Placement of Sensing and Communications platforms for Enhanced C4ISR Operations

The goal of this effort is to develop prototype algorithms to determine the optimal positioning of sensors and communications platforms relative to the C4ISR mission objectives. Sensor positioning is critical in achieving time sensitive targeting in a distributed sensor network management environment. In this dynamic sensor environment it is crucial to understand how to quickly position and leverage already positioned sensors and communication frameworks to capture and report on targets of interest. The warfighter will benefit from the capability to quickly position and re-position sensors optimizing the collection of targets over the available communication network by using Opti-Net. Opti-Net is a set of algorithms for optimal placement of networked sensors in a dynamic sensor and communication environment. Opti-Net solves the multivariate problem of matching sensors, communication networks, targets, and environment to determine how to best collect on a given target given the context of the current mission objectives. Ticom Geomatics and Dr. Weilian Su are leveraging significant algorithm experience with geolocation, beamforming, and mesh-net communication networking to develop the capability to optimize sensors and communication networks in a constantly evolving environment. BENEFITS: The anticipated benefits of this effort is to be able to leverage the existing capabilities of all participating networked sensors maximizing the sensor capabilities and communication infrastructure to achieve maximum coverage of high value targets of interest in a given area for both sparse and dense sensor networks. Commercialization opportunities exist in both the military and commercial sensor networks environments such as home security networks, port and building protection as well as entertainment communication networks.