Seamless Sensor Network Communications

Irvine Sensors Corporation together with the University of Southern California propose to develop a novel noncoherent seamless sensor network called "SCOUT" (Figure 1) that involves space-time coding technique, capable of transmitting multiple radio frequencies. SCOUT reconfigures itself upon learning (detecting) its nearest SCOUT neighbor(s) thus becoming a coherent network. Traditionally, sensors have been limited by their processing power, amount of battery power, size of memory and data transmission capabilities. Much of the battery consumption occurs at the learning stage of noncoherent networks. Our approach involves the use of commercially available components that Irvine Sensors can miniaturize their size into a small, power efficient device, to maximize the sensing and data transmission rate of the sensor. The power consumption used within each device is controlled and optimized within the FPGA logic using novel power algorithms from the University of Southern California and a novel data sensor awareness technique.