ABSTRACT A System Architecture for Context-Aware Mobile Computing Computer applications traditionally expect a static execution environment.

However, this precondition is generally not possible for mobile systems, where the world around an application is constantly changing. This thesis explores how to support and also exploit the dynamic configurations and social settings characteristic of mobile systems. More specifically, it advances the following goals: (1) enabling seamless interaction across devices; (2) creating physical spaces that are responsive to users; and (3) and building applications that are aware of the context of their use. Examples of these goals are: continuing in your office a program started at home; using a PDA to control someone elses windowing UI; automatically canceling phone forwarding upon return to your office; having an airport overheaddisplay highlight the flight information viewers are likely to be interested in; easily locating and using the nearest printer or fax machine; and automatically turning off a PDAs audible e-mail notification when in a meeting. The contribution of this thesis is an architecture to support context-aware computing; that is, application adaptation triggered by such things as the location of use, the collection of nearby people, the presence of accessible devices and other kinds of objects, as well as changes to all these things over time. Three key issues are addressed: (1) the information needs of applications, (2) where applications get various pieces of information and (3) how information can be efficiently distributed. A dynamic environment communication model is introduced as a general mechanism for quickly and efficiently learning about changes occurring in the environment in a fault tolerant manner. For purposes of scalability, multiple dynamic environment servers store user, device, and, for each geographic region, context information. In order to efficiently disseminate information from these components to applications, a dynamic collection of multicast groups is employed. The thesis also describes a demonstration system based on the Xerox PARCTAB, a wireless palmtop computer.

Issues:
Applications The numerous applications types which this work enables need to be investigated more rigorously. These application classes will drive the requirements of future contextaware systems. It is not yet clear whether the applications we have chosen to aid in the design will prove to be the most compelling. Internet Integration Since the application domains weve outlined are, for the most part, local area, weve concentrated on a local area design. To support remote access, the active map needs to be extended to enable efficient remote access of information. Weve outlined one plan for doing this.One assumption our system made was that wireless IP multicast would be generally available. This is currently not the case and future research needs to address it. Additionally, some work is necessary to influence mobile-IP standards to expose location information when available. Varying Scales & Venues A future area of research is to explore how to combine Euclidean distance with the graph of nodes distance already present in the active map. The reasons for this is that in the future sub-room location information will become available and it would be useful, for example, to know head orientation in order to determine where a person is looking. Similarly in different venues, such as campus quadrangles and big open spaces, multiple paths exist, and some kind of Euclidean measure may prove simpler. One problem with the active map is that it requires an administrator to set up a description of the physical spaces. A future research area is to explore how to add a learning component to the system so that it can be trained to know about locations and their relations as people use them.

Handoff Techniques for Next Generation Wireless Multimedia Systems The commercial success of cellular networks, combined with advances in digital electronics, signal processing, and telecommunications research have lead to the design of next generation wireless systems. The next generation wireless system (NGWS) is a system of globally available, wireless multimedia networks that are anticipated to deliver service to a mobile computer terminal "anywhere at anytime." In this dissertation, new handoff techniques were developed to support global roaming with quality of service constraints within NG wireless systems. Whereas conventional handoff techniques support single connection terminals that operate within a homogeneous network, NG wireless systems promise to support terminals with multiple connections carrying different types of traffic, with varying quality of service constraints, which may handoff between different tiers of the same network, or between different types of networks. For intrasystem roaming, a new handoff technique for real-time traffic in Mobile IP version 6 networks was created to adapt to IP-based quality of service architectures. Disruption of the communication path, bandwidth expenses, and buffering requirements were reduced. Next, a new handoff technique was developed for Wireless ATM networks that used the source switch to manage connections with multiple mobile endpoints, and to reroute connections according to the type of traffic being carried. For inter-system roaming, new boundary elements were introduced to the NGWS architecture. A new inter-system handoff signaling and rerouting protocol was created to enable format transformations and advanced preparation for mobile terminals that may roam between a variety of networks. Finally, an admission control algorithm for inter-system roaming was created to provide a mechanism for quality of service re-negotiation and to regulate the admission non-subscriber traffic.

MODERN ADVANCES TO THE MODULAR FLY-AWAY KIT (MFLAK) TO SUPPORT MARITIME INTERDICTION OPERATIONS The MFLAK-II proved to be an outstanding generational improvement in terms of physical attributes, capabilities, ruggedness, operations and robustness. The MFLAKII is currently used to support real world scenarios and has been used in air, land and sea environments. The original MFLAK thesis48 identified several future research areas and questions and this thesis has addressed a number of those areas and has come up with additional research topics to better sustain and gauge the growth of this asset. The major areas of research and questions from the first generation MFLAK are as follows: Electronic Steerable Antennas IEEE 802.16 Amplifiers Satellite communications Riverine Communications Doctrine IEEE 802.16 Vendors for variability Multiboat PtMP IEEE 802.16 testing Alternate Network topologies M-FLAK CONOPS M-FLAK Periphery Technologies As with most cutting edge technology, some of these areas have been addressed by the passing of time. Self-aligning OFDM antennas, IEEE 802.16 amplifiers and IEEE 802.16 vendors have been addressed and are evolving currently. The alternate technology with Fortress communications proved well-suited for a tactical environment and handled both LAN and WAN network topologies while encrypting the data exchanged. Additional peripheral items. Key Findings a. Ruggedized Equipment that is Not Rack Mountable. b. Mobile Networks Exist to Support Operations. c. Technology is Not the Only Answer. d. Deployment Scenarios Must be Realistic.

Future Research The components used to support the TOC and Mobile node operations were the basis for COASTS-07. There is a tremendous amount of additional research that can go into the network topology and interactions between networks and end user devices. For NCW, MIO and COASTS implementations, the following is a list of pertinent directions to research: a. PC/104 Form Factor The introduction of small form factored equipment is on the verge of engulfing all components. This includes radio, satellite and access point components. By decreasing the footprint of these devices and installing them into the ComCase, the scalability and robustness of the network increase and the logistical footprint decreases. For exercise SEACAT-07, there were a total of (10) pelican cases sent to support a Maritime Interdiction scenario. The majority of the equipment sent would benefit from further research into PC/104 components and integration into the ComCase equipment. b. Software Development The preponderance of equipment being tested today focuses on the hardware components related to COTS equipment. There is little emphasis placed on software engineering or development which can enhance the current hardware capabilities. Unfortunately, this is a time consuming process and may not be suited for this type of environment. However, future interactions with software vendors and developers may produce greater returns when coupled with the advance hardware suites currently being tested. The GPRS transmitter (hardware) and the software used to integrate GPRS feeds into WhirlWind shows the incredible capacity of a combined hardware/software solution. Future ideas for software include: full WAVE implementation combined with VOIP components, Network Management software capable of managing mobile nodes, RF software used in conjunction with Anritsu components for greater Fresnel zone calculations and improved RF deconfliction. c. Power Consumption and Distribution In 2006 alone, U.S. datacenters consumed about 61 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity or roughly 1.5 percent of all U.S. electricity consumption. That much energy cost about $4.5 billion, according to the report, prosaically titled "Report to Congress on Server and Datacenter Energy Efficiency." The power requirements of the equipment used to

support operations carries a heavy burden. By definition, the MFLAK-II is used as a mobile fly away kit capable of sustaining data/voice communications for a particular area of need.The trend of hardware developers that increases the energy costs is counter productive when dealing with MFLAK technologies. MFLAK technologies should focus on efficient power consumption, solar panel generators and other alternative power generators. In harsh environments, remote locations and emergency disaster areas, the majority do not supply their own power and rely upon supporting agencies to provide this power. Future ideas should include the alternative energy sources that yield energy gains, vice energy hogs. Solar and wind energy show the most promise, but require complementary power systems to sustain or moderate flow during times of reduced power (i.e., no sun or no wind).

EFFECTIVE IT SUPPORT TO EXECUTIVES WHILE ROAMING

This Business Scenario investigates the problem of providing effective IT support to Executives while they are away from their normal places of work, either at other locations, or in transit. It was developed by the Mobile and Directory Working Group of The Open Group in order to explore the requirements for Directories to support Mobile Computing and Communications.Mobile Computing and Communications are increasingly used by Executives and other employees of a wide range of government, commercial, manufacturing, service, and other organizations. They help to: Minimize time when people are not doing productive, profitable work; Maximize Availability of Executives for Decision Making; Maximize Competitive Advantage by Timely Availability of Information; and Improve Quality of Enterprise Information. They do this by enabling executives to conduct the core activities of conversation, conferencing, messaging, alerting, information access, information update, and on-line transactions. The Scenario identifies a number of requirements for the systems that support these activities, to meet the needs of executives that are away from their normal places of work. Up to this point, this Scenario is solution-neutral. However, the original reason for developing it was to help identify requirements to support mobile computing and communications. The Scenario proceeds to put forward architectural considerations that are oriented towards a solution that uses Directories.The Scenario envisages an architecture where applications and intelligent network components access information stored in Directories in order to support mobility. Some of that information is generated by applications and system administrators. Some of it is generated in real-time by network components. Existing standard directory interfaces are not appropriate for the access through directories of real-time network information. The definition of standards for an interface that is appropriate would be very valuable, as it would enable the emergence of standards-based intelligent network component products and directory products.

In addition to standards at the protocol level, agreement is needed on the format of the information carried by the protocols. This could be through standard schema definitions, but a more practical approach would be to agree a common framework within which information mappings can be defined. The Common Information Model of the Distributed Management Task Force could, perhaps with some additions, provide such a framework. The next steps are to create a Technical Plan for development of the architectural ideas presented in the scenario, and to create a Marketing Plan to promote those ideas to potential implementors and to appropriate standards bodies . A key element of these plans will be a Mobility Directory Challenge, which will demonstrate how many aspects of wireless computing management can be simplified and standardized using current and developing directory technology.