A semantic database framework for context management in heterogeneous wireless networks

Recent developments in computer science and networking raise the need to develop new families of applications that are sensitive to user and ambient contexts. The objective is to offer personalized services that can be adapted to users' needs within heterogeneous, complex and dynamic environments. This requires enhanced and generic solutions for context representation and retrieval as well as for the interactions between heterogeneous system components. In this paper, we propose a conceptual model and a software framework using semantic ontologies to build semantic context databases. This approach is then applied to the heterogeneous wireless networks' use case. Contextual information is implemented using first order logic and OWL to promote expressiveness and interoperability. The different steps to build the framework are detailed. Measurements and performance results are then provided and enhancements with concept/instance separation approach are discussed.