Department of Electrical Engineering Research Groups

(Previously: SNRG - Smart Networking Research Group)

NEXIS – Networks, Energy & Healthcare Informatics Systems was originally founded as the Smart Networking Research Group (SNRG) in 2012 under the leadership of Dr. Saima Zafar. The group was established with the goal of advancing research in computer network systems and related emerging fields, providing a platform for researchers and students to explore innovative solutions in modern networking technologies. Over the years, NEXIS has expanded its research scope, evolving into a prominent contributor in several critical domains, including computer networking, the Internet of Things (IoT) and its diverse applications, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven Smart Energy Systems, and Healthcare Informatics. Its work in networking and IoT has led to advancements in secure communication, network optimization, wireless technologies, intelligent automation, smart environments, and sensor-based systems that enhance efficiency and connectivity. The research on IoT and AI-driven Smart Energy Systems focuses on optimizing energy consumption, integrating renewable energy sources, and enhancing grid stability. Meanwhile, its contributions to Healthcare Informatics involve the development of IoT and AI-driven solutions for improving patient care, predictive analytics for disease prevention, and efficient healthcare management systems.

To date, NEXIS has successfully completed approximately 20 capstone projects, allowing students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. Furthermore, 21 graduate theses have been completed and PhD research is actively in progress, reflecting the continuous pursuit of knowledge and innovation. The research group has made a substantial impact on the academic and scientific community, with around 40 research publications featured in prestigious international journals and conferences. These publications have contributed valuable insights to the global discourse on networking, AI, IoT, and healthcare informatics. The excellence of NEXIS’s research work has been recognized in national competitions, where several projects have won awards, further validating the group's contributions to technological advancements and innovation.

Members:

1. Dr. Saima Zafar, Director and Principal Investigator (PI)
2. Dr. Ali Hammad Akbar, Collaborator and Co-PI
3. Dr. Muhammad Akmal (Co-PI: Healthcare Informatics)
4. Dr. Muhammad Naeem (Co-PI: Smart Energy and Power Systems)
5. Ms. Amna Ehsan, PhD student
6. Hafiza Maliha Shabbir, PhD student
7. Ms. Abeer Bashir

Students with significant contributions:

1. Feroz Ahmed
2. Usman Ayub
3. Syed Faseeh Ul Hassan
4. Khushbakht Munir Bhatti
5. Hira Khalid
6. Chaudhry Fahad Ali

Ongoing Research Projects:

1. Artificial intelligence-based data analysis and load forecasting in Smart Grid: A case study for Pakistan
2. Artificial Intelligence-based Clinical Decision Support System

Selected Publications:

1. F. Ahmad, and S. Zafar, “SoC-Based Implementation of 1D Convolutional Neural Network for 3-Channel ECG Arrhythmia Classification via HLS4ML,” IEEE Embedded Systems Letters, 16:4:429-432. 2024 (IF: 2.9)
2. S. Zafar, U. Ayub, H. I. Alkhammash, N. Ullah, “Framework for Efficient Auto-Scaling of Virtual Network Functions in a Cloud Environment,” Sensors, 22, 7597. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22197597 (IF: 3.847)
3. S. Zafar, S. F. U. Hassan, A. Mohammad, A. A. Al-Ahmadi, N. Ullah, “Implementation of a Distributed Framework for Permissioned Blockchain-Based Secure Automotive Supply Chain Management,” Sensors, 22, 7367. 2022 https://doi.org/10.3390/s22197367 (IF: 3.847)
4. S. Zafar, K. M. Bhatti, M. Shabbir, F. Hashmat, A. H. Akbar, “Integration of Blockchain and Internet of Things: Challenges and Solutions.” Annals of Telecommunications, 77:1-2:13-32. 2022 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12243-021-00858-8 (IF: 1.444)
5. S. Zafar, H. Khalid, “Free Space Optical Networks: Applications, Challenges and Research Directions,” Wireless Personal Communications, 21:1:429-457. 2021 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-021-08644-4 (IF: 1.671)
6. S. A. Hashmi, C. F. Ali, S. Zafar, “Internet of things and cloud computing-based energy management system for demand side management in smart grid.” International Journal of Energy Research, 45:1:1007-1022. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.6141. (IF: 5.164)
7. S. Zafar, A. Bashir, S. A. Chaudhry, “Mobility-Aware Hierarchical Clustering in Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks,” IEEE Access, 2019. 7:20394-20403. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2896938. (IF: 3.367)
8. S. Zafar, S. A. Chaudhry, S. Kiran, “Adaptive TrimTree: Green data center network through resource consolidation, selective connectedness and energy proportional computing,” Energies, 2016. 9(10):797. https://doi.org/10.3390/en9100797. (IF: 3.004)
9. S. Zafar, A. Bashir, S. A. Chaudhry, “On implementation of DCTCP on three-tier and fat-tree data center network topologies,” SpringerPlus 2016, 5:766. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2454-4. (IF: 1.780)
10. S. Jabbar, A. H. Akbar, S. Zafar, M. M. Quddoos, M. Hussain, “VISTA: Achieving cumulative vision through energy efficient silhouette recognition of mobile targets through collaboration of visual sensor nodes”, Springer EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing, 2014, 2014:32. https://doi.org/10.1186/1687-5281-2014-32. (IF: 1.789)
11. B. Hasani, S. Zafar, A. H. Akbar, B. A. Magsi, “Collaborative routing and data dissemination architecture for commercial wireless sensor networks”, Springer EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking 2013, 2013:54. https://doi.org/10.1186/1687-1499-2013-54. (IF: 1.408)
12. S. Zafar, A. H. Akbar, S. Jabbar, “A gating mechanism for border node assisted association of Wireless Personal Area Networks,” SpringerPlus 2012, 1:12. https://doi.org/10.1186/2193-1801-1-12. (IF: 1.780)
13. S. Zafar, A. H. Akbar, S. Jabbar, N. M. Sheikh, “SET - Session layer-assisted Efficient TCP management architecture for 6LoWPAN with multiple gateways” Springer EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking 2010, Volume 2010, Article ID 936457, 20 pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/936457. (IF: 1.408)
14. M. H. Farooq, M. Zain, M. B. Khalid, S. Zafar, “Easy-Weigh-Out: Design and Implementation of Internet of Things-based Smart Luggage System”, International Journal of Online and Biomedical Engineering, 2021. 17(3):37-48. https://online-journals.org/index.php/i-joe/article/view/17165/8809
15. M. F. Shafeeq, A. H. Akbar, S. Zafar, “SNAG: Collaborative Routing Architecture for Sensor-based Information at SMS Gateway in Cellular Networks,” International Journal of Wireless Information Networks, 2019. pp. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10776-019-00451-w.
16. S. Zafar, G. Miraj, R. Baloch, D. Murtaza, K. Arshad, “An IoT based real-time environmental monitoring system using Arduino and cloud service,” Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, 2018. 8(4):3238-3242. https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.2144
17. S. Zafar, U. Ejaz, “SCTP-aware Link Layer Retransmission Mechanism for Smart-grid Communication Network,” Engineering Technology & Applied Science Research, 2016. 6(4):1093-1098. https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.685
18. S. Shahid, S. Zafar, M. Imam, M. U. Chishtee, and H. Ehsan, “Remote Heart Beat Monitoring System,” NFC IEFR Journal of Engineering and Scientific Research, 2019. 7(1):5-10. http://nijesr.com/ojs/index.php/archive/article/view/247.
19. Y. Abbas, S. Zafar, A. H. Akbar, “SNS: Architecture for Sensor Network-based Services via Internet Service Provider,” Pakistan Journal of Engineering & Applied Sciences, 2019. 24:97-109. https://journal.uet.edu.pk/ojs_old/index.php/pjeas/article/view/1660/318.
20. S. Zafar, A. H. Akbar, “Inter-cluster communication in wireless sensor networks,” International Journal of Computer Networks and Communications Security,” 2017. 5(1):1-6. https://www.ijcncs.org/published/volume5/issue1/p1_5-1.pdf.
21. S. Zafar, K. Taj, A. H. Akbar, K. Kim, “Comparing AODV and DSR Routing Protocols for Connectivity Restoration in Wireless Sensor Networks,” International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, 2016. 14(9):554-560.
22. M. A. Khan, Z. Nauman, M. Farooq, and S. Zafar, “Internet of Things and machine learning-based Diabetes Management System,” 2023 International Conference on IT and Industrial Technologies (ICIT 2023), Chinniot-Faisalabad, Pakistan, 2023, (accepted)
23. T. Ramzan and S. Zafar, "Blockchain-based Security for Internet of Medical Things Application," 2022 International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security (ICCWS), Islamabad, Pakistan, 2022, pp. 69-74, doi: 10.1109/ICCWS56285.2022.9998443.
24. S. Zafar and S. Saleem, "Propagation Channel Characterization of 28 GHz and 36 GHz Millimeter-Waves for 5G Cellular Networks," 2022 International Conference on Emerging Trends in Electrical, Control, and Telecommunication Engineering (ETECTE), Lahore, Pakistan, 2022, pp. 1-7, doi: 10.1109/ETECTE55893.2022.10007312.
25. S. Jawad, H. Munsif, A. Azam, A. H. Ilahi and S. Zafar, "Internet of Things-based Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring System," 2021 15th International Conference on Open Source Systems and Technologies (ICOSST), 15-16 December 2021, Al-Khawarizmi Institute of Computer Science, UET Lahore, Pakistan. pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1109/ICOSST53930.2021.9683883.
26. Iqbal and S. Zafar, "SHA-3 Algorithm-based Authentication Scheme for Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks," 2021 2nd Annual International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security (ICCWS), 23-24 November 2021, NCCS, Islamabad, Pakistan. pp. 16-23, doi: 10.1109/ICCWS53234.2021.9703025.
27. Mahmood, S. Zafar, “Performance analysis of NarrowBand Internet of Things (NB-IoT) deployment modes,” 2019 22nd International Multitopic Conference (INMIC) 29-30 Nov, 2019, FAST NU Islamabad, Pakistan. https://doi.org/10.1109/INMIC48123.2019.9022748.
28. M. Qasim, S. Zafar, “Performance evaluation of BEEM clustering algorithm in Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks,” 2019 22nd International Multitopic Conference (INMIC) 29-30 Nov, 2019, FAST NU Islamabad, Pakistan. https://doi.org/10.1109/INMIC48123.2019.9022739.
29. S. Zafar, A. H. Akbar, M. Amjad, S. Shams, S. A. Chaudhry, J. Seuk, B. Roh, K. H. Kim, “BRIDGE: BoRder-node assistance for common Interest-based Diffusion through a Gating mEchanism for collocated WPANs”, Proceedings of 6th International Conference on Emerging Technologies ICET, 11-13 October 2010, Islamabad, Pakistan.
30. S. Zafar, S. Jabbar, A. H. Akbar, N. M. Sheikh, “Staggered-TCP for parallel split-sessions across multiple proxies in heterogeneous networks”, 2010 5th International Conference on Future Information Technology, FutureTech 2010, 21-23 May 2010, Busan, South Korea. https://doi.org/10.1109/FUTURETECH.2010.5482728.
31. S. Zafar, W. Younis, N. M. Sheikh, “The Compensation of Head Motion Artifacts Using an Infrared Tracking System and an Algorithm in CT (Computerized Tomography) Imaging”, 2007 International Conference on Electrical Engineering, April 11-12, 2007, Lahore, Pakistan. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEE.2007.4287347.

Selected Projects and Theses:

1. Artificial Intelligence-powered voice-assisted E-commerce Web Application, 2024
2. Internet of Things-based Smart Waste Management System, 2024
3. An FPGA-based Accelerator for ECG analysis system using high-level synthesis (HLS), 2023
4. SmartHeart: AI-powered health monitoring with IoT, 2023
5. IoT and ML-based COVID-19 patient health monitoring system, 2022
6. Internet of Things, cloud computing, and machine learning-based non-invasive Diabetes Management System, 2023
7. Load forecasting for smart grid using deep learning techniques, 2022
8. Securing Internet of Things network using blockchain Hyperledger Fabric technology, 2022
9. Exploring In-depth features of Azure IoT through implementation of telemetry data application, 2022
10. Unreal Engine and artificial intelligence-based real-time Digital Home Assistant, 2022
11. Evaluating optimal duration of PSM & eDRX timers for NB-IoT devices, 2021
12. Temperature supervision of Covid-19 vaccine supply chain using blockchain, 2021
13. Internet of Things-Based Smart Pandemic Management System Underlining Covid-19, 2021
14. Internet of Things-based Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring System, 2021
15. Permissioned automobile manufacturing value chain through blockchain, 2020
16. Blockchain-based security for Internet of Things healthcare application, 2020
17. SHA-3 algorithm-based authentication scheme for VANETs, 2020
18. Performance analysis of Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) deployment modes, 2020
19. Hierarchical clustering in 5G MIMO-based future Internet of Things, 2020
20. Design and analysis of Demand Side Management in Smart Grid, 2019
21. Auto-scaling of Virtual Network Functions in a cloud-based environment, 2019
22. Propagation channel characterization for 28 GHz & 36 GHz mm-wave 5G frequency band, 2019
23. Performance analysis and optimization of RPL in mobile wireless sensor networks, 2019
24. Calculating the cortical thickness of brain for optimal transcranial direct current stimulation, 2019
25. Layout optimization of wireless sensor network using meta-heuristic algorithms, 2019
26. Remote Heart Beat Monitoring System, 2019
27. An IoT based real-time environmental monitoring system using Arduino and cloud service, 2018
28. Inter-cluster communication in wireless sensor networks, 2017
29. Throughput and Delay Analysis of AODV, DSDV, and DSR Routing Protocols in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks, 2016
30. On Comparison of TCP Variants with respect to Throughput and Fairness, 2016
31. Comparing AODV and DSR Routing Protocols for Connectivity Restoration in Wireless Sensor Networks, 2016
32. Performance analysis of DCTCP on data centre networks, 2015
33. Elastic Tree with adaptive link rate to reduce energy consumption in data centre networks, 2015
34. Effective communication mechanism for Neighbourhood Area Network in Smart Grid, 2014
35. Connectivity restoration in sensor networks through Collaborative Network Architecture, 2014
36. Performance evaluation of routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks, 2013
37. Delay analysis of MANET routing protocols, 2012