Call for Papers

In the era of Industry 4.0, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies play an important and enabling role. IoT technologies support the capture (and increasingly processing) of data close to the point of data capture, and can be used as a basis to establish a sustainable model for cities and to preserve the quality of life of citizens. However, the implementation of Industry 4.0 still requires experimentation to evaluate its impact on business and economics. This is particularly true in the face of data explosion, with faster data transfer rates across wireless communications (e.g., increasing availability of broadband, 5G and Beyond (5G&B) networks) and the ability to support real time decision making based on the collection and analysis of this data. Moreover, there is a need to transform the workforce, for example, integrating system operators with new skills to manage work digitally.

The transparency and auditability provided through the use of Blockchain technologies enables us to address emerging challenges in Industry 4.0. Some of these challenges include the ability to provide: (i) greater “trust” in the data generated by an IoT device; (ii) greater understanding of the operations and “behavior” of consumer devices. As Blockchain technologies also enable a direct interaction between participants conveniently and reliably, it enables many new possibilities for Industry 4.0 in emerging wireless communications. For instance, using “smart contracts”, workflow execution can also be used to automate regulatory workflows. Monitoring, tracking, and reporting a large amount of heterogeneous data from smart cities, as well as verification and compliance approval processes, could be facilitated through the efficient use of these technologies.

Long term, Blockchain technologies also provide a solid foundation for next-generation computing ecosystems. Using these technologies, manufacturing industries could redefine and reshape their business models, encouraging greater trust in the use of remote management and monitoring capability. Cybersecurity and challenges are other aspects that manufacturing industries should focus on to create a robust and secure workflow in Industry 4.0. Meanwhile, emerging wireless communication networks are increasingly characterized by the integration of distributed and centralized computing and storage resources. The dramatic expansion of the bandwidth that makes wireless communication networks possible creates new paths of attack. Recent advances in wireless communications also raises serious concerns in terms of security and privacy with legacy solutions.

The objective of this Special Issue is to promote and reflect on recent advances in the use of Blockchain technologies for Industry 4.0 in Resilient Wireless Communications. We welcome novel research on modelling, algorithm design and implementation, optimization, and applications in the use of these technologies to support Industry 4.0 in Wireless Communications. 

Topics of particular interest include, but are not limited to: 

• Blockchain-based privacy and security in resilient wireless communications
• Performance overheads in utilizing Blockchain technologies
• Fog computing and Blockchain in resilient wireless communications
• Artificial intelligence-based smart contract
• Collaborative learning  and Blockchain for Industry 4.0
• Blockchain-IoT based PKI in resilient wireless communications
• Intelligence Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)
• Software defined reconfigurable wireless communication networks 
• Secured data aggregation communication protocol

Submission Guidelines

Prospective authors should prepare their submissions in accordance with the rules specified in the Information for Authors of the IEEE Wireless Communications Magazine guidelines. Authors should submit a PDF version of their complete manuscript to Manuscript Central. Select “June 2022/ Blockchain and Industry 4.0 in Resilient Wireless Communication” from the dropdown menu of topics.

Important Dates

Submission Deadline: 1 October 2021
Initial Decision Date: 1 December 2021
Revised Manuscript Due: 1 January 2022
Final Decision Date: 1 February 2022
Final Manuscript Due: 15 April 2022
Publication Date: June 2022

Guest Editors

Pradip Kumar Sharma
University of Aberdeen, UK

A. Senhaji Hafid
Université de Montréal, Canada

Omer Rana
Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK

R. Chandramouli
Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ, USA

Shuping Peng
Huawei Technologies Co.,Ltd., Beiijng, China