The wide range of sensors and networking technologies commonly used in fielded sensor networks add a unigue set of challenges to sensor identification and discovery, sensor access and control, and sensor data consumability. Current solutions often use bespoke systems (both hardware and software) that access sensors individually, which increases their complexity and cost, limits their scalability, and reduces their effectiveness.

The Fabric for Sensor Network Management and Data Transfer tool enables multiple users, with multiple requirements, to access sensor network assets without the need for custom applications or interfaces. Sensor output can be easily integrated into existing applications and middleware infrastructures, and used in new and innovative ways. The tool can be used with current sensor and networking technologies. It is not necessary for a complete change before the benefits can be achieved.

How does it work?

The Fabric message bus middleware provides unified access to, and management of, sensor networks. It is designed to simplify the development and operation of sensor network solutions. Specifically it simplifies the way sensors are attached, discovered, and utilized. The Fabric spans the network from the data centre to deployed sensors and mobile personnel. It tracks the sensors, nodes, and users of the sensor network allowing universal access to sensor data from any point, maximizing its availability and utility.

The Fabric’s plug-in architecture allows new functions including services, policies, security, filters, transformations and event detection algorithms, to be deployed into the sensor network and selectively applied to sensor messages en route to the user, simplifying the customization of the Fabric for individual users and applications.

This technology was developed by members of IBM’s Emerging Technology Services (ETS) group in the United Kingdom: Bharat Bedi, Christopher Gibson, Dale Lane, Dave Conway-Jones, David Barker, Flavio Bergamaschi, Joel Wright, John Ibbotson and Laurence Hey.

ETS is part of a worldwide organization focused on the development and use of new technology to satisfy the business needs of customers, providing innovative technical solutions across a wide range of business areas. ETS fuses hands-on experience with innovation, fundamental research, and first-of-a-kind technology to produce compelling solutions.

The fundamental research enabling the development of the Fabric was part of the US/UK International Technology Alliance (ITA) research project.