Implementation of service discovery for android operating system based mobile ad-hoc networks

Abstract

A mobile ad hoc network is an autonomous collection of mobile devices that communicate with each other over wireless links and cooperate in a distributed manner in order to provide the necessary network functionality in the absence of a fixed infrastructure. In order to enable communication between nodes that are not directly within each other’s send range, intermediate nodes act as routers that relay packets generated by other nodes to their destination. Nodes are free to join or leave the network and they may move randomly resulting in rapid and unpredictable topology changes. MANET (Mobile Ad hoc Networks) nodes operate in energy constrained, dynamic, distributed multi-hop environment and nodes need to reorganize dynamically in order to provide the necessary network infrastructure and centralized administration. An Android ad hoc network facilitates implementation of applications that require collaboration such as entertainment multiuser games and p2p communications. Android ad hoc networks can facilitate ubiquitous computing in areas such as home applications where wireless sensors and actuators are embedded in consumer electronics. The Android OS runs in smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, smart TVs and most recently in autos for navigational systems, information systems and entertainment application. There has been enthusiasm in the implementation of Android ad hoc networks. The unique characteristics of MANETs require for specialized implementations for Service and resource discovery, addressing and Internet connectivity and security and node cooperation among others. This research presents an implementation of Service Discovery middleware for Android Mobile ad-hoc networks. The implementation overlays a Mobile Ad-hoc Network implementation. We propose a routing implementation that is based on the Ad-hoc On-Demand Distance Vector protocol, with modifications to reduce control message overhead. We also developed an implementation of a Semantic approach for description of services on mobile devices, that facilitates semantic service discovery in Android OS Mobile Ad Hoc Networks. The implementation was tested by simulating the routing implementation. An Android based prototype was developed and tested on a range of devices. We deduce from the protoype that it is possible for android devices to share resources and services in ad hoc networks.