The spectrum of computational and information devices is expanding dramatically. The most exciting design challenges lie at the extremes. A vast array of tiny networked devices, embedded servers, planetary-scale services, smart spaces, high-bandwidth pipes, and low-power wireless networks are emerging, augmenting the traditional core of desktop/laptop clients, machine room servers, and the wired web. These technological opportunities are motivating several expeditions into the future of information technology. While there is much discussion about technologies and the applications they enable, little is understood about the necessary globe-spanning architectures needed to make this a success.
This project-intensive research seminar will explore a series of non-traditional systems areas that are critical to deeply networked systems of extreme devices: the small, the large, and the numerous. It will be a hands-on project-oriented course, with scheduled speakers, substantial readings, and in-depth discussions. It will meet twice a week. The Monday meeting (2:30-4:00 PM, 373 Soda) will involve lecture presentations, discussions of readings, and project brainstorming. The Thursday meeting will follow the Systems Seminar (CS298-1, 3:30-4:30, 306 Soda Hall) and will often involve in-depth discussions with the weekly speaker (4:30-5:30, 373 Soda Hall) or further explorations of the topics at hand.
Topics include: tiny connected devices and operating systems, wearables, embedded servers, low-power networks, sustainable power harversting, sensor networks, tiny IP stacks, directed diffusion, address-free routing, global coordination through local actions, scalable discovery, smart spaces, vehicles and buildings, negotiation architectures, self-assembly, service composition, mobility, and scalable services. We have organized the formal class meetings alternating the themes of technology, applications, and architecture.
Monday 2:30 - 4:00 in 373 Soda (except the first meeting Monday, January
24 will be 2:30 - 3:30 in 405 Soda)
Thursday 4:30 - 5:30 in 373 Soda. (Note change in time!)
Systems Seminar (CS298-1) Spring 2000 (Thursdays 3:30-4:30, 306 Soda)
A major element of the course will be the group development of a Web-based repository of information about deeply networked systems. See Assignment #2 and Assignment #3. Here is the initial Knowledge Web bootstrap.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, University Holiday
No class meeting
Course Introduction: Communications to the eXtreme
Assignment #1: Signing on to the Expedition
Readings:
Guest Lecture/Discussion: Professor Kris Pister on Dust Mote Technology
Embedded Systems/Discussion with JAVA Car Designer
Miniproject Handout: Bag o' Tiny Parts (Due 24 February)
Readings:
Applications Discussion: General Theme is "Smart Spaces"
Assignment #2: Research Safari on EECS 2000 Conference
Readings:
Architecture Discussion: Service Discovery
Sensor Networks/Discussion with Prof. Deborah Estrin, USC-ISI
President's Day Holiday
Assignment #3: Expanding the Knowledge Web in Deeply Networked Systems (Due 23 March)
Technology: Location-/Power-Awareness
Pervasive Computing/Discussion with Dr. Bill Mark, SRI
Applications: Wearable Computers
Architectures: Embedded Operating Systems
Initial Project Proposal Due