Flexible, Auto-configuring, Sensor, Transmission Web (FASTWeb)

Williams-Pyro Inc., WPI, is proposing to develop a Miniature Netted Sensor (MNS) system - a modular sensor web system that aggregates sensor data to detect, track, and classify targets. Our solution combines aggregate data analysis, ultra-low power, low-bandwidth wireless networking with energy-efficient routing protocols. The MNS system consists of the following components: A) Modular wireless sensor nodes which consist of three parts: 1. a front-end sensing module with integrated sensors, processing elements and open interfaces to support future sensing enhancements; 2. a communications module to provide secure, power efficient, fault tolerant, communications; and 3. a power conditioning module to support various power sources as well as energy harvesting. B) Localization nodes have the same sensing capabilities as the sensor nodes but also have an integrated GPS unit so that they can function as localization anchors. C) A data aggregation/gateway node to aggregate and bridge data to other networks. Finally, D) Back-end knowledge management system to collect and correlate sensor data from the network to arrive at a system wide decision as to the number and threat level of targets within the system's sphere of detection. The system employs ad-hoc networking to provide a readily scaleable architecture to perform comprehensive surveillance.