EgoSpaces: facilitating rapid development of context-aware mobile applications

Today's mobile applications require constant adaptation to their changing environments, or contexts. Technological advances have increased the pervasiveness of mobile computing devices such as laptops, handhelds, and embedded sensors. The sheer amount of context information available for adaptation places a heightened burden on application developers as they must manage and utilize vast amounts of data from diverse sources. Facilitating programming in this data-rich environment requires a middleware that provides context information to applications in an abstract form. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of such a middleware that allows programmers to focus on high-level interactions among programs and to employ declarative abstract context specifications in settings that exhibit transient interactions with opportunistically encountered components. We also discuss the novel context-aware abstractions the middleware provides and the programming knowledge necessary to write applications using it. Finally, we provide examples demonstrating the infrastructure's ability to support differing tasks from a wide variety of application domains.     

Efficient profile aggregation and policy evaluation in a middleware for adaptive mobile applications

There is a large consensus on the need for a middleware to efficiently support adaptation in pervasive and mobile computing. Advanced forms of adaptation require the aggregation of context data and the evaluation of policy rules that are typically provided by multiple sources. This paper addresses the problem of designing the reasoning core of a middleware that supports these tasks, while guaranteeing very low response times as required by mobile applications. Technically, the paper presents strategies to deal with conflicting rules, algorithms that implement the strategies, and algorithms that detect and solve potential rule cycles. A detailed experimental analysis supports the theoretical results and shows the applicability of the resulting middleware in large-scale applications.     

普适计算环境下基于构件化中间件的上下文管理技术研究

上下文相关技术已经成为普适计算环境中用于应用服务的不可或缺的核心技术之一。对于基于构件的中间件来说,对高性能的上下文管理的需求更是必不可少,因为它构成了普适计算环境中构件适配和部署的重要基础。因此,在已有构件中间件的基础上,我们针对普适计算环境的特点提出了一种整体的上下文管理方法,将上下文管理集成在已有的构件化中间件中。应用表明,该方法能够更好地支持普适计算环境下上下文相关的构件化应用开发。     

MobiPADS: a reflective middleware for context-aware mobile computing

Traditionally, middleware technologies, such as CORBA, Java RMI, and Microsoft's DCOM, have provided a set of distributed computing services that essentially abstract the underlying network services to a monolithic "black box." In a mobile operating environment, the fundamental assumption of middleware abstracting a unified distributed service for all types of applications operating over a static network infrastructure is no longer valid. In particular, mobile applications are not able to leverage the benefits of adaptive computing to optimize its computation based on current contextual situations. In this paper, we introduce the Mobile Platform for Actively Deployable Service (MobiPADS) system. MobiPADS is designed to support context-aware processing by providing an executing platform to enable active service deployment and reconfiguration of the service composition in response to environments of varying contexts. Unlike most mobile middleware, MobiPADS supports dynamic adaptation at both the middleware and application layers to provide flexible configuration of resources to optimize the operations of mobile applications. Within the MobiPADS system, services (known as mobilets) are configured as chained service objects to provide augmented services to the underlying mobile applications so as to alleviate the adverse conditions of a wireless environment.     

A pluggable middleware architecture for developing context-aware mobile applications

The proliferation of powerful smartphone devices provides a great opportunity for context-aware mobile applications becoming mainstream. However, we argue that conventional software development techniques suffer because of the added complexity required for collecting and managing context information. This paper presents a component-based middleware architecture which facilitates the development and deployment of context-aware applications via reusable components. The main contribution of this approach is the combination of a development methodology with the middleware architecture, which together bring significant value to developers of context-aware applications. Further contributions include the following: The methodology utilizes separation of concerns, thus decreasing the developmental cost and improving the productivity. The design and implementation of context-aware applications are also eased via the use of reusable components, called context plug-ins. Finally, the middleware architecture facilitates the deployment and management of the context plug-ins in a resource-aware manner. The proposed methodology and middleware architecture are evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively.     

基于上下文感知移动中间件的研究与设计

移动环境和设备的限制,给移动开发带来了挑战。移动中间件能够为移动应用开发提供了一个很好的基础平台。叙述了自适应机制在中间件层实现的必要性,分析了传统面向对象中间件应用在移动计算环境中的不足。根据移动应用的需求,提出了一个基于上下文感知的移动中间件体系结构。     

A comprehensive solution for application‐level adaptation

Driven by the emergence of mobile and pervasive computing there is a growing demand for context‐aware software systems that can dynamically adapt to their run‐time environment. We present the results of project MADAM that has delivered a comprehensive solution for the development and operation of context‐aware, self‐adaptive applications. The main contributions of MADAM are (a) a sophisticated middleware that supports the dynamic adaptation of component‐based applications, and (b) an innovative model‐driven development methodology that is based on abstract adaptation models and corresponding model‐to‐code transformations. MADAM has demonstrated the viability of a general, integrated approach to application‐level adaptation. We discuss our experiences with two real‐world case studies that were built using the MADAM approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Context-aware RAON middleware for opportunistic network

Application development and deployment on Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANET) is a major challenge in the widespread use of MANET. The increasing D2D communication in 5G networks has renewed interest in an effective middleware design for MANET where application developers face various challenges such as unstable connectivity, high error rate, mobility induced disruption and disconnection, and limited battery power. We find that unstructured overlay network provides a good abstraction to facilitate application development and deployment on MANET. In this paper, we present the design of a middleware that builds a Resource-Aware Overlay Network (RAON), which is an unstructured overlay network of nodes engaged in the application that employs a query–reply mechanism for resource discovery. RAON is enhanced with features such as proactive neighbor replacement, congestion-aware data download and cooperative caching. Simulation results show that these features are effective in reducing query delay, improving data availability, and balancing node power consumption with protocol performance. We also present the middleware software design that offers the API based on node and path abstractions to applications. The middleware implements a generic context framework for acquiring device and user context. We discuss the implementation of application-level multicast and credit-based file-sharing applications using the middleware API. The middleware is implemented in Java J2ME on Android, which is tested in an ad hoc network of Nexus 7 devices running OLSR.     

具有动态适应能力的移动应用中间件研究与设计

由于移动终端硬件以及操作系统的多样性,研究了如何解决移动应用的适应性和实现敏捷开发的问题。讨论当前解决移动应用适应性的4种思路,提出移动应用中间件的设计与部署模式。描述了中间件功能设计与实现技术,通过多个项目的实施表明,设计的中间件能较好地解决移动应用的终端适应性,极大提高了应用开发和部署效率。最后指出了下一步的研发计划。     

基于多层数据处理的嵌入式RFID中间件系统开发

针对大规模RFID应用环境特点,研究了具有流数据处理和语义分析功能的中间件体系结构及信息处理关键技术,在处理海量电子标签数据的基础上,融合了数据感知、事件处理和嵌入式Web服务功能。在嵌入式应用环境下提出了资源任务调度优化策略,为上层应用提供统一的标准服务和运行环境,来实现对不同硬件资源的屏蔽,有针对性地解决多层数据处理中存在的难点,以便于未来RFID业务的部署和更新。     

Utilizing architectural styles to enhance the adaptation support of middleware platforms

ContextModern middleware platforms provide the applications deployed on top of them with facilities for their adaptation. However, the level of adaptation support provided by the state-of-the-art middleware solutions is often limited to dynamically loading and off-loading of software components. Therefore, it is left to the application developers to handle the details of change such that the system’s consistency is not jeopardized.ObjectiveWe aim to change the status quo by providing the middleware facilities necessary to ensure the consistency of software after adaptation. We would like these facilities to be reusable across different applications, such that the middleware can streamline the process of achieving safe adaptation.MethodOur approach addresses the current shortcomings by utilizing the information encoded in a software system’s architectural style. This information drives the development of reusable adaptation patterns. The patterns specify both the exact sequence of changes and the time at which those changes need to occur. We use the patterns to provide advanced adaptation support on top of an existing architectural middleware platform.ResultsOur experience shows the feasibility of deriving detailed adaptation patterns for several architectural styles. Applying the middleware to adapt two real-world software systems shows the approach is effective in consistently adapting these systems without jeopardizing their consistency.ConclusionWe conclude the approach is effective in alleviating the application developers from the responsibility of managing the adaptation process at the application-level. Moreover, we believe this study provides the foundation for changing the way adaptation support is realized in middleware solutions.     

支持上下文感知应用程序的动态自适应中间件框架

上下文感知计算是当前开发和部署智能应用不可或缺的关键技术之一。上下文能否在计算中真正发挥其作用,主要取决于两方面：一是如何连续稳定地从动态交互环境中获取高质量上下文,二是如何推理上下文并制定适应决策。为了实现上述目标,设计了一个分层的中间件框架,该中间件能够根据上下文质量参数,动态地选择能提供高质量上下文的信息源,并对这些原始上下文进行预处理和推理,进而自动地制定适应决策为用户提供合适的服务。实验测试了平台的性能,并与同类系统进行了比较,结果表明该中间件能够快速有效地支持上下文感知应用的开发部署,并且在计算性能方面有显著提高。     

FollowMeLite：用于普适计算的轻量级中间件平台

普适计算的目标是让环境和计算资源紧密结合，以便更好地为人类服务。为达到这一目标，移动设备和嵌入式设备构成了环境中计算资源的重要组成部分。然而，由于移动设备和嵌入式设备的计算资源有限，网络连接的多样性和不稳定性以及软硬件的异构性，开发用于这些设备的上下文感知应用复杂并且费时，其根本原因是缺乏一个统一的平台支持。为解决这一问题，我们提出了一种用于普适计算的轻量级中间件平台，叫做FollowMeLite。FollowMeLite是整个FollowMe普适计算基础结构中的一部分。它构建在OSGi之上，集成了基于本体的上下文模型和基于工作流的应用模型以及用于适应多种网络连接的通讯服务。通过部署不同的组件模块，FollowMeLite可以方便的适用于多种应用环境。     

An efficient model-based methodology for developing device-independent mobile applications

Current methodologies for developing mobile applications are mostly based on the application programming interfaces (APIs) offered by the native platform. Hence, most solutions are characterized by a low portability and/or reusability. In this paper, we propose a novel methodology based on a declarative and device-independent approach for developing event-driven mobile applications. The methodology relies on: (i) an abstract mobile device based on the user interface markup language; (ii) a content adaptation mechanism based on user preferences; (iii) a context adaptation mechanism based on a standardized context of delivery; (iv) a uniform set of client-side APIs based on an interface object model; (v) an efficient transformational model.More specifically, in the design phase, the application is modeled as platform-independent on the abstract mobile device. In the execution phase, the application is automatically tailored to the specific platform on the basis of the content and context adaptation mechanisms. We describe the analysis, design and implementation of a framework, called MODIF, which supports the proposed methodology, and show its application to the development of both business and consumer real-world applications on Apple iPhone? and Google Android? mobile devices. Finally, we discuss how the experience of using MODIF highlights the quality of the methodology in terms of automation of the lifecycle, expressiveness and readability of the representation, efficiency of the compilation/interpretation, fast learning curve and predictability.     

Pervaho: A specialized middleware for mobile context-aware applications

The concept of context-awareness offers a great potential for the future of mobile applications. In order to be developed in an optimal way, mobile context-aware applications need appropriate middleware services. This paper introduces Pervaho, an integrated middleware aimed specifically at supporting the development and testing of mobile context-aware applications. To illustrate the use of Pervaho, we walk through the development of a concrete mobile application and show how it can be built on top of Pervaho’s location-based publish/subscribe service. We also illustrate how a specialized mobility testing tool significantly simplifies the process of testing proximity-based semantics. We then present the implementation of Pervaho, which is based on a set of communication protocols geared at mesh networks. Finally, we provide a performance analysis of our implementation.     

A resource and context model for mobile middleware

Mobile computing systems should be self-managed to simplify operation and maintenance plus meet user’s expectation with respect to Quality of Service (QoS). When architecting self-managed mobile computing systems, one must take a holistic view on both QoS management and the entities in the mobile environment. This paper presents a novel model that includes both resources and context elements. To illustrate the usefulness of the model, it is applied to a video streaming application by: (1) modelling context elements and resources in the environment, (2) specifying context dependencies and QoS characteristics of the application, and (3) designing weakly integrated resource and context managers. We describe a middleware that uses the developed managers when evaluating context dependencies and predict offered QoS of alternative implementations of the application. In order to select the one that can operate in the current environment and that best satisfies given user preferences.     

CARISMA: context-aware reflective middleware system for mobile applications

Mobile devices, such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants, have gained wide-spread popularity. These devices will increasingly be networked, thus enabling the construction of distributed applications that have to adapt to changes in context, such as variations in network bandwidth, battery power, connectivity, reachability of services and hosts, etc. In this paper, we describe CARISMA, a mobile computing middleware which exploits the principle of reflection to enhance the construction of adaptive and context-aware mobile applications. The middleware provides software engineers with primitives to describe how context changes should be handled using policies. These policies may conflict. We classify the different types of conflicts that may arise in mobile computing and argue that conflicts cannot be resolved statically at the time applications are designed, but, rather, need to be resolved at execution time. We demonstrate a method by which policy conflicts can be handled; this method uses a microeconomic approach that relies on a particular type of sealed-bid auction. We describe how this method is implemented in the CARISMA middleware architecture and sketch a distributed context-aware application for mobile devices to illustrate how the method works in practice. We show, by way of a systematic performance evaluation, that conflict resolution does not imply undue overheads, before comparing our research to related work and concluding the paper.     

The SATIN Component System-A Metamodel for Engineering Adaptable Mobile Systems

Mobile computing devices, such as personal digital assistants and mobile phones, are becoming increasingly popular, smaller, and more capable. We argue that mobile systems should be able to adapt to changing requirements and execution environments. Adaptation requires the ability-to reconfigure the deployed code base on a mobile device. Such reconfiguration is considerably simplified if mobile applications are component-oriented rather than monolithic blocks of code. We present the SATIN (system adaptation targeting integrated networks) component metamodel, a lightweight local component metamodel that offers the flexible use of logical mobility primitives to reconfigure the software system by dynamically transferring code. The metamodel is implemented in the SATIN middleware system, a component-based mobile computing middleware that uses the mobility primitives defined in the metamodel to reconfigure both itself and applications that it hosts. We demonstrate the suitability of SATIN in terms of lightweightedness, flexibility, and reusability for the creation of adaptable mobile systems by using it to implement, port, and evaluate a number of existing and new applications, including an active network platform developed for satellite communication at the European space agency. These applications exhibit different aspects of adaptation and demonstrate the flexibility of the approach and the advantages gained     

Application-level QoS control for video-on-demand

User requirements and device heterogeneity call for Web services with differentiated quality of service (QoS). In particular, services with response-time constraints, such as video-on-demand (VoD), require the differentiation, control, and dynamic adaptation of QoS. Service providers and network operators need methodologies and mechanisms for managing runtime QoS. Using mobile agent technology, the ubiQoS middleware supports QoS tailoring and adaptation of video-on-demand flows in response to user preferences and terminal properties. The design, implementation, and deployment of QoS-aware Internet services can significantly benefit from a middleware approach at the application level. Our experimental results show the feasibility of application-level middleware solutions based on code mobility for Internet VoD services with differentiated QoS.