|
|
OSGi (Open Source Gateway initiative) was founded in March, 1999. It's
objective is providing a forum for the development of open specifications
for the delivery of multiple services over wide-area networks to local
networks and devices, and accelerating the demand for products and services
based on those specifications worldwide through sponsorship of market
and user education programs. Fifteen companies were the original founders
and there are currently more than sixty companies who have committed
to support the full incorporation and charter of the organization. OSGi
is the platform integrated in the e-box(described in this page) tal
element upon which all other technologies are based.
The
e-box -a device developed by Ericsson- is a piece of technology similar
to the one found in personal computers - the difference being that it
does not has a physical user interface (i.e. no screen, keyboard, mouse
etc). However it does have a processor, a hard drive and also hardware
that enables is to connect to the Internet. The e-box itself is part
of the e-box system.
The
e-box system consists of several components, one of which is an edge
server (the e-box itself) for installation in the home. The e-box is
positioned between an external Internet protocol (IP) network and local
networks that connect a number of devices to the e-box. These devices
may consist of any form of equipment with embedded processors, ranging
from simple sensors (our service) and actuators to more complex terminal
equipment. In the external network, there are three different types
of e-box-related entity: o e-box operator: the e-box operator is the
owner of the e-box network and manager of the individual units. Technically,
this network is an operation and maintenance system.
- Service
provider: various service providers develop services for e-box end-users.
Technically, what they develop is an e-box application or a piece
of software that implements a service.
- Client:
a client is any form of terminal equipment that, when connected to
the external network, provides a user interface for interacting with
a service application on an e-box. Examples of clients include ordinary
PC equipment, TV sets, mobile phones and Web phones.
A
high level programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Java
is a general purpose programming language with a number of features
that make the language well suited for use on the World Wide Web. Small
Java applications are called Java applets and can be downloaded from
a Web Server and run on your computer by a Java-compatible Web Server,
such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Java is an
object-oriented programming language similar to C++, but simplified
to eliminate language features that cause common programming errors.
Java source code files are compiled into a format called bytecode, which
can then be executed by a Java interpreter. Compiled Java code can run
on most computers because Java interpreters and runtime environments,
known as Java Virtual Machines (VMs), exist for most operating systems,
including UNIX, the Macintosh OS, and Windows.
WIRELESS
TECHNOLOGIES
Wireless technologies are technologies developed by various companies,
which enable different devices to "communicate" with each
other. Three of the most representative of the field are briefly discussed
below:
Developed by Ericsson, Bluetooth is a standard for a small, cheap radio
chip to be plugged into computers, printers, mobile phones, etc. The
Bluetooth chip is designed to replace cables by taking the information
normally carried by the cable, and transmitting it at a special frequency
to a receiver Bluetooth chip, which will then give the information received
to the computer, phone whatever.
Home RF technology provides the foundation for a broad range of interoperable
devices by establishing an open industry specification for wireless
digital communication between PCs and consumer electronic devices anywhere
in and around the home. This Group involved -which includes the leading
companies from the personal computer, consumer electronics, peripherals,
communications, software, and semiconductor industries- has developed
a specification for wireless communications in the home called the Shared
Wireless Access Protocol (SWAP). The SWAP specification defines a common
interface that supports wireless voice and data networking in the home.
Wireless Ethernet is a protocol for wireless communication between computers.
In Wireless Ethernet all devices are connected to a central cable or
a central hub. This technology supports data transfer rates of 10 Mbps.
It is one of the most widely implemented Local Area Network standards.
RF SENSORS
Easy
Living produces the radio frequency sensors chosen for the purpose of
this project. Representative of the wireless technologies for home applications,
these sensors are wirelessly connected to a base station (the IP-node)
which in turn is connected to a data acquisition system which in our
case is the Ericsson e-box. The output RF power of these devices is
<10 mW, which is three orders of magnitude lower than the output
of a mobile phone. As such it induces minimal health hazard considerations.Further
technical related information can be found in the Easy Living website.
E-SERVICES
These
are services that are made possible through the Internet. A news page
is an e-service as you can customise the content is delivers to your
own requirements. So far, e-services have been about e-commerce and
information delivery.However, as consumers become ever more sophisticated
in the use of Information Technology, they are also growing accustomed
to having their informational needs satisfied instantly. This phenomenon
gives rise to new commercial opportunities. New technology, changing
industry and consumer maturity, are combining to accelerate the development
of this promising market of e-services to the home. At the moment, the
market seems to support an open e-service platform that allows several
independent service providers to share the same infrastructure in order
to reduce cost. As such, the technologies incorporated in our project,
are all based on the open-platform concept. With the consideration of
the above factors and the introduction of broadband technology, "e-services"
can therefore become a very broad field and can include such services
as:o Security (e.g. remote monitoring)
o Home care (e.g. security and monitoring)
o Home automation (control of various home devices)
o Communication (e.g. IP telephony)
o Entertainment (e.g. downloadable movies on demand. Shared Internet
etc.)
o Energy (e.g. consumption monitoring)
|
