Pervasive handheld computing systems

The technological role of handheld devices is fundamentally changing. Portable computers were traditionally application specific. They were designed and optimised to deliver a specific task. However, it is now commonly acknowledged that future handheld devices need to be multi-functional and need to be capable of executing a range of high-performance applications. This thesis has coined the term pervasive handheld computing systems to refer to this type of mobile device. Portable computers are faced with a number of constraints in trying to meet these objectives. They are physically constrained by their size, their computational power, their memory resources, their power usage, and their networking ability. These constraints challenge pervasive handheld computing systems in achieving their multi-functional and high-performance requirements. This thesis proposes a two-pronged methodology to enable pervasive handheld computing systems meet their future objectives. The methodology is a fusion of two independent and yet complementary concepts. The first step utilises reconfigurable technology to enhance the physical hardware resources within the environment of a handheld device. This approach recognises that reconfigurable computing has the potential to dynamically increase the system functionality and versatility of a handheld device without major loss in performance. The second step of the methodology incorporates agent-based middleware protocols to support handheld devices to effectively manage and utilise these reconfigurable hardware resources within their environment. The thesis asserts the combined characteristics of reconfigurable computing and agent technology can meet the objectives of pervasive handheld computing systems

Configuration Management for Networked Reconfigurable Embedded Devices

Distribution of product updates to embedded devices can increase product lifetimes for consumers and boost revenues for vendors. Dynamic provisioning of application solutions to embedded devices are complex due to their heterogeneous nature. This paper proposes a configuration management architectural framework which incorporates a mobile agent based push methodology for networked reconfigurable embedded devices. FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) are hardware components within embedded systems that can be dynamically reconfigured. Applications can be composed of both software and reconfigurable hardware code which must be tailored to the physical constraints of the device. Push technology is a distribution mechanism initiated by the vendor enabling delivery of product updates. This infrastructure is built upon the solid foundations of agent-based design patterns. A central issue of security within the distribution framework is addressed. Mobile agents completely encapsulate hardware-software based solutions providing a coherent abstraction for their distribution. Agent technology provides an ideal environment for embedded systems management and is particularly suitable as a push-based distribution mechanism for embedded devices. An experimental prototype is presented highlighting the benefits of this approach