PrioDeX

PrioDeX is a cross-layer middleware that enables prioritized, timely and effective delivery of mission-critical data from IoT sources to relevant consumers. It incorporates parameters at the application, network, and middleware layers into a data exchange service that accurately estimates end-to-end performance metrics (e.g., delays, success rates) through a queueing analytical model.

We propose novel algorithms that utilize results of this analysis to tune data exchange configurations (i.e., event priorities and dropping policies) while meeting situational awareness requirements and resource constraints. Our application-aware prioritization algorithm improves the value of exchanged information by 36% when compared with no prioritization; the addition of our network-aware drop rate policies improves this performance by 42% over priorities only and by 94% over no prioritization.

The PrioDeX prototype is developed using Software-Defined Networks (SDN) that enforce these configurations in the IoT network infrastructure and an MQTT-based message broker. In collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), we motivate the need of using the PrioDeX system in a structural firefighting use case in order to study how responders can receive real-time data from sensors located in the environment, such as those on buildings, equipment, and on responders themselves in an efficient and timely manner.

Useful links and references

• PrioDeX is developed as part of the SciFire NIST research project.
• PrioDeX in the news: NFPA article