Ambient Intelligence with Microsystems: Augmented Materials and Smart Objects

418 Pages·2009·8.32 MB·English

by  Kieran Delaney (auth.)

Ambient Intelligence with Microsystems
Kieran Delaney
Ambient Intelligence
with Microsystems
Augmented Materials and Smart Objects
Kieran Delaney
Department of Electronic Engineering
Cork Institute of Technology
Bishoptown, Cork, Ireland
ISBN: 978-0-387-46263-9 e-ISBN: 978-0-387-46264-6
DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-46264-6
Library of Congress Control Number: 2008928644
© 2008 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC
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Preface
1 Introduction
The future of information technology systems will be driven by concepts such as
that of Ambient Intelligence (AmI). In this vision, Ambient Intelligence will sur-
round us with proactive interfaces supported by massively and appropriately dis-
tributed computing and networking technology platforms. This provides a challenge
for technology development that is likely to result in the vast integration of infor-
mation systems into everyday objects, such as furniture, clothes, vehicles, roads
and even materials like paint, wallpaper, etc. Thus, it is a vision that is fundamen-
tally based upon deriving solutions enabled by current and future microsystems.
The recent level of progress in the area of microsystems opens up numerous
opportunities; however, the development of practical approaches to realise this
potential is non-trivial. An effective methodology is to create some form of
co-design process between hardware, software and user-design research that encap-
sulates the full requirements of the AmI vision and the physical capabilities and
constraints of its component technologies. The approach has already led to signifi-
cant developments, both in terms of theory and practical research; these include the
Disappearing Computer initiative, Augmented Materials, Smart Matter, the eGrain
and eCube programmes, as well as related initiatives in wireless sensor networking
that have their origin in the concept of Smart Dust.
2 Scope
This book investigates the development of networkable smart objects for Ambient
Intelligence (AmI) with specific emphasis upon the implementation of the
microsystems and nanoscale devices required to achieve effective smart systems. In
this context, it seeks to investigate the challenges and potential solutions that will
ensure the technology platforms are created to be capable of being seamlessly
v
vi Preface
integrated into everyday objects. In particular, this includes the requirements and
possibilities for integrated computation and MEMs sensors, embedded microelec-
tronic electronics sub-systems, including the System-in-Package (SiP) and Multi-
Chip Module (MCM), as well as novel assembly techniques for autonomous
MEMs sensors.
However, in order to do this effectively, many aspects of the creation of hierar-
chical systems must be investigated; thus, a series of chapters are also included here
to provide an insight into this. This covers conceptual topics designed to create
common multi-disciplinary visions, such as AmI, Pervasive Computing, Smart
Dust, etc. The framework for part of this discussion on vision-statements will be
the concept of Augmented Materials; these are materials with fully embedded dis-
tributed information systems, designed to measure all relevant physical properties
and provide a full knowledge representation of the material; in effect, the material
would “know” itself, and its current status. It is a concept that seeks to harness the
steps used to physically fabricate and assemble smart objects as a natural program-
ming language for these ‘materials’.
This book also includes chapters describing technology platforms that are specifi-
cally important to the creation of smart objects (and indeed AmI itself), including
sensor subsystems development (for example, using toolkits), wireless networking
technologies and systems-level software.
Numerous challenges, when viewed through a ‘whole-systems’ perspective,
cross many of these ‘layers’ of technology and thus require solutions that are opti-
mized through some form of co-design process. Two topics have been selected
from among these problem-statements and are discussed in more detail, namely the
well-heralded issue of energy management and scavenging and the more elusive,
though no less important, issue of robustness and reliability. The challenge of
co-design itself is also addressed in this context.
To be successful in realising methodologies requires more that just a systemic
technological solution. The nature of AmI and Smart Environments is such that
multiple forms of augmented (tangible) artifact will need to function together.
Importantly, there is the question of what to build: in other words, what user need
is being served and is it meaningful? There also the issue of how to build it. Broader
interaction between industry and academia is certainly a challenge here, particu-
larly, given that researching networkable smart systems is going to require multiple
academic disciplines. So, what are the approaches that can help companies to
bridge this gap more easily? How can it provide added value to both industry and
academia? These issues are dealt with directly in two dedicated chapters.
Finally, there is the practical issue of creating Smart Systems. Finding solutions
to the challenges of building networkable smart objects is best researched by pro-
totyping them; often, a process where multiple prototypes will be build, offers the
greatest insight. Three approaches to investigating, building and demonstrating
prototypes are presented. The first approach uses existing devices and systems to
built new experiences, elements of a ‘responsive environment’ that are crystallized
through creating and demonstrating tangible systems. The second investigates how
an augmented material might be built into a new object through a case study about
Preface vii
a ‘smart table’; both ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ approaches are applied. The third
approach discusses a case study following the design and implementation of a
monitoring system derived from specific user requirements.
The realization of networkable smart objects, and their integration into a larger
AmI landscape, is a significant undertaking. The search for effective solutions is
a hugely multi-disciplinary exercise, as rewarding as it is challenging. If it is
undertaken purely on technological terms then, while numerous interesting
‘gadgets’ may emerge, the solutions are not likely to have an impact. Gadgets are
consumable. If, however, we invest in a process where all of the important disci-
plines - technological, social, industrial – work together, completing the hard
process of genuine collaboration, then the impact may well be huge.
Contents
Part I The Concepts: Pervasive Computing and Unobtrusive
Technologies
1 An Overview of Pervasive Computing Systems .................................... 3
Juan Ye, Simon Dobson, and Paddy Nixon
2 Augmenting Materials to Build Cooperating Objects .......................... 19
Kieran Delaney, Simon Dobson
Part II Device Technologies: Microsystems, Micro Sensors
and Emerging Silicon Technologies
3 Overview of Component Level Devices .................................................. 49
Erik Jung
4 Silicon Technologies for Microsystems, Microsensors
and Nanoscale Devices ............................................................................ 81
Thomas Healy
Part III Hardware Sub-Systems Technologies:
Hybrid Technology Platforms, Integrated Systems
5 Distributed, Embedded Sensor and Actuator Platforms...................... 105
John Barton, Erik Jung
6 Embedded Microelectronic Subsystems ................................................ 131
John Barton
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x Contents
Part IV Networking Technologies: Wireless Networking
and Wireless Sensor Networks
7 Embedded Wireless Networking: Principles, Protocols,
and Standards ........................................................................................ 157
Dirk Pesch, Susan Rea, and Andreas Timm-Giel
Part V Systems Technologies: Context, Smart Behaviour
and Interactivity
8 Context in Pervasive Environments ..................................................... 187
Donna Griffin, Dirk Pesch
9 Achieving Co-Operation and Developing Smart Behavior
in Collections of Context-Aware Artifacts ........................................... 205
Christos Goumopoulos, Achilles Kameas
Part VI System-Level Challenges: Technology Limits
and Ambient Intelligence
10 Power Management, Energy Conversion and Energy
Scavenging for Smart Systems .............................................................. 241
Terence O’Donnell, Wensi Wang
11 Challenges for Hardware Reliability in Networked
Embedded Systems ................................................................................ 267
John Barrett
Part VII System Co-Design: Co-Design Processes
for Pervasive Systems
12 Co-Design: From Electronic Substrates to Smart Objects ................ 285
Kieran Delaney, Jian Liang
13 Co-Design for Context Awareness in Pervasive Systems .................... 297
Simon Dobson
Part VIII User-Centered Systems: From Concept to Reality
in Practical Steps
14 User-Centred Design and Development of Future
Smart Systems: Opportunities and Challenges .................................. 311
Justin Knecht
Contents xi
15 Embedded Systems Research and Innovation
Programmes for Industry ..................................................................... 323
Kieran Delaney
Part IX Applied Systems: Building Smart Systems
in the Real World
16 Sensor Architectures for Interactive Environments ........................... 345
Joseph A. Paradiso
17 Building Networkable Smart and Cooperating Objects .................... 363
Kieran Delaney, Ken Murray, and Jian Liang
18 Dedicated Networking Solutions for a Container
Tracking System ..................................................................................... 387
Daniel Rogoz, Fergus O’Reilly
Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 409
Index ................................................................................................................ 411
Contributors
John Barrett
Department of Electronic Engineering, Centre for Adaptive Wireless Systems,
Smart Systems Integration Group, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue,
Bishopstown , Cork, Ireland
John Barton
Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland
Kieran Delaney
Centre for Adaptive Wireless Systems, Cork Institute of Technology,
Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland
Simon Dobson
Systems Research Group, School of Computer Science and Informatics,
UCD Dublin, Belfi eld, Dublin 4, Ireland
Christos Goumopoulos
Distributed Ambient Information Systems Group, Computer Technology Institute,
Patras, Hellas
Donna Griffi n
Centre of Adaptive Wireless Systems, Cork Institute of Technology,
Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland
Thomas Healy
Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland
Erik Jung
Fraunhofer IZM, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany
Achilles Kameas
Distributed Ambient Information Systems Group, Computer Technology Institute,
Patras, Hellas
Justin Knecht
Centre for Design Innovation, Sligo, Ireland
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