CS5289 Pervasive Computing System

Part I

Course Duration: One semester
Credit Units: 3
Level: P5
Medium of Instruction: English
Prerequisites: CS5222 Computer Networks and Internets, or equivalent
Precursors: Nil
Equivalent Courses: Nil
Exclusive Courses: Nil

Part II

Course Aims:
This course aims is to introduce the characteristics, basic concepts and systems issues in pervasive computing, and to provide an opportunity for students to understand the emerging technologies and issues in a pervasive computing system.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

No.

CILOs

Weighting
(if applicable)

1.

describe the major components and architectures of pervasive computing systems;

 

2.

describe the basic problems, performance requirements of pervasive computing applications, and the trends of pervasive computing and its impacts on future computing applications and society;

 

3.

evaluate the strengths and limitations of the tools and devices for development of pervasive computing systems;

 

4.

list the characteristics of different types of mobile networks on the performance of a pervasive computing system;

 

5.

evaluate the basic techniques and algorithms for designing pervasive computing systems including context-aware computing, management of temporal and sensor data and real-time scheduling;

 

6.

analyze and compare the performance of different data dissemination techniques and algorithms for mobile real-time applications;

 

7.

analyze the performance of different sensor data management and routing algorithms for sensor networks.

 

Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs)
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

   Teaching pattern:
   Suggested lecture/tutorial/laboratory mix: 2 hrs. lecture; 1 hr. tutorial.

CILO No.

TLAs

Hours/week
(if applicable)

CILO 1 to CILO 7

The concepts and techniques of pervasive computing systems will be covered in the lectures.  The tutorials provide an opportunity for the students to discuss and deepen their understanding of materials learnt during the lectures.  Case studies are used to identify the trends and latest development of the technologies in the area.  A series of test/assignments, aimed at helping with the students' learning the concepts, approaches and techniques, will be offered.  The test and assignment results will also serves as feedbacks so that the lecturer can pace the presentations accordingly.

 

Assessment Tasks/Activities
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

   Examination duration:  2 hours
   Percentage of coursework, examination, etc.:  30% CW; 70% Exam

CILO No.

Type of Assessment Tasks/Activities

Weighting
(if applicable)

Remarks

CILO 1 to CILO 7

The course ILOs will be expected to be accessed using both examination and coursework including report writing and assignments.

Report writing on selected topics can be used as a measure on the understandings of the students on the basic concepts, design issues and techniques in pervasive computing systems (ILOs 1, 2 and 4).

Programming assignments are used to measure the understandings of the students about the characteristics and limitations of the development tools for pervasive computing devices (ILO 3).

Examination can be used as an overall measure of the understandings of the students on the algorithms, techniques and performance issues discussed in the lectures (ILOs 1 - 7).

 

 

Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic Regulations
Grading pattern: Standard (A+, A, A-…F)
For a student to pass the course, at least 30% of the maximum mark for the examination must be obtained. 

Part III

Keyword Syllabus: 

Software architecture and technologies for pervasive computing, cellular networks and positioning, mobile computing devices, RFID technology and applications, location-dependent services, moving objects and location management, data dissemination, context-aware computing, temporal consistency, sensor devices and sensor data management, real-time embedded and surveillance systems, sensor networks and routing algorithms.

Syllabus:

A framework for pervasive computing will be presented during the lectures, with discussion of the following issues and the techniques to resolve these issues:

1.Basic issues in pervasive computing: support for context-awareness, smart devices, adaptive services and transparent interaction, balance between performance, energy-efficiency and quality.
 
2.Mobile Device Technology: energy profiling and power-aware computing, embedded systems and intelligent agents, self-adaptive systems, cellular networks, sensors and sensor networks.
 
3.System and database technologies: location management and positioning, context-aware modeling, temporal consistency and real-time data management, push and pull techniques for data dissemination, stream and location update processing, in-network processing and sensor query processing, routing algorithms, surveilanace and real-time scheduling.
 
4. Case study of current projects: Smart Home, TinyOS, Smart Dust, Vivometric.

Related Links
Department of Computer Science