A framework architecture supporting interoperability for heterogeneous networked systems

In recent years, several network services regarding multimedia, sensor, control and many other applications are becoming more and more popular. It is envisaged that every mobile electronic device will have a wireless network interface that allows it to join in general, heterogeneous networks and exchange information among its devices. From the user perspective, these devices must work transparently and any communication must be performed efficiently with respect to QoS and heterogeneity. In this paper, a framework architecture is presented to support interoperability for heterogeneous networked systems. The proposed framework design is accompanied by a generalized set of device characteristics that provides the adequate mechanisms for exposing the different devices particularities in a unified way to the application.