Waltenegus Dargie - Böcker

Bringing together an extensively researched area with an emerging research issue, Context-Aware Computing and Self-Managing Systems presents the core contributions of context-aware computing in the development of self-managing systems, including devices, applications, middleware, and networks. The expert contributors reveal the usefulness of context-aware computing in developing autonomous systems that have practical application in the real world.The first chapter of the book identifies features that are common to both context-aware computing and autonomous computing. It offers a basic definition of context-awareness, covers fundamental aspects of self-managing systems, and provides several examples of context information and self-managing systems. Subsequent chapters on context-awareness demonstrate how a context can be employed to make systems smart, how a context can be captured and represented, and how dynamic binding of context sources can be possible. The chapters on self-management illustrate the need for "implicit knowledge" to develop fault-tolerant and self-protective systems. They also present a higher-level vision of future large-scale networks.Through various examples, this book shows how context-aware computing can be used in many self-managing systems. It enables researchers of context-aware computing to identify potential applications in the area of autonomous computing. The text also supports researchers of autonomous computing in defining, modeling, and capturing dynamic aspects of self-managing systems.

In this book, the authors describe the fundamental concepts and practical aspects of wireless sensor networks. The book provides a comprehensive view to this rapidly evolving field, including its many novel applications, ranging from protecting civil infrastructure to pervasive health monitoring. Using detailed examples and illustrations, this book provides an inside track on the current state of the technology. The book is divided into three parts. In Part I, several node architectures, applications and operating systems are discussed. In Part II, the basic architectural frameworks, including the key building blocks required for constructing large-scale, energy-efficient sensor networks are presented. In Part III, the challenges and approaches pertaining to local and global management strategies are presented – this includes topics on power management, sensor node localization, time synchronization, and security. At the end of each chapter, the authors provide practical exercises to help students strengthen their grip on the subject. There are more than 200 exercises altogether.Key Features: Offers a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical and practical concepts pertaining to wireless sensor networksExplains the constraints and challenges of wireless sensor network design; and discusses the most promising solutionsProvides an in-depth treatment of the most critical technologies for sensor network communications, power management, security, and programmingReviews the latest research results in sensor network design, and demonstrates how the individual components fit together to build complex sensing systems for a variety of application scenariosIncludes an accompanying website containing solutions to exercises (http://www.wiley.com/go/dargie_fundamentals)This book serves as an introductory text to the field of wireless sensor networks at both graduate and advanced undergraduate level, but it will also appeal to researchers and practitioners wishing to learn about sensor network technologies and their application areas, including environmental monitoring, protection of civil infrastructure, health care, precision agriculture, traffic control, and homeland security.

Applications which use wireless sensors are increasing in number. The emergence of wireless sensor networks has also motivated the integration of a large number of small and lightweight nodes which integrate sensors, processors, and wireless transceivers.  Existing books on wireless sensor networks mainly focus on protocols and networks and pay little attention to the sensors themselves which the author believes is the main focus.  Without adequate knowledge of sensors as well as how they can be designed, realized and used, books on wireless sensor networks become too theoretical and irrelevant. The purpose of this book is to intimately acquaint readers with the technique of sensing (resistive, capacitive, inductive, magnetic, inertial, etc.) and existing sensor technologies. It also discusses how the sensors are used in a wide application domain and how new sensors can be designed and used in a novel way.

Bringing together an extensively researched area with an emerging research issue, Context-Aware Computing and Self-Managing Systems presents the core contributions of context-aware computing in the development of self-managing systems, including devices, applications, middleware, and networks. The expert contributors reveal the usefulness of context-aware computing in developing autonomous systems that have practical application in the real world.The first chapter of the book identifies features that are common to both context-aware computing and autonomous computing. It offers a basic definition of context-awareness, covers fundamental aspects of self-managing systems, and provides several examples of context information and self-managing systems. Subsequent chapters on context-awareness demonstrate how a context can be employed to make systems smart, how a context can be captured and represented, and how dynamic binding of context sources can be possible. The chapters on self-management illustrate the need for "implicit knowledge" to develop fault-tolerant and self-protective systems. They also present a higher-level vision of future large-scale networks.Through various examples, this book shows how context-aware computing can be used in many self-managing systems. It enables researchers of context-aware computing to identify potential applications in the area of autonomous computing. The text also supports researchers of autonomous computing in defining, modeling, and capturing dynamic aspects of self-managing systems.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the First International Conference on Information and Communication Technology for Development for Africa, ICT4DA 2017, held in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, in September 2017. The 31 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 72 submissions. The papers address the impact of ICT in fostering economic development in Africa. In detail they cover the following topics: e-services, natural language processing, intelligent systems, mobile and wireless communication, privacy and security.