The objectives of this project include construction of a hardware and software prototype of a customizable wireless educational WIPER platform. This platform allows teachers and students to emulate real-world devices by plugging in the desired modules such as different radio technologies, sensor types, and other components typically found in wireless systems. From the software perspective, WIPER automatically recognizes the inserted modules and provides programmers access to library functions that facilitate rapid development of wireless applications. The WIPER programming environment is extensible and offers an easy-to-use graphical programming interface.
The project provides instructors with a tool for rapid development of wireless networks and systems with minimal learning curve. Besides this new learning platform, the project provides novel learning materials for the WIPER platform.
The WIPER platform can be used in courses such as computer networks, sensor networks, mobile computing, or wireless communications. The PIs leverage the WIPER platform to further raise interest in wireless systems and recruit students from underrepresented groups. The PIs work with Notre Dame's Innovation Park to explore commercialization opportunities to provide educators with access to the WIPER platform.
The project build a smartphone sensing toolkit that facilitates rapid prototyping of novel sensor applications and education/training on mobile sensing. The developed software provides easy access to all sensor capabilities of modern smartphones, including accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS, microphone, etc. In addition, the software provides easy access to various system-level parameters such as CPU load, memory availability, battery status, etc. Finally, it also provides access to user- and application statistics and information such as a list of all currently running applications, open network connections, etc. Combined, these pieces of information can be used to develop new context-aware applications that are either customized to a specific situation, personalized to a specific user and usage pattern, or optimized in terms of performance. A key component of the software is an optimization component that ensures that the burden on the device's battery is minimized by combining multiple requests to resources and sensors to avoid unnecessary resource consumption. Another main component and contribution of this project is the programming interface, which facilitates rapid development of new context-aware applications. In addition, this has the potential for significant impact on education in the areas of mobile computing and wireless sensor networks. By making programming of smartphones and smartphone sensors simpler, this programming interface can be used to introduce children to programming at a young age, similar to efforts in areas such as robotics and Lego competitions.
