource-Constrained IoT Devices for Energy-Efficient Swarm Robotics
by Amir Ijaz, Hashem Haghbayan, Ethiopia Nigussie, Abdul Malik and Juha Plosila
Sensors 2026, 26(9), 2839; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26092839 - 1 May 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 778
Abstract
Energy consumption is a critical concern for Internet of Things (IoT) platforms lacking abundant resources, particularly for swarm robotic systems that rely on numerous devices operating collaboratively over extended periods. This study presents a comprehensive design strategy for improving processing and communication to [...] Read more.
Energy consumption is a critical concern for Internet of Things (IoT) platforms lacking abundant resources, particularly for swarm robotic systems that rely on numerous devices operating collaboratively over extended periods. This study presents a comprehensive design strategy for improving processing and communication to enhance system efficiency and reduce energy consumption. We incorporate energy harvesting (photovoltaic and RF), dynamic power management, and energy-efficient communication protocols (e.g., duty cycle, power control, data compression) into two complementary platforms built for swarm robotics: MCU-based nodes (TI MSP430 with LoRa transceiver), which serve as the experimental prototype for validating energy-aware communication, compression, and scheduling mechanisms; edge platforms (Jetson Nano and TX2), which are used for high-level power profiling and system-level evaluation, particularly for computation intensive workloads and comparative analysis. Our technique involves analyzing the device’s energy usage and harvesting processes, developing efficient communication protocols, and validating the system through simulations and hardware prototypes. Experimental results under outdoor and indoor conditions show that the device maintains an energy neutrality ratio well above unity, even with limited ambient energy. Key findings include significant reductions in energy per bit transmitted and reliable long-term operation. These insights pave the way for deploying swarms of autonomous IoT-based robots with minimal maintenance and maximal longevity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Internet of Things)
Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 650 KB  
Review
Age-Friendly Built Environments: Integrating Architecture, Safety, and Corporate Security for Healthy and Independent Aging
by Jernej Bevk and Miha Dvojmoč
Buildings 2026, 16(9), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16091725 - 27 Apr 2026
Viewed by 376
Abstract
Population aging intensifies the need for built environments that support healthy and independent living while reducing preventable risks. This integrative review examines how architectural design, safety measures, and corporate security can function as an integrated, layered system for creating age-friendly environments across public [...] Read more.
Population aging intensifies the need for built environments that support healthy and independent living while reducing preventable risks. This integrative review examines how architectural design, safety measures, and corporate security can function as an integrated, layered system for creating age-friendly environments across public spaces, housing, and intergenerational community settings. Drawing on a systematic search of literature published between 2010 and 2026 across databases including Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed, supplemented by international standards and policy documents, the review analyses how universal design principles, injury prevention strategies, and governance routines intersect to sustain mobility, reduce harms, and protect data, devices, and operational continuity. The findings indicate that gaps in any layer, such as inaccessible layouts, poorly maintained safety systems, or weak cybersecurity, can undermine overall effectiveness, compromise trust, and affect older adults’ autonomy. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these interdependencies, accelerating smart technology adoption while exacerbating digital inequality and social isolation, particularly in rural settings. This review concludes that age-friendly environments require not only barrier-free architecture and proportionate safety measures, but also robust governance structures that ensure accountability, lifecycle maintenance, and responsible data practices. Integrating these three domains provides a foundation for resilient, trustworthy, and health-promoting environments that enable older adults to remain active, socially connected, and secure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age-Friendly Built Environment and Sustainable Architectural Design)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 3781 KB  
Article
Reliability and Availability Analysis of k-out-of-M+S Retrial Machine Repair System with Two-Way Communication
by Chen-Hsiang Hsieh, Tzu-Hsin Liu, Fu-Min Chang and Yu-Tang Lee
Mathematics 2026, 14(8), 1400; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14081400 - 21 Apr 2026
Viewed by 296
Abstract
This paper studies the reliability and availability of a k-out-of-(M+S) retrial machine repair system with two-way communication, consisting of M primary components and S warm standby components. The system incorporates the retrial behavior of failed components. When the repairman becomes [...] Read more.
This paper studies the reliability and availability of a k-out-of-(M+S) retrial machine repair system with two-way communication, consisting of M primary components and S warm standby components. The system incorporates the retrial behavior of failed components. When the repairman becomes idle, he initiates outgoing calls after a random period either to failed components in the orbit for repair or to components outside the orbit for preventive maintenance. The main contribution of this study is the incorporation of proactive repairman behavior, which more realistically captures operational practices in certain engineering systems. By employing the matrix analytic method together with a recursive approach, the steady-state probabilities of the system are obtained, and several important performance measures are derived. Furthermore, the Runge–Kutta method is used to evaluate the system reliability and the mean time to failure. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to investigate the effects of key system parameters, supported by numerical experiments and graphical illustrations. Finally, a cost–benefit model is formulated, and a genetic algorithm is implemented to determine the optimal values of the decision variables that minimize the cost–benefit ratio. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

40 pages, 1476 KB  
Review
Modernizing Livestock Operations: Smart Feedlot Technologies and Their Impact
by Son D. Dao, Amirali Khodadadian Gostar, Ruwan Tennakoon, Wei Qin Chuah and Alireza Bab-Hadiashar
Animals 2026, 16(8), 1244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16081244 - 18 Apr 2026
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Smart feedlots are increasingly adopting Precision Livestock Farming technologies to enable continuous, individual-animal monitoring and more proactive management in intensive beef production systems. This narrative review synthesises evidence from approximately 350 academic publications, of which 117 are formally cited, complemented by industry deployments [...] Read more.
Smart feedlots are increasingly adopting Precision Livestock Farming technologies to enable continuous, individual-animal monitoring and more proactive management in intensive beef production systems. This narrative review synthesises evidence from approximately 350 academic publications, of which 117 are formally cited, complemented by industry deployments and the authors’ experience in smart feedlot system development. We cover enabling digital infrastructure (power, sensing networks, wireless connectivity, and gateways), animal identification and sensing (RFID, automated weighing, wearables, and pen-side sensors), machine vision (RGB, thermal, and multispectral imaging from fixed and mobile platforms), and AI-based analytics and decision support for health, welfare, performance, and environmental management. Across the literature, key components have progressed beyond proof-of-concept toward operation under commercial constraints. Reported outcomes include reduced reliance on routine pen-rider observation and yard handling, earlier triage of emerging morbidity risk and behavioural change, and more standardised welfare auditing. Vision-based methods are repeatedly validated against trained human scorers in both on-farm and abattoir contexts, while automated weighing and image-based liveweight estimation support higher-frequency growth monitoring with low single-digit percentage error in representative studies. Precision feeding and targeted supplementation are associated with improved feed utilisation and reduced resource wastage, although effectiveness and adoption vary across animal classes and production stages. We identify priorities for robust, scalable deployment: resilient communications in harsh environments, appropriate edge–cloud partitioning under intermittent connectivity, and interoperable multi-sensor data fusion to deliver trustworthy alerts and actionable insights. Persistent barriers remain cost, durability, maintenance burden, integration and interoperability, data governance, and workforce capability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal System and Management)
Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 2515 KB  
Proceeding Paper
Intelligent Notification Mechanism and Workflow for Legacy Programmable Logic Controller System
by Nian-Ze Hu, Po-Han Lu, Hao-Lun Huang, You-Xin Lin, Chih-Chen Lin, Yu-Tzu Hung, Sing-Cih Jhang, Pei-Yu Chou and Qi-Ren Lin
Eng. Proc. 2026, 134(1), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2026134037 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 371
Abstract
We developed a real-time alert and data management framework that integrates programmable logic controllers, RS-485 industrial communication, Structured Query Language Server, Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), and the nodemation (n8n) automation platform, using a filling machine production line as a case study. The [...] Read more.
We developed a real-time alert and data management framework that integrates programmable logic controllers, RS-485 industrial communication, Structured Query Language Server, Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), and the nodemation (n8n) automation platform, using a filling machine production line as a case study. The system collects and analyzes the operational status and production line data of the filling machine in real time, storing all information in a database for preservation. Through MQTT, the data is sent to n8n for automated processing. When equipment anomalies occur or data exceed predefined thresholds, the system automatically notifies maintenance personnel via communication software APIs. Additionally, users can query daily production capacity or related data using n8n’s AI functions. This architecture offers low cost, rapid deployment, cross-platform integration, and high flexibility. It not only improves anomaly handling efficiency but also preserves complete historical records, supporting trend analysis, report generation, and decision optimization, thereby assisting the filling production line in achieving long-term stable and intelligent management. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop