Motivation
Dynamically changing embedded networks containing a multitude
of networked nodes with diverse sensing, acting, and processing
capabilities are emerging in various application fields. The development
of these networks poses several challenges: complexity and size of the network,
heterogeneity of nodes, and infrastructure dynamics, e.g. by temporarily
available or mobile nodes. From other IT domains it is known
that many of these challenges can be met by a Service Oriented Architecture
(SOA). In the context of embedded networks, an application can
be interpreted as a set of interacting services that produce, consume,
or manipulate data. However, the common concepts of SOAs cannot be
directly mapped to embedded networks, because of the hard boundary
conditions, such as limited resources and real time requirements.
The eSOA project aimes at providing an adapted SOA paradigm for embedded
network that supports the execution and development of service oriented
applications for embedded networks. A primary research goal thereby is
the development of concepts for (semi-)automatic service composition and
intuitive programming paradigms for untrained end-users.
Research topics
- Applying service oriented programming principles during the application development for embedded networks
- Support for heterogeneous hard- and software landscapes through model based code generation
- Development of intuitive end-user programming paradigms
- (Semi-)automatic service composition for SOAs
- Binary XML formats for efficient transmission and processing of XML data
- Metadata based service description
- Semantic data descriptions for SOAs
Current status
We implemented a basic prototype of an embedded SOA platform and a demonstrator for a home automation scenario, which provides cost effiecient management of power consumption