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

72393-Defense against terrorist attacks by radiation dispersion devices or thermonuclear weapons requires widely distributed radiation sensors throughout vulnerable population centers. The sensors must rapidly and reliably communicate detections to relevant authorities for an effective threat response. Real-time response networks must provide not only early pre-event threat detection, but also, in worst case scenarios, post-event detection to facilitate emergency management. This project will develop a novel wireless sensor network based on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. The self-forming and self-healing ad-hoc network will relay data between neighboring sensors to provide links to local communications infrastructure. Wireless transceivers in the network will provide low probability of detection, strong multi-path fading resistance, low power consumption, and accurate location awareness by using UWB waveforms. In Phase I, a National Sensor Network (NSN) was analyzed to determine the requirements of the wireless sensor network. Based on these network requirements, the feasibility of an extended range UWB transceiver, which achieves the required data rate and range, was demonstrated via modeling and laboratory measurements. In Phase II, prototypes of the UWB transceiver will be built and commercial transceiver development will be initiated. A prototype NSN system will also be developed that includes the UWB transceivers, radiation sensors, ad-hoc wireless networking, and multiple communication links to threat response monitoring applications. Performance of the prototype NSN system will be verified in realistic deployment environments. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: This distributed sensor approach would be a paradigm shift from previous approaches which utilize small quantities of expensive, fixed sensors. A widely distributed solution enables defense across cities and high-profile locations such as airports, train stations, malls, and stadiums. In addition, the approach would not be limited to radiation detection alone. The network provides a data link for nearly any sensor type (i.e., temperature, chemical, biological), and applications in agriculture, industrial, and environmental monitoring would be feasible. These applications also would benefit from the improvements in security, performance in harsh radio environments, location awareness, and battery life attained by using Ultra-Wideband wireless technology.