A multi-layer approach for cross-technology communication in a pervasive community

This paper presents a middleware and an application scenario for communication in a pervasive community which is characterized by the use of different network and service technologies. To achieve the required cross-technology communication, we organize devices and applications as members of cells with homogeneous network interfaces, and we combine these cells to a heterogeneous ensemble by a General Purpose Access Point (GPAP). The GPAP enables and organizes a flexible service-based communication between members of different cells. This paper focuses an interconnection between Bluetooth and IP-based networks using service proxying between Bluetooth SDP (Service Discovery Protocol) and Web Services. However, it can be used as a base for service proxying with a variety of other network and SOA technologies. Furthermore, we combine several ensembles by our service-oriented middleware to build a community and enable the communication between devices of different ensembles. Moreover, we look forward to explore and allow seamless roaming for mobile devices as well as their provided services inside the community. For evaluation of our middleware we use cross-technology messaging as an application scenario for a general cross-technology video and audio communication.