Universal Imaging Sensor

In the conduct of modern warfare, situation awareness of forces and the locality of hostile elements are of paramount importance. Other non-imaging sensors such as acoustic and seismic ones are helpful toward this end, but their probability of detect and target identification ability are limited. The only absolute representation of the situation is a video image. This proposal presents the design of a wireless imaging sensor that could deliver a video frame of the targeted object area back to the base station for analysis and action. Commercial-off-the-shelf components will be exploited for their cost-effectiveness. Packaging schemes will be designed to integrate the video sensor and transmitter for a compact structure. These low-cost imaging sensors can be deployed in an autonomous mode, or be configured in a network for maximum coverage. This video network will contain adaptive protocols for maximum efficiency. To conserve power, novel power supply techniques will be implemented, and other triggers will be deployed to activate the sensors when necessary. Transceiver-repeaters will be strategically positioned for video transmission range extension. This imaging sensor incorporates object recognition algorithms so that only significant intrusion will be processed and alerted for further action.