Syed Ali Hassan

Muhammad Zawish, Nouman Ashraf, Rafay Iqbal Ansari et al.

6G envisions artificial intelligence (AI) powered solutions for enhancing the quality-of-service (QoS) in the network and to ensure optimal utilization of resources. In this work, we propose an architecture based on the combination of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), AI and blockchain for agricultural supply-chain management with the purpose of ensuring traceability, transparency, tracking inventories and contracts. We propose a solution to facilitate on-device AI by generating a roadmap of models with various resource-accuracy trade-offs. A fully convolutional neural network (FCN) model is used for biomass estimation through images captured by the UAV. Instead of a single compressed FCN model for deployment on UAV, we motivate the idea of iterative pruning to provide multiple task-specific models with various complexities and accuracy. To alleviate the impact of flight failure in a 6G enabled dynamic UAV network, the proposed model selection strategy will assist UAVs to update the model based on the runtime resource requirements.

Fazal Muhammad Ali Khan, Hatem Abou-Zeid, Aryan Kaushik et al.

The industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) under Industry 4.0 heralds an era of interconnected smart devices where data-driven insights and machine learning (ML) fuse to revolutionize manufacturing. A noteworthy development in IIoT is the integration of federated learning (FL), which addresses data privacy and security among devices. FL enables edge sensors, also known as peripheral intelligence units (PIUs) to learn and adapt using their data locally, without explicit sharing of confidential data, to facilitate a collaborative yet confidential learning process. However, the lower memory footprint and computational power of PIUs inherently require deep neural network (DNN) models that have a very compact size. Model compression techniques such as pruning can be used to reduce the size of DNN models by removing unnecessary connections that have little impact on the model's performance, thus making the models more suitable for the limited resources of PIUs. Targeting the notion of compact yet robust DNN models, we propose the integration of iterative magnitude pruning (IMP) of the DNN model being trained in an over-the-air FL (OTA-FL) environment for IIoT. We provide a tutorial overview and also present a case study of the effectiveness of IMP in OTA-FL for an IIoT environment. Finally, we present future directions for enhancing and optimizing these deep compression techniques further, aiming to push the boundaries of IIoT capabilities in acquiring compact yet robust and high-performing DNN models.

Muhammad Umer, Muhammad Ahmed Mohsin, Huma Ghafoor et al.

This thesis delves into the forefront of wireless communication by exploring the synergistic integration of three transformative technologies: STAR-RIS, CoMP, and NOMA. Driven by the ever-increasing demand for higher data rates, improved spectral efficiency, and expanded coverage in the evolving landscape of 6G development, this research investigates the potential of these technologies to revolutionize future wireless networks. The thesis analyzes the performance gains achievable through strategic deployment of STAR-RIS, focusing on mitigating inter-cell interference, enhancing signal strength, and extending coverage to cell-edge users. Resource sharing strategies for STAR-RIS elements are explored, optimizing both transmission and reflection functionalities. Analytical frameworks are developed to quantify the benefits of STAR-RIS assisted CoMP-NOMA networks under realistic channel conditions, deriving key performance metrics such as ergodic rates and outage probabilities. Additionally, the research delves into energy-efficient design approaches for CoMP-NOMA networks incorporating RIS, proposing novel RIS configurations and optimization algorithms to achieve a balance between performance and energy consumption. Furthermore, the application of Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) techniques for intelligent and adaptive optimization in aerial RIS-assisted CoMP-NOMA networks is explored, aiming to maximize network sum rate while meeting user quality of service requirements. Through a comprehensive investigation of these technologies and their synergistic potential, this thesis contributes valuable insights into the future of wireless communication, paving the way for the development of more efficient, reliable, and sustainable networks capable of meeting the demands of our increasingly connected world.

Syed Muhammad Raza, Syed Muhammad Ghazi Hassan, Syed Ali Hassan et al.

To protect the environment from trash pollution, especially in societies, and to take strict action against the red-handed people who throws the trash. As modern societies are developing and these societies need a modern solution to make the environment clean. Artificial intelligence (AI) evolution, especially in Deep Learning, gives an excellent opportunity to develop real-time trash detection using CCTV cameras. The inclusion of this project is real-time trash detection using a deep model of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). It is used to obtain eight classes mask, tissue papers, shoppers, boxes, automobile parts, pampers, bottles, and juices boxes. After detecting the trash, the camera records the video of that person for ten seconds who throw trash in society. The challenging part of this paper is preparing a complex custom dataset that took too much time. The dataset consists of more than 2100 images. The CNN model was created, labeled, and trained. The detection time accuracy and average mean precision (mAP) benchmark both models' performance. In experimental phase the mAP performance and accuracy of the improved CNN model was superior in all aspects. The model is used on a CCTV camera to detect trash in real-time.

Farooque Hassan Kumbhar, Syed Ali Hassan, Soo Young Shin

The spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused trillions of dollars in damages to the governments and health authorities by affecting the global economies. The purpose of this study is to introduce a connected smart paradigm that not only detects the possible spread of viruses but also helps to restart businesses/economies, and resume social life. We are proposing a connected Internet of Things ( IoT) based paradigm that makes use of object detection based on convolution neural networks (CNN), smart wearable and connected e-health to avoid current and future outbreaks. First, connected surveillance cameras feed continuous video stream to the server where we detect the inter-object distance to identify any social distancing violations. A violation activates area-based monitoring of active smartphone users and their current state of illness. In case a confirmed patient or a person with high symptoms is present, the system tracks exposed and infected people and appropriate measures are put into actions. We evaluated the proposed scheme for social distancing violation detection using YOLO (you only look once) v2 and v3, and for infection spread tracing using Python simulation.

Tariq Rahim, Syed Ali Hassan, Soo Young Shin

Computerized detection of colonic polyps remains an unsolved issue because of the wide variation in the appearance, texture, color, size, and presence of the multiple polyp-like imitators during colonoscopy. In this paper, we propose a deep convolutional neural network based model for the computerized detection of polyps within colonoscopy images. The proposed model comprises 16 convolutional layers with 2 fully connected layers, and a Softmax layer, where we implement a unique approach using different convolutional kernels within the same hidden layer for deeper feature extraction. We applied two different activation functions, MISH and rectified linear unit activation functions for deeper propagation of information and self regularized smooth non-monotonicity. Furthermore, we used a generalized intersection of union, thus overcoming issues such as scale invariance, rotation, and shape. Data augmentation techniques such as photometric and geometric distortions are adapted to overcome the obstacles faced in polyp detection. Detailed benchmarked results are provided, showing better performance in terms of precision, sensitivity, F1- score, F2- score, and dice-coefficient, thus proving the efficacy of the proposed model.

Syed Ali Hassan, Tariq Rahim, Soo Young Shin

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) gives a great opportunity to develop an autonomous devices. The contribution of this work is an improved convolutional neural network (CNN) model and its implementation for the detection of road cracks, potholes, and yellow lane in the road. The purpose of yellow lane detection and tracking is to realize autonomous navigation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by following yellow lane while detecting and reporting the road cracks and potholes to the server through WIFI or 5G medium. The fabrication of own data set is a hectic and time-consuming task. The data set is created, labeled and trained using default and an improved model. The performance of both these models is benchmarked with respect to accuracy, mean average precision (mAP) and detection time. In the testing phase, it was observed that the performance of the improved model is better in respect of accuracy and mAP. The improved model is implemented in UAV using the robot operating system for the autonomous detection of potholes and cracks in roads via UAV front camera vision in real-time.

Fatima Hussain, Rasheed Hussain, Syed Ali Hassan et al.

The future Internet of Things (IoT) will have a deep economical, commercial and social impact on our lives. The participating nodes in IoT networks are usually resource-constrained, which makes them luring targets for cyber attacks. In this regard, extensive efforts have been made to address the security and privacy issues in IoT networks primarily through traditional cryptographic approaches. However, the unique characteristics of IoT nodes render the existing solutions insufficient to encompass the entire security spectrum of the IoT networks. This is, at least in part, because of the resource constraints, heterogeneity, massive real-time data generated by the IoT devices, and the extensively dynamic behavior of the networks. Therefore, Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) techniques, which are able to provide embedded intelligence in the IoT devices and networks, are leveraged to cope with different security problems. In this paper, we systematically review the security requirements, attack vectors, and the current security solutions for the IoT networks. We then shed light on the gaps in these security solutions that call for ML and DL approaches. We also discuss in detail the existing ML and DL solutions for addressing different security problems in IoT networks. At last, based on the detailed investigation of the existing solutions in the literature, we discuss the future research directions for ML- and DL-based IoT security.