Semantic data aggregation in heterogeneous learning environments

The Internet of Things paradigm is gaining momentum as the number of interconnected devices is continually increasing. The paper approaches the interoperability of these devices that is still a challenge because of different communication protocols and data representation formats. Rather than working independently, these individual devices would collaborate and exchange structured information instead of raw data. The paper presents an intermediate non-expensive step towards improving the interoperability of heterogeneous sensor sub-nets in an university instrumentation lab, by using semantic annotated data. Being integrated with modern solutions for eLearning in engineering - like “instrumentation as a service” and “experiment as a service” - this approach aims at ontological integration in a Cloud enabled with advanced capabilities of discovery, interpretation, aggregation and management of heterogeneous instrumental networks.