Catálogo de publicaciones - libros

We present TinyOS, a flexible, application-specific operating system for sensor networks, which form a core component of ambient intelligence systems. Sensor networks consist of (potentially) thousands of tiny, low-power nodes, each of which execute concurrent, reactive programs that must operate with severe memory and power constraints. The sensor network challenges of limited resources, event-centric concurrent applications, and low-power operation drive the design of TinyOS. Our solution combines flexible, fine-grain components with an execution model that supports complex yet safe concurrent operations. TinyOS meets these challenges well and has become the platform of choice for sensor network research; it is in use by over a hundred groups worldwide, and supports a broad range of applications and research topics. We provide a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the system, showing that it supports complex, concurrent programs with very low memory requirements (many applications fit within 16KB of memory, and the core OS is 400 bytes) and efficient, low-power operation.We present our experiences with TinyOS as a platform for sensor network innovation and applications.

Ambient intelligence has the potential to profoundly affect future building operations. Recent breakthroughs in wireless sensor network technology will permit, (1) highly flexible location of sensors and actuators, (2) increased numbers and types of sensors informing more highly distributed control systems, (3) occupants’ involvement in control loops, (4) demand responsive electricity management, (5) integration among now-separate building systems, and (6) the adoption of mixed-mode and other new types of air conditioning systems that require more sensor information to operate efficiently. This chapter describes the issues with current building automation technology, assesses how some applications of wireless sensor technology can increase the quality of control and improve energy efficiency, and suggests opportunities for future development.

Visions of ambient intelligence and ubiquitous computing involve integrating tiny microelectronic processors and sensors into everyday objects in order to make them “smart.” Smart things can explore their environment, communicate with other smart things, and interact with humans, therefore helping users to cope with their tasks in new, intuitive ways. Although many concepts have already been tested out as prototypes in field trials, the repercussions of such extensive integration of computer technology into our everyday lives are difficult to predict. This contribution is a first attempt to classify the social, economic, and ethical implications of this development.

As technologies in the area of storage, connectivity and displays evolve rapidly and business developments point to the direction of the experience economy, the vision of Ambient Intelligence is positioning human needs central to technology development. This chapter describes concerted research efforts surrounding the HomeLab, a special research instrument that supports scientific investigations of the interaction between humans and technology. Such investigations reach beyond traditional usability and technology acceptance, aiming to characterize the nature of user experiences, measuring them and designing them. Starting from a historical view upon the vision of Ambient Intelligence, this chapter presents the HomeLab, the rationale for its set-up and three related studies that were conducted within it. These studies have focused on technology use at home for leisure purposes; more specifically they have explored the experience of immersion from displays that extend beyond screen boundaries to encompass the lighting in a room, and the experience of social presence and connectedness with remote friends and family as they result from peripheral awareness displays.

Classically, packaging consists of assembly, interconnection and passivation. The technological advances in miniaturization, however, have changed all three aspects and have moved the focus onto system integration. Instead of developing hardware, software and technology separately, the whole system has to be considered and optimized for a further size reduction. The following chapter discusses the design and realization of tiny, highly integrated devices. It will show interdependenc es between the miniaturization techniques as well as the design of hardware and software. Initially several system aspects will be mentioned. Thereafter the integration technologies will be reflected in more detail.

We briefly review the concept of ambient intelligence and discuss its relation with the domain of intelligent algorithms. By means of four examples of ambient intelligent systems, we argue that new computing methods and quantification measures are needed to bridge the gap between the class of existing algorithms and the ones that are needed to realize ambient intelligence. These examples include quality of experience, private recommender systems, intentional search, and multimodal user awareness. The major differences between the classical and novel approaches are formulated in terms of a number of challenges for the design and analysis of intelligent algorithms.