Role-based Middleware for Sensor Networks

Application specific protocol solutions limit the ability of wireless sensor networks to evolve under changing hardware platforms, network conditions, and application dynamics. We propose a generic role-based abstraction that models application entities as universal plug-n-play roles and network dynamics as changes in node capabilities. In other words, application specifications are mapped as roles played by local in-network sensor nodes with sensor capabilities used as rules for role identification. We argue that the generic role-based framework, due to its universal and portable nature, has many visionary qualities. It facilitates concurrent application specification, development, and testing by providing flexible configurable interfaces. This adaptation and evolution of in-network roles also promotes their seamless integration across heterogenous sensor deployments.