A Low Cost National Sensor Network (NSN) Using Rapidly Deployable Wireless Technology

72393S03-I Conservative estimates have shown that the attack of September 11th had more than a $200 billion dollar impact on the U.S. economy. An attack using a radiological dispersion device (i.e. a "dirty bomb") would be devastating to the U.S. economy and the psyche of our country. New sensor technology could significantly minimize the threat of such a terrorist nuclear attack. For widespread deployment, the sensor technology would need to be low cost and easy to disseminate. This will require a paradigm shift from expensive, fixed or wired networking solutions to a flexible, secure wireless network. This project will develop a wireless sensor network that interfaces to standard management systems. Phase I will define and architect a national sensor network. Simulations for optimum coverage/detection scenarios will be explored. Interface requirements, network topologies, and wireless technologies will be investigated, with a focus on failsafe and secure solutions. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: Nuclear nonproliferation sensing is only one of many possible uses for this technology. There is huge potential in both fuel cell and power plant applications for similar types of sensors. Typical costs to install a fixed sensor network in a nuclear plant are approximately $5-6 million dollars; a large percentage of this cost is associated with the installation and infrastructure for this network. Outside the nuclear industry, the industrial controls/sensing market is roughly $5 billion.