IoT Sensor-Node Generic Metamodel Supporting Real Time Device Emulation

The development of smart cities is increasingly driven by the Internet of Things (IoT), which introduces significant data flows and scalability challenges for urban networks. Integrating new sensors into large-scale, cost-effective, and sustainable infrastructures can disrupt existing network architectures. This paper presents a generic IoT sensor-node metamodel that supports the description and emulation of various sensor-node types, forming the foundation for a flexible emulation platform tailored to urban environments. The proposed solution includes a hardware and software architecture optimized for star topologies, employing low-cost, energy-efficient components, and a Bluetooth-enabled configuration framework. The approach addresses key challenges such as accurate device behavior replication, scalability, and security [1], and is adaptable to emerging connectivity standards including LoRaWAN and NB-IoT. By providing a robust platform for testing and emulation in real-world conditions, this work addresses a critical gap in the development and validation of IoT systems for smart cities. A prototype implementation demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of the solution, supporting the rapid deployment of reliable urban IoT applications [2].