This investigation of current approaches to developing networkable smart objects for ambient intelligence emphasizes the microsystems and nanoscale devices required to achieve effective smart systems. It reviews the current ongoing research on effectively embedding computing technology into the everyday objects and investigates the form that these microscale and hybrid systems technologies must take for these programs to be successfully realized. The book examines the issues required to ensure that hardware technologies become capable of being seamlessly integrated into everyday objects. This includes studies on the requirements for integrated computation with MEMs sensors and the role of electronics packaging technology platforms, such as system-in-a-package and multi-chip modules, in implementing new, fully embedded, internet-like heterogeneous systems. It also discusses current progress and future directions in realizing applications-oriented smart objects.

Bridges the gap between microsystems research and the new challenges presented by concepts such as Ambient Intelligence, the Disappearing Computer, and Cooperating Objects Provides a practical approach to the realization of ambient intelligence concepts and discusses the road mapping and scenario development initiatives Investigates the specific implications for the emerging microsystems technologies that will need to be integrated into internet-like heterogeneous systems Analyses the impact of the trend towards embedded microelectronic sub-systems and novel assembly techniques for autonomous MEMs sensors Discusses current requirements for realizing applications-oriented examples of smart objects Reviews new approaches and initiatives in collaborative research that are leading to innovation in both the hardware and software domains. Provides a practical (i.e. based upon demonstrable platforms, prototypes and field trial systems) perspective in reviewing and discussing what has been achieved to date

Klappentext
Ambient Intelligence with Microsystems: Augmented Materials and Smart Objects This text investigates relationships that Ambient Intelligence has with current and emerging Microsystems Ambient Intelligence conceptualizes systems that are proactive, context-aware and unobtrusive. Microsystems enable these systems to be seamlessly integrated into everyday objects. This work examines the opportunities and challenges in using integrated computing with MEMs sensors. It evaluates the impact of trends towards embedded sub-systems, including System-in-a-Package solutions, as well as rapidly growing areas of research, such as wireless sensor networks. Methods for realizing smart objects are discussed, including smart textiles, intelligent surfaces, smart tracking and environmental monitoring systems, This provides for an infrastructure of heterogeneous systems attached to (or physically embedded in) everyday objects that enable collections of smart objects to collaborate and provide services. Technical barriers are discussed as well as methods to meet the challenges of what is a strongly collaborative process. Co-design is integral to this; for optimal results the goal must be co-innovation, with the needs of key stakeholders recognised and addressed. Ambient Intelligence with Microsystems: Augmented Materials and Smart Objects discusses the vision statements relevant to future embedded sensor platforms for smart objects and, ultimately, Ambient Intelligence. Readers will find up to-date research in Ambient Intelligence and in Microsystems including; A practical approach to realizing concepts within Ambient Intelligence, including new heterogeneous systems infrastructures and international R&D programs Analyses of embedded microelectronic sub-systems and novel assembly techniques for autonomous MEMs sensors. Reviews of initiatives in collaborative research that are leading to innovation in hardware, networking and software, including the effect of whole-systems methodologies Ambient Intelligence with Microsystems: Augmented Materials and Smart Objects is written for researchers and professionals in the areas of microsystems, smart materials, ambient and pervasive systems, and those investigating and exploiting wireless sensor networks.

Inhalt
The Concepts.- An Overview of Pervasive Computing Systems.- Augmenting Materials to Build Cooperating Objects.- Device Technologies.- Overview of Component Level Devices.- Silicon Technologies for Microsystems, Microsensors and Nanoscale Devices.- Hardware Sub-Systems Technologies.- Distributed, Embedded Sensor and Actuator Platforms.- Embedded Microelectronic Subsystems.- Networking Technologies.- Embedded Wireless Networking: Principles, Protocols, and Standards.- Systems Technologies.- Context in Pervasive Environments.- Achieving Co-Operation and Developing Smart Behavior in Collections of Context-Aware Artifacts.- System-Level Challenges.- Power Management, Energy Conversion and Energy Scavenging for Smart Systems.- Challenges for Hardware Reliability in Networked Embedded Systems.- System Co-Design.- Co-Design: From Electronic Substrates to Smart Objects.- Co-Design for Context Awareness in Pervasive Systems.- User-Centered Systems.- User-Centred Design and Development of Future Smart Systems: Opportunities and Challenges.- Embedded Systems Research and Innovation Programmes for Industry.- Applied Systems.- Sensor Architectures for Interactive Environments.- Building Networkable Smart and Cooperating Objects.- Dedicated Networking Solutions for a Container Tracking System.