Reflective middleware for heterogeneous sensor networks

ABSTRACT

The use of sensor networks in sophisticated applications is emerging as a new trend. However, the integration and coordination of heterogeneous sensors is still a challenge, especially when the target application scenario is susceptible to constant changes. Such systems must adapt themselves in order to fulfill requirements that can also change during the system runtime. Moreover, the changes that occur in such scenarios require services located at different places during the system runtime. Due to the dynamicity of this context, system adaptations must take place very quickly, requiring that decisions for adaptation are taken autonomously by the system without waiting for human operator's directions. Thus a reflective behavior must be provided. This paper presents a reflective middleware that supports reflective behaviors to address adaptation needs of heterogeneous sensor networks deployed in dynamic scenarios. This middleware presents specific handling of concerns related to real-time, service adaptation and resource allocation through network reasoning. These concerns are addressed mainly by the use of mobile and multi-agents, and aspect-oriented concepts. The use of multi-agents represents the spreading of intelligence over the network, while the mobile-agents provide service adaptation by code mobility. In the same direction, aspects address behavioral adaptations related to crosscutting concerns.

REFERENCES

• 1: E. P. Freitas, et al. DERAF: A High-Level Aspects Framework for Distributed Embedded Real-Time Systems Design. In: Proc. of 10th International Workshop on Early Aspects, Springer, 2007, pp. 55--74.
• 2: E. P. Freitas, et al. "Using Aspects and Component Concepts to Improve Reuse of Software for Embedded Systems Product Lines", Proc of 13th Early Aspects Workshop at SPLC'08, 2008.
• 3: E. P. Freitas, et al. "Reflective Middleware to Support Mission-Driven Heterogeneous Sensor Networks", Proc. of Workshop on Sensor Networks and Applications, 2008.
• 4: P. GIL et al. Data centric middleware for the integration of wireless sensor networks and mobile robots. In Proc. of 7th ROBOTICA'07. 2007.

INDEX TERMS

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

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
        D.2.11 Software Architectures
            Subjects: Patterns (e.g., client/server, pipeline, blackboard)

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
        I.2.11 Distributed Artificial Intelligence
            Subjects: Multiagent systems
      I.2.9 Robotics
          Subjects: Autonomous vehicles; Sensors

General Terms:
Design, Management, Performance

Keywords:
dynamic scenarios, heterogeneous sensors, self-adaptation