DAViM: a dynamically adaptable virtual machine for sensor networks

ABSTRACT

Sensor networks are being deployed for substantial periods of activity, and are being used by multiple applications with possibly diverse requirements. Since manually upgrading or updating sensor software is often impossible, run-time software reconfiguration represents a considerable success factor for many practical usage scenarios of sensor networks. This paper presents DAViM, the Distrinet Adaptable Virtual Machine and describes how it allows to customize sensor behavior, to extend its functionality and to execute multiple applications in parallel. We have evaluated the proposed architecture by implementing a proof-of-concept prototype on micaZ hardware. First results indicate that it is already feasible to run the DAViM core on micaZ hardware, while memory requirements of the full DAViM implementation are close enough to fit on more recent sensor hardware.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.4 Distributed Systems
          Subjects: Distributed applications

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
        D.2.11 Software Architectures
            Subjects: Domain-specific architectures

General Terms:
Design, Management

Keywords:
adaptability, sensor middleware, software architecture