Macroprogramming heterogeneous sensor networks using cosmos

Abstract

In this paper, we present COSMOS, a novel architecture for macroprogramming heterogeneous sensor network systems. Macroprogramming specifies aggregate system behavior, as opposed to device-specific programs that code distributed behavior using explicit messaging. COSMOS is comprised of a macroprogramming language, mPL, and an operating system, mOS. mPL macroprograms are statically verifiable compositions of reusable user-specified, or system supported functional components. The mOS node/network operating system provides component management and a lean execution environment for mPL programs in heterogeneous resource-constrained sensor networks. It provides runtime application instantiation, with over-the-air reprogramming of the network. COSMOS facilitates composition of complex real-world applications that are robust, scalable and adaptive in dynamic data-driven sensor network environments. An important and novel aspect of COSMOS is the ability to easily extend its component basis library to add rich macroprogramming abstractions to mPL, tailored to domain and resource constraints, without modifications to the OS. Applications built on COSMOS are currently in use at the Bowen Labs for Structural Engineering, in Purdue University, for high-fidelity structural monitoring. We present a detailed description of the COSMOS architecture, its various components, and a comprehensive experimental evaluation using macro- and micro- benchmarks to demonstrate performance characteristics of COSMOS. Copyright 2007 ACM.