A delay-constrained middleware architecture for disseminating information in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have been gaining a lot of attention from the research community. They offer the possibility to monitor and collect information from the environment, using small sensor nodes. Generally, the information is later transmitted towards a centralized entity that serves as an interface to users, or to other networks (e.g., cellular networks or Internet). Data dissemination techniques are in charge of the sending process to all destinations. The technique is chosen depending on the application. For instance, delay-constrained applications impose end-to-end delay constraints to coordinate rescue operations and warn people about critical events. This thesis proposes a middleware architecture that serves as a mediator between delay-constrained applications and data dissemination techniques. The architecture is intended to disseminate information from wireless sensor networks to Internet and cellular networks, considering end-to-end delay constraints. A proof of concept is done to validate its feasibility and effectiveness. More specifically, the results show that the percentage of success is much better using a middleware as a mediator than using individual protocols for data dissemination, such as Short Message Service (SMS), email and twitter.