Middleware for Reliable Real-Time Sensor Data Management

Abstract

The integration of sensors in networks of embedded systems revolutionize distributed networked applications in a variety of disciplines. The development of the appropriate middleware components and tools that simplify the programming of the applications and enable reliable and timely communication is a key challenge. This paper describes challenges and basic building blocks in the design of such middleware. We first examine in-network data management computations that can be performed in a sensor network. Then we discuss the various challenges that must be addressed in providing a convenient and powerful middleware environment that simplifies the development of distributed applications on sensor networks, concentrating on in-network storage and real-time data dissemination. Such a sensor network middleware is expected to significantly promote the wide adoption of distributed sensor network applications.