Thapa, Bijayita

The Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) and Internet of Things (IoT) have become emerging and essential technologies of the past few decades that connect various heterogeneous systems and devices. Sensors and actuators are fundamental units in most CPS and IoT systems, they are used extensively in vehicle systems, smart health care systems, smart buildings and cities, and many other types of applications. The extensive use of sensors and actuators, coupled with their increasing connectivity, exposes them to a wide range of threats. Given their integration into various systems and the use of multiple technologies, it is very useful to characterize their functions abstractly. For concreteness, we study them here in the context of autonomous cars. An autonomous car is an example of a CPS, which includes IoT applications. For instance, IoT units allow an autonomous car to be connected wirelessly to roadside units, other vehicles, and fog and cloud systems. Also, the IoT allows them to collect and share information on traffic, navigation, roads, and other aspects. An autonomous car is a complex system, not only due to its intricate design but also because it operates in a dynamic environment, interacting with other vehicles and the surrounding infrastructure. To manage these functions, it must integrate various technologies from different sources. Specifically, a diverse array of sensors and actuators is essential for the functionality of autonomous vehicles.