Location Management in Pervasive Systems

Pervasive systems require context awareness in order to be able to provide “anywhere, anytime” computing to mobile users. One type of context information is location information: pervasive systems require knowledge of the location of users, devices and services. This paper reviews location management for pervasive systems. The review is based on our experience in the development of a location management system. Issues discussed include the types of location sensors (which are categorised as physical, virtual or logical); the processing of location information; and an architecture for a location management system. Three issues of ongoing importance are discussed in greater detail. These are location conflict resolution (i.e., how can the location of an entity be determined when multiple sensors provide conflicting information); the security and privacy of location information; and scalability issues in location management.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2003
• Where: ACSW
• Authors: Jadwiga Indulska, Peter Sutton
• Keywords: ACSW 2003, ACSW 2007, Location Management, Location Management System, Pervasive Systems