Thin Middleware for Ubiquitous Computing

Abstract

Advances in chip fabrication technology have reached a point where a reader can physically make computing devices disappear. Bulkier machines have given way to smaller yet more powerful personal computers. It has become possible to implant a complete package of a microprocessor with wireless communication, storage, and a sensor on a cubic millimeter silicon die. The growth of devices with embedded computers will provide task-oriented, simple services which are highly optimized for their operating environment. More user oriented, human friendly services may be created by networking the embedded nodes, and coordinating their software services. The operating environment for these devices may be unreliable. For these reasons, the interaction between different devices must be arms-length – the failure of one device should not affect another.