WPI Computer Science Department

Computer Science Department
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Mobile Computing and Wireless Networking Seminar, Spring 2004


Course Overview

The goal of this seminar class is to acquaint participants with some of the fundamental concepts and state-of-the-art research in the areas of mobile computing, wireless networking and ubiquitous computing. Focus will be on the computer science issues in mobile computing. There are no formal requirements but it is expected that participants would have taken at least introductory classes in computer networks and operating systems. The course will consist of weekly presentations, discussions and a term project.

Each week, 2-3 papers will be assigned as required reading from the list of papers for that week. For the first two weeks, I will do all the presentation. In weeks 3 through 13, the class will start with an overview of the week's topic(s) by the instructor, mostly based on the papers in that week's background section. My presentation will be followed by the two student presentations which will be based on the required reading. Papers assigned will include both overview and magazine articles which are rich in insight, as well as detailed case papers which investigate specific issues in more depth.

Students will be encouraged to choose papers in their areas of interest. In addition to presenting their chosen papers, students will also be expected to participate in class discussions. There will also be a significant term project The projects will investigate in-depth one of the sub-topics treated in the seminar and group work will be encouraged.

General Information

Discussions: Tuesdays, 6pm - 8.50pm, FL 320

Instructor: Prof. Emmanuel Agu, FL-139, 508-831-5568, emmanuel@cs.wpi.edu
Office Hours: Monday and Thursday: 3:00PM - 4:00PM, Tuesday 5:00PM - 6:00PM; Others by appointment

Text: There will be no text for this class. Selected papers will be assigned from the literature. Please see bibliography (schedule) section below. Other relevant papers may be suggested. Students may change papers in their chosen section by proposing new ones at least two weeks before the papers are due to be presented.

The following books may also be helpful:

Class Websites: The class website is at http://www.cs.wpi.edu/~emmanuel/courses/mobile_computing/.

Grading Policy: Presentation(s): 40%, Class participation: 10%, Final project: 50%

Access to papers: A number of the assigned papers are from the ACM and IEEE digital libraries. To access these papers, you either have to be at home or configure your browser to use a proxy. You can find details for the proxy configuration on the WPI Gordon's library website at http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Help/proxy.html

Topics Schedule



Week 1: Introduction (Vision, definitions and Challenges)

Overview of Topic
In this section, we take a look at the vision of mobile computing, understand key sub-areas of mobile, ubiquituous and pervasive computing.
Required Reading
Other Papers


Week 2: Applications (Data Access over Wireless, Multimedia, etc)

Overview of Topic
Data management and database issues in mobile environments are discussed. Issues include data dissemination in the face of assymetry and intermittent connections, consistency models, and location-dependent data distribution.
Papers


Week 3: Systems Issues: File Systems, Disconnected Operation, Power Savings, etc

Overview of Topic
Major computer science system issues in computer science shall investigated including the effects of disconnections on file systems and operating systems, power saving strategies, and mobile agents.
Required Reading
Other Papers


Week 4: Application-level adaptation (Application-Aware and Context-Aware Adaptation, mobile agents)

Overview of Topic
Application-aware and context-aware applications are discussed.
Required Reading
Other Papers


Week 5: Wireless Systems (Indoor and outdoor) and Wireless Internet

Overview of Topic
We will go over key indoor and outdoor wireless systems and MAC protocols. We will also go over the results of measurement studies which characterize how existing wireless networks are being used.
Required Reading
Other Papers


Week 6: Wireless Transport Protocols and TCP

Overview of Topic
The end to end effects and transport layer protocols are discussed.
Required Papers
Other Papers


Week 7: Mobile/Ad Hoc Routing, Micromobility

Overview of Topic
Mobility is discussed including IP routing in ad hoc networks and micromobility approaches.
Required Reading
Other Papers


Week 8: Wireless MAC Protocols

Overview of Topic
We will go over wireless MAC protocols.
Required Reading
Other Papers


Week 9: Performance Evaluation (Measurements and Simulation)

Overview of Topic
In this section, we take a look at techniques such as measurement and simulation for doing performance evaluation of mobile computing systems and wireless networks.
Required Reading
Other Papers


Week 10: Wireless Sensor Networks

Overview of Topic
We look at location sensing wireless network.
Papers


Week 11: Selected Issues in Sensor Networks (Case studeies, Location Sensing, Naming, etc)

Overview of Topic
We look at location sensing wireless networks, mobility management and user location and tracking.
Papers


Week 12: Wireless Security and Intrusion Detection

Overview of Topic
We look at security and intrusion detection in wireless networks.
Papers

Week 13: Overview of Physical Layer

Overview of Topic
In this section, We also get an overview of the wireless physical layer, the challenges which it presents.
References


Week 14: Project Presentations

All groups will give presentations of their final project.

Discussion

All participants will be expected to have read assigned papers and contribute to discussions. I will come with insights and in shall lead the discussions.

Software Resources

Web Sites of Interest


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