Using request queues for enhancing the performance of operations in smart homes

Modern houses and buildings are being equipped with embedded wireless sensors and actuators, offering advanced automation possibilities. Embedded technology is becoming mature, forming an enticing option for real-life deployments. Still, embedded wireless computing does not constitute a guaranteed reliable solution since transmission failures occur in the wireless medium while resource-constrained devices have battery limitations and frequent failures. In this paper, we examine the use of request queues as a mechanism to manage the communication with embedded devices. Located in a middleware application framework for smart homes, request queues offer enhanced reliability and fault tolerance, supporting multiple tenants simultaneously.