Statistical Analysis of Networks and Systems (SANS)

Statistical Analysis of Networks and Systems (SANS) is a research group of the Computer Architecture Department at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, in Barcelona (Spain). Together with the Distributed Systems Group it forms the CNDS (Computer Networks and Distributed Systems) research group.

Our main research lines are:

  • Use of machine learning techniques to analyze data captured with IoT devices, mainly applied to air quality monitoring, smart cities, and analysis of mobility patterns. We are currently working on advanced calibration techniques, and graph signal processing for analyzing data captured from sensor networks, to improve data quality, and to develop tools for automatic management of data quality. Some recent results are available at: analysis of sensory data . Currently, we are working on the national research project IMAQ on IoT monitoring of air quality.
  • Development of a robust system for obtaining experimental datasets of air quality measurements based on low-cost sensors (LCS). We have created our own monitoring systems created around the captor nodes. Currently, we are finalizing the development of our new node, Captor-4, which can measure concentrations of O3, NO2, NO, PMx, temperature, and relative humidity. A more detailed description of the Captor-4 nodes can be found here: Captor-4 description. Recently, we have coordinated the H2020 project CAPTOR (2016-2018) that ran three big pilots on tropospheric ozone monitoring in Austria, Italy and Spain, driven by grassroots activists and local communities. Using our previous nodes, Captor-2, we have generated datasets that can be found in: calibrated data 2017 ozone summer campaign, calibrated data 2018 ozone summer campaign, and raw data.
  • During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, we also have started a new research line on digital tools for pandemic mitigation. A protocol proposed by us, IDPT, to achieve interoperability between centralized digital contact tracing protocols (e.g. ROBERT used by France) and decentralized protocols (e.g. DP3T/GAEN used by many other European countries), is included in the ETSI GS E4P 007 of the ETSI Europe for Privacy-Preserving Pandemic Protection (E4P) working group.
  • The SANS research group started a collaboration with REPSOL S.A (January/2023-June/2025) on the "Quantum Cognitive Digital Industry" project (CDTI missions 2022) to analyse data quality in IoT platforms using quantum techniques.
  • The SANS research group started national project PID2022-138155OB-I00 "Data-driven techniques for improving data-quality in networks of IoT nodes (DIDEROT)" in Sept 2024 (ending in Sept 2027). DIDEROT project aims to investigate the application of data-driven techniques for obtaining maximum accuracy in the data captured by IoT devices equipped with low-cost sensors. The main outcome of the project will be techniques to optimizing data quality while reducing the acquisition, maintenance and operation costs of monitoring networks, with applications to a wide range of fields. Our research activities will produced beyond the state-of-the-art techniques applied to IoT monitoring networks by applying ML&AI techniques, such as deep learning, graphical signal processing, graph neural networks, sparse signal reconstruction and quantum algorithms, among others, to improve data quality at the capture, estimation and network-wide processing layers in IoT monitoring networks. Our research is based on the use of experimental data.
  • The SANS research group started regional project 2023 CLIMA 0097 "Under the skin of the city: Urban simulations for nature-based solutions (URBANAT)" in Feb 2024 (ending in Jan 2026). URBANAT project will develop a digital-twin (DT) of Barcelona city for the prediction of thermal stress and air pollution scenarios. URBANAT will leverage the use of deep neural networks (DNNs), trained and validated using high-fidelity datasets and in situ measurements, together with IoT technology, to provide reliable, real-time predictions of the urban environment.

If you are interested in following a PhD in our research group, please, send us an email (jose.maria.barcelo at upc.edu or to jorge.garcia at upc.edu). We regularly have access to PhD grants. Openings are usually published during July-September.

The research group SANS looks for motivated candidates to pursue a doctoral thesis in the “Computer Architecture" PhD programme , in Barcelona, Spain. We are looking for candidates with a solid background in applied mathematics, machine learning, statistics or signal processing techniques. Degrees we are considering include (but are not limited to): applied mathematics, physics, computer science, or electrical and telecommunication engineering. We are looking for candidates with a strong research orientation, and interested in the application of research to solve problems of practical interest. Contact: send CV and gradings of BSc and MSc to the attention of Prof. Jorge Garcia-Vidal and Prof. Jose M. Barcelo-Ordinas. Please send the email to both.


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