A Middleware framework for infrastructure-less communication on smart devices

Abstract

Smartphones play a pivotal role in daily life, prompting researchers to increasingly emphasize peer-to-peer networks for connecting multiple mobile devices. This focus arises from scenarios where cellular coverage is unavailable, such as during disasters or conflicts when cellular tower communications are compromised. Researchers are currently exploring methods for individuals to connect with nearby users to establish social connections in such challenging circumstances. This research presents the implementation of a middleware framework for infrastructure-less communication, comprising the Meshify API and the Meshify Core. The Meshify API provides interfaces for integrating the framework into applications, offering methods for device connectivity. The Meshify Core implements the necessary logic to manage the framework's functionality through the Meshify API. The middleware implementation is versatile and can be applied to various use cases involving wireless communication. Its layered architecture and modular design enable developers to extend their capabilities with minimal effort, ensuring adaptability to evolving wireless standards and protocols. As part of this research, a Bluetooth multi-chat Android application was developed as a prototype to evaluate how the middleware facilitates communication over wireless networks.