Ubiquitous networks and their applications

Abstract

Improvements in microprocessor and radio technologies have led to an increasing interest in wireless networking. At the same time, personal digital electronics have become widespread. To the enthusiast these two trends immediately bring to mind a wide range of esoteric applications. Commercially, by contrast, few substantial applications for embedded wireless networks have been proposed. This article describes the Prototype Embedded Network (PEN), a short-range low-power wireless network specifically designed to be a ubiquitous first point of contact between any and every kind of device. We describe some of the key technical issues encountered in PEN's development and illustrate these by example with applications we have built.