The Reference Points of an Ambient Network

The features and traits of an Ambient Network as well as the core design choices governing the development of Ambient Network components have already been described in various publications. The only prescriptive definitions of such networks though concern the reference points they expose. These reference points determine how the services an Ambient Network offers to external entities can be accessed. Demanding compliance to the specifications of the reference points in the end guarantees compatibility across all elements participating in the federation of Ambient Networks and finally ensures that the Ambient Network concept of co-operating independent networks is achieved. This paper presents the role and the structure of the three reference points and discusses the realization of each of them in separate chapters. The paper thus serves as an excellent introduction to the observable characteristics of Ambient Networks.