New paper accepted for ICUMT 09'

Xin He, and Frank Y. Li, "Cooperative RTS/CTS MAC Protocol with Relay Selection in Distributed Wireless Networks", International Conference on Ultra Modern Telecommunications (ICUMT), St.-Petersberg, Russia, 12-14 Oct. 2009.

New paper accepted for WiMob 09

Hongzhi Jiao, and Frank Y. Li, "Cooperative Medium Access Control in Wireless Networks: the Two-hop Case", The 5th IEEE International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Computing, Networking and Communications (WiMob 2009), Marrakech, Morocco, October 12th-14th, 2009.

New paper accepted for PIMRC '09

Lei Jiao, and Frank Y. Li, 'MAC Strategies for Single Rendezvous Multihop Cognitive Radio Networks', The 20th IEEE Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications Symposium 2009 (IEEE PIMRC’09), Tokyo, Japan, September 13-16, 2009.

New paper accepted for 34th Annual IEEE Conference on Local Computer Networks (LCN)

Lei Jiao and Frank Y. Li, "Single Radio Based Channel Datarate Aware Parallel Rendezvous MAC Protocol for Cognitive Radio Networks", 34th Annual IEEE Conference on Local Computer Networks (LCN), Zürich, Switzerland, October 20-23., 2009

[ARG] Paper discussion, Week 28, 09'

T. Kindberg et al., “People, Places, Things: Web Presence for the Real World,” Proc. 3rd IEEE Workshop Mobile Computing Systems and Applications (WMCSA 00), IEEE CS Press, 2000, p. 19–28.

Abstract

The convergence of Web technology, wireless networks, and portable client devices provides new design opportunities for computer/communications systems. In the HP Labs’ “Cooltown” project we have been exploring these opportunities through an infrastructure to support “web presence” for people, places and things. We put web servers into things like printers and put information into web servers about things like artwork; we group physically related things into places embodied in web servers. Using URLs for ddressing, physical URL beaconing and sensing of URLs for discovery, and localized web servers for directories, we can create a location-aware but ubiquitous system to support nomadic users. On top of this infrastructure we can leverage Internet connectivity to support communications services. Web presence bridges the World Wide Web and the physical world we inhabit, providing a model for supporting nomadic users without a central control point.

[ARG] Paper discussion, Week 24, 09'

Damiani, E.; De Capitani di Vimercati, S.; Samarati, P., "Managing multiple and dependable identities," Internet Computing, IEEE , vol.7, no.6, pp. 29-37, Nov.-Dec. 2003

Abstract

Digital management of multiple robust identities is a crucial issue in developing the next generation of distributed applications. Our daily activities increasingly rely on remote resources and services - specifically, on interactions between different, remotely located parties. Because these parties might (and sometimes should) know little about each other, digital identities - electronic representations of individuals' or organizations' sensitive information - help introduce them to each other and control the amount of information transferred. In its broadest sense, identity management encompasses definitions and life-cycle management for digital identities and profiles, as well as environments for exchanging and validating such information. Digital identity management - especially support for identity dependability and multiplicity - is crucial for building and maintaining trust relationships in today's globally interconnected society. We investigate the problems inherent in identity management, emphasizing the requirements for multiplicity and dependability. We enable a new generation of advanced MDDI services on the global information infrastructure.

[ARG] Paper discussion, Week 23, 09'

Adjie-Winoto, W., Schwartz, E., Balakrishnan, H., and Lilley, J. 2000. The design and implementation of an intentional naming system. SIGOPS Oper. Syst. Rev. 34, 2 (Apr. 2000), 22. DOI= http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/346152.346192

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of the Intentional Naming System (INS), a resource discovery and service location system for dynamic and mobile networks of devices and computers. Such environments require a naming system that is (i) expressive, to describe and make requests based on specific properties of services, (ii) responsive, to track changes due to mobility and performance, (iii) robust, to handle failures, and (iv) easily configurable. INS uses a simple language based on attributes and values for its names. Applications use the language to describe what they are looking for (i.e., their intent), not where to find things (i.e., not hostnames). INS implements a late binding mechanism that integrates name resolution and message routing, enabling clients to continue communicating with end-nodes even if the name-to-address mappings change while a session is in progress. INS resolvers self-configure to form an application-level overlay network, which they use to discover new services, perform late binding, and maintain weak consistency of names using soft-state name exchanges and updates. We analyze the performance of the INS algorithms and protocols, present measurements of a Java-based implementation, and describe three applications we have implemented that demonstrate the feasibility and utility of INS.

New paper accepted for NGMAST09

A. Häber, J. R. De Mier Gómez, F. Reichert, "Virtualization of Remote Devices and Services in Residential Networks," 3rd International Conference and Exhibition on Next Generation Mobile Applications, Services and Technologies (NGMAST 2009), Cardiff, Wales, 2009.

Abstract

So far remote access solutions for residential services require modifications to clients. In addition, remote access adds complexity to the client application. We propose here a solution that decouples remote access from the client itself with an entity that creates virtual instances of remote services in a local network. Thereby, clients will be able to discover the virtual instance and use it. Moreover, client applications do not need to distinguish between local and remote services hence reducing complexity.

Further info on the conference is available at:
http://www.comp.glam.ac.uk/NGMAST09/

[ARG] (AML Reading Group) We're back on business

Kruchten, P. 1995. Architecture blueprints—the “4+1” view model of software architecture. In Tutorial Proceedings on Tri-Ada '91: Ada's Role in Global Markets: Solutions For A Changing Complex World (Anaheim, California, United States, November 05 - 10, 1995). D. Cook, Ed. TRI-Ada '95. ACM, New York, NY, 540-555. DOI= http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/216591.216611

Abstract

This article presents a model for describing the architecture of software-intensive systems, based on the use of multiple, concurrent views. This use of multiple views allows to address separately the concerns of the various ‘stakeholders’ of the architecture: end-user, developers, systems engineers, project managers, etc., and to handle separately the functional and non functional requirements. Each of the five views is described, together with a notation to capture it. The views are designed using an architecture-centered, scenario- driven, iterative development process.

Metochi study trip - paper discussion - Day 5

Hartmann, J., Sutcliffe, A., and Angeli, A. D. 2008. "Towards a theory of user judgment of aesthetics and user interface quality". ACM Trans. Comput.-Hum. Interact. 15, 4 (Nov. 2008), 1-30. DOI= http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/1460355.1460357

Abstract

The article introduces a framework for users' design quality judgments based on Adaptive Decision Making theory. The framework describes judgment on quality attributes (usability, content/functionality, aesthetics, customisation and engagement) with dependencies on decision making arising from the user's background, task and context. The framework is tested and refined by three experimental studies. The first two assessed judgment of quality attributes of websites with similar content but radically different designs for aesthetics and engagement. Halo effects were demonstrated whereby attribution of good quality on one attribute positively influenced judgment on another, even in the face of objective evidence to the contrary (e.g., usability errors). Users' judgment was also shown to be susceptible to framing effects of the task and their background. These appear to change the importance order of the quality attributes; hence, quality assessment of a design appears to be very context dependent. The third study assessed the influence of customisation by experiments on mobile services applications, and demonstrated that evaluation of customisation depends on the users' needs and motivation. The results are discussed in the context of the literature on aesthetic judgment, user experience and trade-offs between usability and hedonic/ludic design qualities.

Metochi study trip - paper discussion - Day 4

J. Scott, J. Crowcroft, P. Hui, and C. Diot, “Haggle: a Networking
Architecture Designed Around Mobile Users,” Proceedings of the Third
Annual Conference on Wireless On-demand Network Systems and Services,
2006, pp. 86, 78.

Abstract

Current mobile computing applications are infrastructure-centric, due to the IP-based API that these applications are written around. This causes many frustrations for end users, whose needs might be easily met with local
connectivity resources but whose applications do not support this (e.g. emailing someone sitting next to you when there is no wireless access point). We identify the general scenario faced by the user of Pocket Switched Networking (PSN), and discuss why the IP-based status quo does not cope well in this environment. We present a set of architectural principles for PSN, and the high-level design of Haggle, our asynchronous, data-centric network architecture which addresses this environment by
“raising” the API so that applications can provide the network with application-layer data units (ADUs) with high-level metadata concerning ADU identification, security and delivery to user-named endpoints.

Metochi study trip - paper discussion - Day 3

D. D. Clark, J. Wroclawski, K. R. Sollins, and R. Braden, "Tussle in cyberspace: defining tomorrow's internet", IEEE/ACM Trans. Netw., vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 462-475, June 2005. [Online]. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TNET.2005.850224

Abstract

The architecture of the Internet is based on a number of principles, including the self-describing datagram packet, the end-to-end arguments, diversity in technology and global addressing. As the Internet has moved from a research curiosity to a recognized component of mainstream society, new requirements have emerged that suggest new design principles, and perhaps suggest that we revisit some old ones. This paper explores one important reality that surrounds the Internet today: different stakeholders that are part of the Internet milieu have interests that may be adverse to each other, and these parties each vie to favor their particular interests. We call this process "the tussle." Our position is that accommodating this tussle is crucial to the evolution of the network's technical architecture. We discuss some examples of tussle, and offer some technical design principles that take it into account.

Metochi study trip - paper discussion - Day 2

Campbell, A.T.; Eisenman, S.B.; Lane, N.D.; Miluzzo, E.; Peterson, R.A.; Hong Lu; Xiao Zheng; Musolesi, M.; Fodor, K.; Gahng-Seop Ahn, "The Rise of People-Centric Sensing", Internet Computing, IEEE , vol.12, no.4, pp.12-21, July-Aug. 2008
URL: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=4557974&isnumber=4557967

Abstract

Technological advances in sensing, computation, storage, and communications will turn the near-ubiquitous mobile phone into a global mobile sensing device. People-centric sensing will help drive this trend by enabling a different way to sense, learn, visualize, and share information about ourselves, friends, communities, the way we live, and the world we live in. It juxtaposes the traditional view of mesh sensor networks with one in which people, carrying mobile devices, enable opportunistic sensing coverage. In the MetroSense Project's vision of people-centric sensing, users are the key architectural system component, enabling a host of new application areas such as personal, public, and social sensing.

Metochi study trip - paper discussion - Day 1

Paper 1

I. G. Niemegeers and S. M. Heemstra de Groot, "From Personal Area Networks to Personal Networks: A User Oriented Approach," Wireless Personal Communications, vol. 22, pp. 175-186, 2002.

Abstract

This paper introduces Personal Networks (PN), a new concept related to the emerging field of pervasive computing that extends the concept of a Personal Area Network (PAN). The latter refers to a space of small coverage (less than 10 m) around a person where ad-hoc communication occurs, typically between portable and mobile computing devices such as laptops, Personal Digital Assistants, cell phones, headsets and digital gadgets. We envision a PN to have a core consisting of a PAN, which is extended on-demand and in an ad-hoc fashion with personal resources or resources belonging to others. This extension will physically be made via infrastructure networks, e.g., the Internet, an organisation’s intranet, or a PAN belonging to another person, a vehicle area network, or a home network. The PN is configured to support the application and takes into account context and location information. The resources, which can become part of a PN, will be very diverse. These resources can be private or may have to be shared with other people. They may be free or one may have to pay for their usage. They can be physically close or far away. In this paper, we discuss a number of challenging research problems and potential directions for solutions. Specifically we address the architecture of PNs, techniques for resource and environment discovery, self-organisation, routing, co-operation with fixed infrastructures, and security and accounting.

Paper 2

G. Kortuem and Z. Segall, "Wearable communities: Augmenting social networks with wearable computers," Pervasive Computing, vol. 3, pp. 11-19, January 2003. [Online]. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1.1.65.5202

Abstract

Wearable communities—social networks based on augmented face-toface encounters—present both social and technical design challenges. Our WearCom design methodology permits rapid prototyping of wearable community systems to facilitate community building.