Sensor Networks’ Integration - Application and Multidisciplinary Aspects of Wireless Sensor Networks - page 102

process with what is actually happening in the real world. Thereby, business processes
can be extended to the “point of action” rather than via a centralized back-end system.
The central concept of the CoBIs project was to use a common service paradigm
throughout all layers, from the enterprise application down to the logic executed on
sensor nodes. A middleware was built based on a service-oriented architecture
(SOA). The middleware allows the deployment of business logic in the form of ser-
vices to the edge of the network and onto the sensor nodes themselves. CoBIs were
focused on providing the basic SOA framework as well as the tools to monitor and
manage the network. Using a service-oriented architecture in the context of distrib-
uted embedded devices as well as sensor and actuator networks solves several prob-
lems that are usually associated with such systems. Solutions concern especially, the
integration of sensors and actuators with enterprise systems as well as the manage-
ment, monitoring, and administration of a system with highly distributed logic.
In addition to the SOA framework, a set of reusable collaborative services was
defined and described in a newly developed service description language called
CoBIL. A CoBIL service description includes a definition of the interface, which
is based on the Web Service Definition Language (WSDL). Furthermore, it includes
a textual description of the service as well as information about the composition of
the service and technical constraints for the deployment.
Three different sensor network platforms, namely Particles, mNodes, and
Sindrion, were integrated with the middleware through a common abstraction layer
to demonstrate the feasibility of connecting heterogeneous hardware to the system
[ 24 ]. The different platforms have different characteristics: Depending on the appli-
cation scenario, one can thus choose the most suitable technology. Criteria have
been developed that will help end users to make that choice, also comparing it to
existing technology like RFID and wired sensors.
While the middleware, service description language, and system support tools
developed could be the foundation of a widespread, multi-partner sensor network infra-
structure, CoBIs did not address formal semantics and context models or security
issues.

5.3 Road Ahead

5.3.1 Introduction

Internet that we know today was designed 40 years ago as a tool that will facilitate
easier exchange of information between researchers. From that vision, Internet
grew to a ubiquitously available platform people and businesses depend on in all
aspects of everyday life: social networking, business applications, health care,
learning, information exchange, etc. With proliferation of mobile networks and
particularly with the introduction of high-speed mobile technologies (HSPA - High
Speed Packet Access), the requirements for Internet access broadened from just
home and office environments to any place and at any time, including while on the
move in a car, a bus, or a train. In addition to that, it is becoming a norm to have