MITOS: A smart spaces system for pervasive computing

Abstract

The popularity of wireless networks has increased in the recent years, as they become a common addition to fixed LAN infrastructures. In this paper we introduce a novel use for a wireless network based on the IEEE 802.11 standard: a smart spaces system that proposes to wireless users to assume optimum locations in order to obtain a satisfactory QoS level when the wireless hot-spot becomes saturated. The system, being kept up to date with the traffic across the network and the location of each user, is capable of making the appropriate proposal urging users to move to new locations at reasonable distances. In that way, user perceived QoS and wireless network load-balancing can be both achieved. MITOS is the name of the developed smart spaces system. We discuss the general system architecture and operation as well as the optimum proposal algorithm. The operation of the system was verified in the wireless infrastructure of our department. © Springer-Verlag 2004.