Awareness-based Compressed Data Collection and Dynamic Resource Management for Large-Scale Sensor Networks

For large-scale complex systems, situation awareness calls for a holistic approach to information collection, decision making and resource management. In this project, several key technical innovations are proposed to attain predictive and responsive situation awareness. We holistically put together several critical functional blocks to cope with dynamic spatial-temporal battlefield: I) large-scale fast data acquisition using compressive and active sensing; II) cooperative in-networking processing among network nodes using distributed optimization and control; III) game-theoretic competition for combat; and, IV) unified network-centric resource management governing all of I) II) and III). These functionalities are intertwined in attaining robust situation awareness; as a result, this project will provide a unified treatment to these functional blocks through distributed network optimization and gaming. Agglomerating all these functionalities, we introduce novel information-awareness metrics to enable responsive situation awareness under mission-critical conditions. BENEFIT: The proposed awareness based space sensor resources management algorithms have tremendous potential applications in the military sector. It can be directly used for the development of advanced mission planning and emergency preparedness decision support systems such as Space Situational Awareness Fusion Intelligent Research Environment (SAFIRE) program, US Space surveillance Network and Space Command and Control programs, Predictive Awarness & Net-Centric Analysis for Colalborative Intel Assessment (PANACIA), JSARS,  Century ASW Concept of Operations (CONOPs), BMDS system, Future Combat System (FCS), Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, and JSSEO program. During the Phase I, we will work closely with Lockheed Martin MS2, who is a primary contractor on the Aegis weapon system, the Littoral Combat Ship, and C2 lead for the DDG-1000 program. We have developed a concrete and realistic plan to transition our technology to their programs (See support letter). In addition, DCM and Lockheed Martin are building a mentor-protégé program. We will leverage this relationship to identify the end customer, and work with these teams to transition our Phase 2 technology into their program. The DoD contact who knows the details of our work and who knows the above programs is Dr. Erik Blasch from AFRL. The market for military applications is quite large.Other potential commercial applications include medical diagnosis, quality inspection, disaster assessment, air traffic control system, the national weather service, physical security systems, law enforcement agency, emergency control center, border and coast patrol, pollution monitoring, remote sensing and global awareness. We expect the aggregated market size will be similar to that of military applications.