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the interaction complexity of applications and eases incremental deployment of
new sensor networks. Via these frameworks, applications can gain access to a large
variety of connected geographically distributed sensor networks.
While representing first stepping stones for a real-world Internet, a variety of
different issues remain unaddressed whereas they are essential for realizing an
ecosystem for real-world contexts and interactions. Therefore, the development of
sensor network integration frameworks is currently being carried by many industrial
and academic institutions. In this chapter, an overview of existing sensor network
integration frameworks (SNIFs) is presented, highlighting the main concepts and
key features. Various examples of these frameworks are provided covering different
design approaches from both industrial and academic organizations. Each of these
frameworks is briefly analyzed with the description of key features and innovative
solutions. Also their potential limitations and shortcomings are highlighted.
5.1.2
Benefits of Integration
The sensor network integration frameworks provide various advantages for different
parties: end users, service providers, WSN providers, network operators, and network
service providers. This paragraph describes how the numerous features of SNIF can
be beneficial for those entities.
First, better visibility of WSNs obtained with SNIF can be advantageous for the
users of WSNs. They can avail of the broader range of measurements which are closer
to the phenomena of interest and therefore are more precise. Besides, the availability
of diverse sensors would allow deployment of a more sophisticated and complex appli-
cations. Also, greater number of available measurements will increase competition
between WSNs providers and as a result will lead to a lower cost of those services. All
these factors will contribute to a so-called community effect where more and more
users will benefit from the WSNs. As a consequence, WSN providers would compen-
sate more quickly the investments incurred for the deployment and maintenance of
WSNs. Also the service providers and network operators would benefit from the
greater visibility of the WSNs which will increase the demand for their services. In
addition, the availability of a greater number of diverse sensors would allow the devel-
opment of more elaborate services requiring measurements of various quantities.
Also the resource naming and discovery provided by SNIF will bring benefits to
various entities. Currently, many WSNs are deployed for a specific application as
vertical solutions. With SNIF, these systems could be easily discovered when
needed by other applications. In consequence, the service providers can offer more
complex applications on the basis of already existing infrastructures. Also it would
be beneficial to the end users having access to a broader range of applications.
Most of the SNIFs provide the common interface for the WSN measurements.
This will reduce significantly the effort required to access the data provided
by WSNs. In consequence, the service providers could develop much quicker
applications using WSNs. The current situation of the WSNs market with various
independent systems makes difficult the possibility of establishing a connection to
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