Module Identifier
CS35710
Module Title
UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Mark J Neal
Semester
Semester 1
Co-Requisite
None
Mutually Exclusive
None
Pre-Requisite
CS21120
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture
Seminars / Tutorials
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Exam 2 Hours   100%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Identify and analyse key technical limitations of ubiquitous computing systems.

Evaluate and explain the likely usefulness of ubiquitous computing systems for particular applications and environments.

Identify and design mechanisms, components and technologies useful for ubiquitous computing systems in particular environments and for particular applications.

Design ubiquitous computing systems tailored to particular applications and environments.

Aims

The module builds on the techniques and possibilities opened-up by mobile, embedded and wearable computer systems (as presented in CS25710). The module is intended to take a balanced view of the technological, social and organizational limitations and opportunities presented by such systems. This should allow a principled and professional stance to be taken during the development and deployment of such systems.

Brief description

The module covers applications, techniques and future directions for ubiquitous computing systems both as assistive and enabling technologies. It goes on to describe and analyse the range of applications, novel techniques and wearable devices that can be and are used to assist and enable people at work, in social environments and the world at large. The implications (technological and social) of the technologies and modes of use are also examined and considered in the context of modern society.

Content

Review of mobile, embedded and wearable computers (2 lectures)

Review and contextualization of the technologies and techniques available for ubiquitous computation.

Existing applications in the large (3 lectures)

Explanation of a number of existing applications of large ubiquitous systems and a technical analysis of their key properties with respect to the technology available and used in their construction. Detailed discussion of their impact on working methods and their uses for non-work and recreational activities. This will include systems such as mobile telephone networks and congestion charging systems.

Effective development of ubiquitous computing systems (7 lectures)

Examination of the key properties of useful and effective ubiquitous systems including:
1.Integration issues
2.Open-ended development and self-organization
3.Distribution of loads and lack of centralization
4.End-user interface issues
5.Techniques for context awareness
6.Development lifecycles and design

Reading and research (4 seminars)

A number of texts, including research papers will be presented by students and discussed. Summaries of relevant material garnered by students and a list of web-sites, books and research papers will be provided and described. Students will be informed of the compulsory topic on the exam paper and given starting points from which to begin their study.

System integration and overall design issues for ubiquitous systems (4 seminars)

An exemplar system will be considered and a design worked up by the students based on the principles presented above. Students will contribute to the design and provide critiques of various aspects as it develops.

Wrap-up and reiteration of fundamentals (1 lecture)

An overview of the fundamentals of the course and their inter-relationship will be presented in order to leave the students with a coherent overall view of this area of technology, and potential major project issues (CS39030) for students on the ubiquitous and mobile computing scheme will be discussed in the light of the module.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Communication Presentation and discussion of ideas in seminars will promote communication skills
Improving own Learning and Performance The emphasis on discovering and reading texts and the work for the compulsory examination question will (through the seminars) help students to develop their individual learning skills
Problem solving Thinking through and designing a ubiquitous computing system during seminars involves the application of problem solving skills with a new set of constraints and demands. Novel and effective solutions will be encouraged and rewarded
Research skills The use of printed and web resources will be expected and encouraged both in the seminars and in the semester/supplementary examination (a pre-specified compulsory question topic will be examined)
Team work The seminars will be used to encourage teamworking and ideas from all the students will be considered and incorporated into the system design as appropriate

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6