Computer Engineering Department
Islamic University of Gaza
ECOM 9301
Special Topics (Ubiquitous Computing)
PhD Course
Spring 2022-2023
Syllabus & Course Overview
Mohammad A. Mikki
Professor of Computer Engineering
College of Engineering
Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine
Instructor’s Info.
Mohammad A. Mikki
Professor of Computer Engineering
College of Engineering
Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine
Email: mmikki@iugaza.edu.ps
Homepage: http://site.iugaza.edu.ps/mmikki
Tel.: +970-08-2644400 Ext. 2850
Office: Admin. Building Room B347
Office Hours
TBA
and by Appointment
Course Information
Course Code:
Course Name:
Number of credits:
ECOM 9301
Special Topics (Ubiquitous Computing)
PhD Course
3
Course Description
Pervasive computing is a term describing the concept of integrating computation into the environment, rather than having
computers which are distinct objects. Promoters of this idea hope that embedding computation into the environment would
enable people to move around and interact with computers more naturally than they currently do.
“Pervasive computing represents a major evolutionary step in a line of work dating back to the mid-1970’s. Two distinct
earlier steps in this evolution are distributed systems and mobile computing. Some of the technical problems in pervasive
computing correspond to problems already identified and studied earlier in the evolution. In some of those cases, existing
solutions apply directly; in other cases, the demands of pervasive computing are sufficiently different that new solutions
have to be sought. There are also new problems introduced by pervasive computing that have no obvious mapping to
problems studied earlier.”
Pervasive Computing is also commonly known as Ubiquitous Computing (although some view Ubiquitous Computing as the
most advanced stage of Pervasive Computing). Other, less (and much less) popular equivalents include Invisible
Computing, Ambient Informatics, and Everyware.
The Ubiquitous Computing course was one of the first of its kind when it was created back in 2003. Its goal is to train
students in software development for mobile devices. Initially, the course used the Windows mobile platform; programming
included not only smartphones, but also custom-made sensors, such as 3D accelerometers that were Bluetooth enabled.
With the introduction of the iPhone in 2008, the UC course was one of the first nationwide to switch platforms. The iPhone
brought a revolution in mobile computing by redefining the user-interface and incorporating a number of sensors, such as
3D accelerometer and GPS, in the device itself.
introduces the field of ubiquitous computing, including sensors, ambient displays, tangibles, mobility, and location- and
context-awareness. In addition, course addresses wireless and mobile computing, interaction devices being woven into our
daily life and invisible, has created boundless opportunities for in-the-world computing applications that can transform our
lives.
Course Description
Ubiquitous computing is a multidisciplinary research area that draws from sensors, machine learning,
signal processing, human computer interaction, as well as psychology and sociology.
These topics are explored from a user-centered design perspective, focusing on how a situated
models of computing affect requirements gathering, interaction design, prototyping, and evaluation.
Students gain mastery with contemporary Ubiquitous Computing technologies and learn to
incorporate them into a user-centered design process.
This class combines lectures, quizzes and research papers presentations, reading state of the art
research papers, class discussions and a final project.
Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing are often referred to as the third generation of computing where
users continuously interact not with just one but many computing devices. The latter are thereby
embedded into the everyday environment of their users in such a way that users—ultimately—will not
even be aware of their interaction with computers.
Course will focus on aspects of how to actually make, that is build and deploy, mobile and ubiquitous
computing systems.
Course Description
The aim of this class will be to introduce you to ubiquitous computing (ubicomp). We will focus on how traditional topics
of computing have evolved to support the vision of a connected, portable, and human-centric computing environment.
Because ubicomp is an applied field, the course covers contributions across various fields: human-computer
interaction, embedded computing, computer vision, distributed systems, machine learning, and electrical engineering.
You will gain practical experience in developing sensing systems for activity recognition and gestural interaction. The
course will be a combination of lectures, tutorials, class discussions, and demonstrations. You will be evaluated on your
class participation, reading summaries, and individual assignments/mini-projects (6 assignments in total). Occasional
tutorials on necessary skills will be provided at the first half of the class-time (e.g., Android and Arduino programming).
The rest of the class time will be used for discussions on the required readings. You are allowed to work in groups to
learn the material, but are required to complete and submit individual work. There are no pre-requisites for the course.
Course Objectives
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To understand the characteristics and principles of Pervasive computing
To introduce to the enabling technologies of pervasive computing
To understand the basic issues and performance requirements of pervasive computing
applications
To learn the trends of pervasive computing
Course Tentative Topics
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Overview of the field and past, present, and future of Ubiquitous Computing
Prototyping mobile and ubiquitous computing technology
Sensors and sensor data analysis including applied machine learning
Eye and gesture based interaction
Evaluation of mobile and ubiquitous computing systems
Smart homes and Infrastructure Mediated Sensing
Overview of wearable computing: Challenges and design processes
Head mounted displays
Location technologies and how to use them
Privacy in mobile and ubiquitous computing
Context aware computing
Real world applications: implications and challenges
Course Learning Outcomes
This course aims to provide students with an overview and the foundations of the research field of the
third generation of computing (and beyond). Through active, practical explorations the course aims to
provide an appreciation of the practical potential the field offers for researchers and practitioners.
Intended Outcomes
Knowledge
Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:
 Build on the foundations of mobile and ubiquitous computing to develop practical applications;
 Discern the capabilities of different components of mobile and ubiquitous computing, which allows
for informed decisions on the usefulness and usability of resulting interface and potential technical
challenges;
 Exploit the potential of mobile and ubiquitous computing techniques for real-world applications.
 Describe the important issues and concerns on security and privacy in ubiquitous computing.
 List and exemplify the key technologies involved in the development Ubicomp systems
 Understand the aspects of context awareness
Skills
Through active course participation the students will gain:

The ability to appreciate and analyze the foundations of the third generation of computing (Mobile
and Ubiquitous Computing)
 The ability to use methods of mobile and ubiquitous computing in innovative, real-world practical
applications.
Course Website

http://moodle.iugaza.edu.ps
 http://site.iugaza.edu.ps/mmikki/
 “Facebook” course page:
Spr2023-UbiquitousComputing
Class Information
Section
101
201
Days
Mon.
Mon.
Time
15:00-18:00
15:00-18:00
Location
I418
I418
Required Textbooks
We will put more focus on scientific articles rather than on a single textbook.
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
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Ubiquitous Computing: Smart Devices, Environments and Interactions, Stefan Poslad, John
Wiley and Sons, Ltd., 2009
Ubiquitous Computing Fundamentals, John Krumm, CRC Press, 2010
Fundamentals of Mobile and Pervasive Computing, Frank Adelstein, Sandeep Gupta, Golden
Richard III, Loren Schwiebert, McGraw Hills, 2005
Pervasive Computing Concepts Technologies and Applications, Minyi Guo, Jingyu Zhou, Feilong
Tang, Yao Shenm, 2017
Reference Books:
 Pervasive Computing, Jochen Burkhardt, Horst Henn, Stefan Hepper, Klaus Rindtor, Thomas
Schaeck Pearson, Eighteenth Impression, 2014.
 Pervasive Computing and Networking, Mohammads, Obaidait, Denko, Woungang John, Wiley &
Sons, 2011
 Context-Aware Computing Pervasive Systems, Seng Loke, Auerbach Pub., New York, 2007
 Handbook On Mobile And Ubiquitous Computing Status And Perspective, Laurence T. Yang,
CRC Press, 2012
Required Papers
See “Class Schedule” slides
Class Schedule
Week
Topic
1
Sat.
11.02
Course
Introduction
2
Sat.
18.02
3
Sat.
25.02
4
Sat.
04.03
Textbook/Reading Material
Assignment
Presenter
 Syllabus
 Course Overview
 Introduction to course project
 Chapter 1 of Pervasive Computing Concepts Technologies
and Applications-Minyi Guo, Jingyu Zhou-2017
Ubiquitous
 Chapter 1 of Ubiquitous Computing: Smart Devices,
Computing Basics
Environments and Interactions, Stefan Poslad, John Wiley
and Sons, Ltd, Publication, 2009
 The Computer for the 21st Century, Mark Weiser, Scientific
Ubiquitous
American, 1991
Computing Basics
 Beyond Weiser From Ubiquitous to Collective Computing-2016
(Cont.)
 Introduction to Ubiquitous computing-2015
Applications and
Requirements
 Chapter 2 of Ubiquitous Computing: Smart Devices,
Environments and Interactions, Stefan Poslad, John Wiley
and Sons, Ltd, Publication, 2009
Instructor
Instructor
Instructor
 Quiz1 on
Ubiquitous
Computing
Basics
 Project
Proposal
(Video)
Instructor
Class Schedule
Week
5
Sat.
11.03
6
Sat.
18.03
7
Sat.
25.03
8
Sat.
01.04
Topic
Applications and
Requirements
(Cont.)
Textbook/Reading Material
 Ubiquitous Computing in Sports and Physical
Activity—Recent-2022
 Designing for the Ubiquitous Computing era-Pierrick
Thébault-France-2011
 Ubiquitous computing Applications and research
opportunities-2016
Smart Devices and
Services:
- Wearable
computing:

Glass and
Augmented
Reality, EyeTracking, Digital
Pen and Paper
Assignment
Presenter
Instructor
Chapter 4 “Smart Mobiles, Cards and Device
Networks” of Smart Devices, Environments and
Interactions, Stefan Poslad, John Wiley and Sons,
Ltd, Publication, 2009
 Quiz2 on
Applications and
Requirements
Students
 Statement of
work
(Video+PDF)
 Use-Smart Devices-UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING
SMART DEVICES AND SERVICES-2015
Smart Devices and
 Use-Smart Devices-Enabling Pervasive Computimg
Services
With Smart Phones-2005
(Cont.)
 Use-Smart Devices-Typical Sensors needed in
Ubiquitous and Pervasive Computing
Students
Human Computer
Interaction
 Chapter 5 “Human–Computer Interaction” of Smart
Devices, Environments and Interactions, Stefan
Poslad, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd, Publication, 2009
 Quiz3 on Smart
Devices and
Services
Students
 Project Update
#1 (Video)
Class Schedule
Week
9
Sat.
08.04
10
Sat.
15.04
11
Sat.
22.04
Topic
Textbook/Reading Material
Human Computer
Interaction
(Cont.)
 The Human Experience-ieee2002
 Interface and Infrastructure Design for Ubiquitous
Pen-Based Interaction on Paper-2007
 An Overview of Human-Computer Interaction Patterns
in Pervasive Systems
 Quiz4 on
Ubiquitous
Computing
Human
 Chapter 11 “Ubiquitous Communication” of Smart
Networking
Computer
Devices, Environments and Interactions, Stefan
- NFC, Wireless
Interaction
Poslad, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd, Publication, 2009
LAN
Context Awareness
 Quiz5 on
 Chapter 7 “Context-Aware Systems” of Smart
- Location aware
Ubiquitous
Devices, Environments and Interactions, Stefan
computing,
Computing
Poslad, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd, Publication, 2009
- Developing
Networking
 Chapter 8 “Context-Aware Computing “ of
Context-aware
Ubiquitous Computing Fundamentals, John Krumm,  Project Update
Applications
#2 (Video)
CRC Press, 2010

12
Sat.
29.04
Assignment
Context Awareness 
(Cont.)

Context Modeling and Context-Aware Service
Adaptation for Pervasive Computing Systems-2008
Location Systems for Ubiquitous Computing-IEEEAug.2001
Contexts enabled Decision Making using sensors to
perceive Environment-2018
Presenter
Students
Students
Students
Students
Class Schedule
Week
13
Sat.
06.05
14
Sat.
13.05
15
Sat.
20.05
16
Sat.
27.05
Wed.
31.05
Topic
Textbook/Reading Material
Middleware for
Ubiquitous
Computing
 Chapter 5 “Introduction to Mobile Middleware” of
Fundamentals of Mobile and Pervasive Computing,
Frank Adelstein, Sandeep Gupta, Golden Richard III,
Loren Schwiebert, McGraw Hills, 2005
 Middleware for pervasive computing A survey-2012
 A Survey on Middleware in Pervasive EnvironmentsDec2013
Security in
Ubiquitous
Computing
- Privacy and
security in
ubiquitous
computing
Ubiquitous
Computing
Challenges
Assignment



 PRIVACY IN UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING-2009-44pg
Quiz6 on
Context
Awareness
Students
Project Update
#3 (Video)
Quiz7 on
Middleware for
Students
Ubiquitous
Computing
 Chapter 13 “Ubiquitous System: Challenges and
Outlook” of Smart Devices, Environments and
 Quiz8 on
Interactions, Stefan Poslad, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd,
Security in
Publication, 2009
Ubiquitous
 Towards Robust Ubicomp A Comprehensive Review
Computing
on the Grand Challenges of Ubiquitous ComputingJul.2021
 Quiz9 on
 In-class Project Presentations
Ubiquitous
 Project Final Report (PDF)
Computing
 Project Poster
Challenges
Last Day of Classes
Presenter
Students
Students
Deliverables and Grading
Quizzes
30%
Lecture presentation
20%
Project with publishable paper deliverable
 (six presentations: 5 video submissions, 1 in-class)
 Graded individually, everyone must participate
 2 written reports (No late submissions accepted)
50%
Quizzes
 To ensure that students understand the theory, a quiz will be
administered of each topic (on Moodle).
 It will cover material from the previous week(s).
 The quizzes are either Multiple Choice or True/False or both.
 Duration of each quiz is 10-15 minutes.
Lecture Presentations
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•
•
•
•
Each student will be required to give presentation of few technical papers/Textbook material
during the semester.
These presentations are conducted individually where each student is assigned different
papers/Textbook material to present.
. Each student will have approximately 30 minutes to present the paper/Textbook material.
As specified in the syllabus, this presentation is worth 20% of your course grade.
Lecture Presentation Evaluation:
– 20% of the presentation grade will be based on your visuals aids. This does not mean
you need a PowerPoint slide show, but you may use one if you would like. If your
presentation consists of you reading the text off of your visual aid, you will lose some
points in this category.
– 30% of your grade will be based on presentation skills. This will be evenly divided
between organization, timing and communication skills.
– 50% of the grade will be based on depth and accuracy of technical content. Your
audience is students who have taken this class. Therefore, do not spend more than a
minute or two on material already covered in class. However, also do not assume
Ubiquitous Computing knowledge beyond what has been covered in class.
Course Project
Students will work on practical projects that address cutting edge real world problems and will develop
innovative solutions to it through means of ubiquitous computing.
Existing programming skills are of benefit (for mobile platforms, and/or for lower level device control;
for web platforms). For some projects experience with data analysis frameworks such as Python, R, or
Matlab is of benefit. Other projects will build on foundations of electrical engineering and
manufacturing.
Projects will mostly belong to the “selected areas” identified or accepted by the instructor. There will be
three basic types of projects: Modeling projects, simulation projects, or implementation projects.
All projects will be developed under instructor’s supervision.
Project Teams
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Students will form project teams of at least two — as soon as the semester starts.
Work on team research projects.
Students are responsible for forming their own teams based on common interests and/or
complementary skills.
Teams have the option to come up with their own suitable project topic, In either case, student
teams are encouraged to work closely with the instructor to identify a project topic.
All members of a project team will fill a team contract in which they formulate their goals and
objectives, their anticipated roles within the project, and their overall ambitions. This contract is a
required deliverable (pass / fail grade) and will be used throughout the project to keep track of
project progress and especially the individual contributions of all team members.
Project Ideas
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Some of the projects will require rapid prototyping with microcontrollers, sensors, and common items
like safety glasses and straws.
For the prototyping exercise, as well as for general prototyping activities, the following kit, can be
purchased at the beginning of the class.
Name
ELEGOO UNO Project Super Starter Kit with Tutorial and
UNO R3 Compatible with Arduino IDE
Description Starter kit for Arduino-like prototyping containing
breadboard, jumper cables, selection of sensors and
actuators, power supply, tutorial etc. Compatible with
Arduino UNO R3, MEGA 2560 R3, NANO.
Purchasing
option
https://tinyurl.com/MUChardware (Amazon, likely to be
available elsewhere as well)
Approximat $35
e cost
Note
If students already have access to similar hardware, then
there is no need to purchase.
Project Ideas
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Project ideas will be provided by the instructor but can also be defined by the students.
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All projects need to be discussed with and approved by the instructor.
Teams will start exploring the wider area of ubiquitous computing in order to get an understanding of what interests
them and what direction their project could go.
Ideally it should be challenging to push students out of their comfort zone and thus to enable learning, whilst at the
same time not being unrealistically over-ambitious.
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This is an advanced programming project and thus, time-consuming by its nature.
List of Project areas:
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Context-aware computing
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Proactive computing
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Mobile and real-time data/media management
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Multimedia data and sensing dissemination
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Mobility management
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Location-dependent query processing, and positioning.
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Context- Driven HCI Service Selection, Scenario Study: Video Calls at a Smart Office, A Web Service– Based HCI
Migration Framework .
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Pervasive Mobile Transactions: Mobile Transaction Framework, Context-Aware Pervasive Transaction Model,
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Case Studies: iCampus Prototype, IPSpace: An IPv6-Enabled Intelligent Space.
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research projects in the areas including opportunistic networks (a specialized kind of pervasive ad hoc networks,
a.k.a. opportunistic resource utilization networks), smart office and home spaces, and sensornets.
Project deliverables
Project with publishable paper deliverable
Each team will provide the following deliverables through the semester.
Through the semester, teams will prepare multiple project presentations and written reports as follow.
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Project Proposal: As with any research project, the team will start by doing a literature survey to study the related
work in their chosen project area. The team will be responsible for preparing and giving a brief presentation
describing their project area, the related work, and a high-level proposal to extend beyond the state of the art.
Statement of Work (SoW): Once the initial background and project idea is established, teams will work to
properly scope their project and identify a set of tasks/milestones to target through the semester. Each team will
give a brief presentation of their expected project tasks and outcomes in a SoW presentation and submit a
corresponding report.
Project Progress updates (3 updates): Teams will prepare a sequence of brief presentations to update their
progress toward their expected outcomes, discuss any roadblocks or challenges faced, present any changes to
the SoW, and give a brief demonstration if appropriate.
Final Presentation (in-class) and Report: Each team will present their final project outcomes, including a brief
demonstration if time permits, as final presentations are strictly limited in time. Each team will also submit a final
report detailing their project goals and outcomes, including a conference-style paper and poster.
Submission Instructions: All submissions should be made via Moodle. For group submissions, at least one member
of each team should submit on behalf of the group; if multiple group members submit a group deliverable, the latest
submission will be taken as final. All team member names should be included on the first page/slide of each deliverable.
Guidelines for writing proposals, report, demo, slide and video presentations will be available on Moodle and Google
Drive.
Project deliverables
Project details:
Teams of about 2-3 students
Identify your project team and topic (with my help)
Due date #points
Deliverables
Project Proposal
Week4
10
Video (5 min.)
Statement of work (SoW)
Week6
20
PDF + video
Project Update #1
Week8
10
Video (5 min.)
Project Update #2
Week11
10
Video (5 min.)
Project Update #3
Week13
10
Video (5 min.)
Final presentation in-class
week16
40
Final report
Week16
80
Word or PDF