Application and Service Architectures for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications

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Machine to Machine (M2M) communications (M2M for short) enables devices such as wireless sensors, actuators, smart meter readers and cellular phones to communicate with each other, with little or no human intervention. It is the basis of a plethora of applications. Currently, M2M research and standardization are enjoying a period of effervescence, especially in the communications and networking aspects. The application aspects remain under-researched despite their pivotal role. The long term objective of this proposal is to specify and validate original and innovative application architectures for M2M. The short term objectives are the specification and validation of the following: innovative architectural solutions for M2M middleware, novel higher layer protocols that take into account the specifics of M2M devices, original integration building blocks that enable the leverage of other applications and service infrastructures such as the cloud and the evolved packet core (EPC) of the emerging fourth generation (4G) telecommunication networks. Today's M2M middleware lack generality, the application layer protocols focus solely on embedded control functions, and only the leverage of the IP multimedia System (IMS) has been extensively researched. Two tracks will be followed for the research. On the first track more general middleware and application layer protocols that target functions such as interaction/collaboration in addition to the embedded control functions will be investigated. On the second track, we will research the leverage of cloud and EPC/4G. The M2M Canadian market is expected to grow significantly the coming years. We will contribute to this growth by training at least 3 PhD students and 6 master students. Our contributions to IETF standards will also foster this growth. Furthermore the proposed research will bring direct benefits to industries such as health and manufacturing where M2M applications and services play a key role. It will also contribute to the development of a horizontal approach. This will allow Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) to more easily enter the M2M applications and services arena, thereby promoting the development of a much wider range of applications and services.