A cross-layer signaling and middleware platform for multi-interface mobile devices

Abstract

This paper presents a middleware platform approach to provide Cross-layer Signaling and Network Event Notification mechanisms for network-aware applications. Because a mobile device may be equipped with multiple network interfaces to attach different network as it moves, a network-aware application running on the mobile device must react promptly to the changes of network environment. In order for the applications to detect network changes, the proposed middleware platform provides APIs for setting up network configuration and acquiring low-layer statuses. Therefore, an application can detect network changes promptly via Network Event Notification mechanism. We also use two network-aware applications, namely a Mobility Manager and a Modified Kphone, as examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of our middleware platform.