Seamless Sensor Network Communications

Toyon/UCSB proposes to research and design architectures for sensor networks to efficiently communicate to antenna array enabled collectors. Communication will take place in a coordinated fashion such that space-time coding can be employed. This technique can be exploited for a variety of purposes ranging from distribution of signal transmission, for even dispersion of communication load each sensor must handle, to environmental consideration such as low probability of interception (LPI)/detection (LPD) or anti-jam requirements. While multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and space-time coding has been heavily researched for systems employing antenna arrays, on both transmit and receive portions of a communications link, its application to sensor networks presents a unique set of challenges. Some of these include the appropriate partitioning of information among the sensors and associated coding to be employed. Furthermore, resource management must be employed to efficiently coordinate sensor activity. Such management will involve gathering information on network connectivity and channel states, through techniques such as sounding, as well as determining transmission parameters for individual sensors. Due to a well rounded combination of experience and academic background, our Toyon/UCSB team is well positioned to analyze and provide practical solutions to the proposed problem.