Some applications of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) to the automobile are identified, and the use of Crossbow MICAz motes operating at 2.4 GHz is considered together with TinyOS support. These WSNs are conceived in order to measure, process and supply to the user diverse types of information during an automobile journey. Examples are acceleration and fuel consumption, identification of incorrect tire pressure, verification of illumination, and evaluation of the vital signals of the driver. A brief survey on WSNs concepts is presented, as well as the way the wireless sensor network itself was developed. Calibration curves were produced which allowed for obtaining luminous intensity and temperature values in the appropriate units. Aspects of the definition of the architecture and the choice/implementation of the protocols are identified. Security aspects are also addressed.

Some applications of Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to the automobile are identified, and the use of MICAz motes operating at 2.4GHz is considered together with TinyOS support. These WSNs are being conceived in order to measure, process and supply to the user diverse types of information during an automobile journey. Examples are acceleration and fuel consumption, identification of incorrect tire pressure, verification of illumination, and evaluation of the vital signals of the driver. A survey on WSNs concepts is presented, and the wireless sensor network itself (transmitter/receiver/control board) is developed. Aspects of the definition of the architecture and the choice/implementation of the protocols are identified. Security aspects are also addressed.

One of the major paradigm shifts that will be predictably observed in the energy mix is related to distribution networks. Until now, this type of electrical grid was characterized by an AC transmission. However, a new concept is emerging, as the electrical distribution networks characterized by DC transmission are beginning to be considered as a promising solution due to technological advances. In fact, we are now witnessing a proliferation of DC equipment associated with renewable energy sources, storage systems and loads. Thus, such equipment is beginning to be considered in different contexts. In this way, taking into consideration the requirement for the fast integration of this equipment into the existing electrical network, DC networks have started to become important. On the other hand, the importance of the development of these DC networks is not only due to the fact that the amount of DC equipment is becoming huge. When compared with the classical AC transmission systems, the DC networks are considered more efficient and reliable, not having any issues regarding the reactive power and frequency control and synchronization. Although much research work has been conducted, several technical aspects have not yet been defined as standard. This uncertainty is still an obstacle to a faster transition to this type of network. There are also other aspects that still need to be a focus of study and research in order to allow this technology to become a day-to-day solution. Finally, there are also many applications in which this kind of DC microgrid can be used, but they have still not been addressed. Thus, all these aspects are considered important challenges that need to be tackled. In this context, this paper presents an overview of the existing and possible solutions for this type of microgrid, as well as the challenges that need to be faced now.

A presente dissertação constitui uma análise do fenómeno megalítico no contexto da designada região de Terras de Sicó, localizada na área centro litoral do território português. Pretende-se, através dos dados disponíveis, definir um conjunto preciso de monumentos funerários megalíticos, representativo, enquanto conjunto, de um mesmo grupo megalítico, estabelecendo-se áreas preferenciais de implantação e práticas funerárias adotadas. Apresenta-se, como ponto principal deste trabalho, a realização de uma abordagem às técnicas construtivas empregues neste conjunto de monumentos, ao mesmo tempo que se define o tipo de material utilizado nas diversas construções. Procura-se estabelecer, em função dos materiais empregues nas estruturas, possíveis áreas de proveniência geológica do material utilizado, fazendo-se referência à proximidade de afloramentos rochosos nas áreas circundantes da localização dos monumentos, enquanto locais com recursos para obtenção da matéria-prima necessária.Reconhece-se, neste estudo, um conjunto de dez monumentos megalíticos, dispersos, segundo critérios administrativos, pelos concelhos representativos deste território (Alvaiázere, Ansião, Penela, Pombal e Soure). Os monumentos megalíticos deste conjunto evidenciam cronologias construtivas contemporâneas, do Neocalcolítico, formando um grupo composto por vários núcleos, geralmente de dois a três monumentos, com arquiteturas funerárias que se caraterizam pelas sua médias dimensões (entre os seis e sete metros de comprimento) e plantas evolucionadas (câmara e corredor de médios), que utilizam, nas suas construções, matéria-prima local, o calcário, extraído a cerca de um a dois quilómetros de distância das áreas de implantação das sepulturas.

The three major walled sites where the author conducted archaeological excavations - Leceia (Oeiras), between 1983 and 2002; Moita da Ladra (Vila Franca de Xira), between 2003 and 2006; and Outeiro Redondo (Sesimbra), between 2005 and 2016 - yielded a body of information of unquestionable relevance to our knowledge of architectures, stratigraphies and absolute datings. This data became essential for understanding the economy and social organisation of the populations that occupied this vast region, with its own cultural significance: the socalled ‘Chalcolithic of Extremadura’. In addition to this remarkable wealth of information, the exhumed archaeological remains have been thoroughly studied and published in detail. This paper will describe the main architectural features, both defensive and residential, of each site. Moreover, the archaeological assemblages will be enhanced based on the identification of artefacts that, given their typology, could provide objective information about the most relevant economic activities carried out by the sites’ inhabitants. Such conclusions, combined with the sites’ features, including their geographical location and size, led, for the first time, to conclusions on their functional nature and how they fitted into the demographic and economic fabric of the densely populated Lisbon/Setúbal peninsulas during the 3rd millennium BC.

A brave new world made of interconnected smart devices will soon revolutionize the world. The application of the Internet of Things vision will foster the creation of new businesses across different industrial sectors. Communication Service Providers need to set the pace of this change if they want to lead this transformation. They need to both leverage and evolve their architectures in order to support a flexible creation of innovative services over distributed networks, linking heterogeneous sensors and actuators. This paper presents the roles of the telecoms on the upcoming machine-to-machine markets and devises an advanced architecture able to withstand the demands of a new plethora of evermore clever and useful services.

Os três sítios muralhados de primeira grandeza em que o signatário dirigiu escavações arqueológicas: Leceia (Oeiras), entre 1983 e 2002; Moita da Ladra (Vila Franca de Xira), entre 2003 e 2006; e Outeiro Redondo (Sesimbra), entre 2005 e 2016, produziram um conjunto de informações de relevância incontornável para o conhecimento das arquitecturas, das estratigrafias, e da cronologia absoluta, tornados assim essenciais para o conhecimento da economia e organização social das populações que ocuparam aquela vasta região, com significado cultural próprio: o chamado “Calcolítico da Estremadura”. A esta notável informação, somou-se a respeitante aos espólios arqueológicos exumados, os quais se encontram presentemente totalmente estudados e publicados de forma detalhada. Nesta comunicação, depois de se apresentarem as principais características arquitectónicas, de natureza defensiva e habitacional, respeitantes a cada um deles, valorizaram-se os espólios arqueológicos a partir da identificação dos artefactos susceptíveis, pela sua tipologia, de fornecerem informação objectiva acerca das actividades económicas mais importantes desenvolvidas pelos respectivos habitantes. Tais conclusões, articuladas com as características dos próprios sítios, incluindo a sua implantação geográfica e dimensões, conduziu, pela primeira vez, a conclusões sobre natureza funcional de cada um deles e quanto à forma como os mesmos se integravam no tecido demográfico e económico das penínsulas de Lisboa/Setúbal no decurso do 3.º milénio a.C., região já então densamente povoada.

The three major fortified sites where the author conducted archaeological excavations - Leceia (Oeiras), between 1983 and 2002; Moita da Ladra (Vila Franca de Xira), between 2003 and 2006; and Outeiro Redondo (Sesimbra), between 2005 and 2016 - yielded a body of information of inquestionable relevance to our knowledge of architectures, stratigraphies and absolute datings. This data became essential for understanding the economy and social organisation of the populations that occupied this vast region, with its own cultural significance: the so-called "Chalcolithic of Estremadura". In addition to this remarkable wealth of information, the exhumed archaeological remains have been thoroughly studied and published in detail. This paper will describe the main architectural features, both defensive and residential, of each site including construction technologies and the use of different geological materials taking into account locally available resources. Such conclusions, combined with the geographical location and size of each site, along with the main economic activities provided by the typology of artifacts found, led, for the first time, to conclusions on their functional nature and how they fitted into the demographic and economic fabric of the densely populated Lower Estremadura region during the 3rd millennium BC.

Approximately 20 years ago, we initiated our research on the settlement of São Pedro, which has since produced an extensive bibliography. The aim of this paper is to provide the first part of an updated overview of the Chalcolithic occupation of São Pedro. Our analysis focuses here on the architectural sequence that marks the main rhythms of human activity during this period. We argue that São Pedro is best understood as a multifaceted locale, shaped by a complex biography that extends beyond its role as a fortified installation. Fortifications served purposes extended beyond mere aggregation and defence, also functioning as markers of identity. However, these structures did not always align with broader regional dynamics, which led to the abandonment of the walls, although not the site itself. It is proposed that a closure ritual marked the site's end, thereby maintaining São Pedro's social presence in the late 3rd millennium BC landscape even after its active occupation had ceased.