Service-oriented application development for sensor networks using self-organizing, migratable basic services

In the first project phase of AESOP'S TALE, it was demonstrated that it is fundamentally possible and practical to build a sensor network application according to the service-oriented paradigm. In series of experiments with a prototype implementation of a service-oriented operating system for sensor networks called "Surfer OS," the assumed simplification potential for the software development process was successfully demonstrated. The research results to date even suggest that it is possible to implement a service-oriented architecture very efficiently – at least in sensor networks with a uniform processor architecture. Based on these promising results and numerous new ideas that emerged in the first project phase, the applicants intend to conduct further research in a subsequent project phase. This primarily includes work on self-organization processes in service-oriented sensor networks (optimized relocation of services and data), technologies for interaction with external systems, request optimization and processing, and distributed modeling and execution of processes within the sensor network.

While previous work in the field of wireless sensor networks has addressed a variety of technological and algorithmic problems, including increasing the energy efficiency and runtime of deployed sensor nodes, the programming of sensor network applications and the integration of sensor networks into existing system landscapes have largely been neglected. AESOP's TALE project therefore presents, for the first time, a holistic, optimized solution for the development cycle and integration of sensor network applications. The developed service-oriented hardware abstraction layer (HAL) SurferOS forms the basis for implementing the SOA concept in sensor networks.
Over the course of the project, it was possible to easily combine rudimentary services into higher-value services. Furthermore, our methods for integrating XML into sensor networks represent the current state of the art. They enable the implementation of well-known web service technologies such as SOAP. The methods for transactional service migration and service replication developed in connection with this project round out the overall package of the AESOP's TALE project. The presented results of the AESOP's TALE project have also received widespread international recognition, with several papers receiving Best Paper Awards at international conferences. In summary, the AESOP's TALE project represents a complete success and provides a starting point for further intensive research efforts in the field of data processing in wireless sensor networks.