WO2001026330A2 - Reseaux de radiosenseurs integres hybrides en inter-reseau, et procede correspondant - Google Patents

Reseaux de radiosenseurs integres hybrides en inter-reseau, et procede correspondant Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001026330A2
WO2001026330A2 PCT/US2000/027600 US0027600W WO0126330A2 WO 2001026330 A2 WO2001026330 A2 WO 2001026330A2 US 0027600 W US0027600 W US 0027600W WO 0126330 A2 WO0126330 A2 WO 0126330A2
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Prior art keywords
node
network
wins
nodes
data
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PCT/US2000/027600
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English (en)
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WO2001026330A3 (fr
WO2001026330A8 (fr
Inventor
David C. Gelvin
Lewis D. Girod
William J. Kaiser
William M. Merrill
Frederic Newberg
Gregory J. Pottie
Anton I. Sipos
Sandeep Vardhan
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Sensoria Corporation
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Priority claimed from US09/684,565 external-priority patent/US7020701B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/680,608 external-priority patent/US7904569B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/680,550 external-priority patent/US6735630B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/685,020 external-priority patent/US6832251B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/685,019 external-priority patent/US6826607B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/685,018 external-priority patent/US6859831B1/en
Application filed by Sensoria Corporation filed Critical Sensoria Corporation
Priority to AU11926/01A priority Critical patent/AU1192601A/en
Publication of WO2001026330A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001026330A2/fr
Publication of WO2001026330A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001026330A3/fr
Publication of WO2001026330A8 publication Critical patent/WO2001026330A8/fr

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/10—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device
    • B60R25/1004—Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/30—Detection related to theft or to other events relevant to anti-theft systems
    • B60R25/33—Detection related to theft or to other events relevant to anti-theft systems of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V1/00—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
    • G01V1/22—Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/009—Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/10—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/10—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/12—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2325/00—Indexing scheme relating to vehicle anti-theft devices
    • B60R2325/10—Communication protocols, communication systems of vehicle anti-theft devices
    • B60R2325/101—Bluetooth
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2325/00—Indexing scheme relating to vehicle anti-theft devices
    • B60R2325/10—Communication protocols, communication systems of vehicle anti-theft devices
    • B60R2325/105—Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
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    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/003—Address allocation methods and details
    • G—PHYSICS
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    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
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    • G08B25/007—Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
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    • H04K2203/00—Jamming of communication; Countermeasures
    • H04K2203/10—Jamming or countermeasure used for a particular application
    • H04K2203/18—Jamming or countermeasure used for a particular application for wireless local area networks or WLAN
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
    • H04K3/00—Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
    • H04K3/40—Jamming having variable characteristics
    • H04K3/45—Jamming having variable characteristics characterized by including monitoring of the target or target signal, e.g. in reactive jammers or follower jammers for example by means of an alternation of jamming phases and monitoring phases, called "look-through mode"
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
    • H04K3/00—Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
    • H04K3/60—Jamming involving special techniques
    • H04K3/65—Jamming involving special techniques using deceptive jamming or spoofing, e.g. transmission of false signals for premature triggering of RCIED, for forced connection or disconnection to/from a network or for generation of dummy target signal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
    • H04K3/00—Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
    • H04K3/80—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function
    • H04K3/82—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function related to preventing surveillance, interception or detection
    • H04K3/825—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function related to preventing surveillance, interception or detection by jamming
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
    • H04K3/00—Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
    • H04K3/80—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function
    • H04K3/82—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function related to preventing surveillance, interception or detection
    • H04K3/827—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function related to preventing surveillance, interception or detection using characteristics of target signal or of transmission, e.g. using direct sequence spread spectrum or fast frequency hopping
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
    • H04K3/00—Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
    • H04K3/80—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function
    • H04K3/94—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function related to allowing or preventing testing or assessing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/08—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/10—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for controlling access to devices or network resources
    • H04L63/105—Multiple levels of security
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L69/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services independent of the application payload and not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • H04L69/30—Definitions, standards or architectural aspects of layered protocol stacks
    • H04L69/32—Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
    • H04L69/322—Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions
    • H04L69/329—Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/005—Moving wireless networks
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
    • Y02D30/00—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
    • Y02D30/70—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wireless communication networks

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of intelligent networks that include connection to the physical world.
  • the invention relates to providing distributed network and Internet access to sensors, controls, and processors that are embedded in equipment, facilities, and the environment.
  • Sensor networks are a means of gathering information about the physical world and then, after computations based upon these measurements, potentially influencing the physical world.
  • An example includes sensors embedded in a control system for providing information to a processor.
  • LWIM Low-power Wireless Integrated Microsensors
  • CMOS integrated infrared sensor Proceedings of International Solid State Sensors and Actuators Conference (Transducers • 97), vol. 2, pp. 1259-62, 1997; M. J. Dong, G. Yung, and W. J. Kaiser, " Low Power Signal Processing Architectures for Network Microsensors", Proceedings of 1997 International Symposium on Low Power Electronics and Design, pp. 173-177, 1997; T.-H. Lin, H. Sanchez, R. Rofougaran, and W. J. Kaiser, "CMOS Front End Components for Micropower RF Wireless Systems", Proceedings of the 1998 International Symposium on Low Power Electronics and Design, pp. 11-15, 1998; T.-H. Lin, H. Sanchez, R.
  • the LWIM-II demonstrated the feasibility of multihop, self-assembled, wireless network nodes.
  • This first network also demonstrated the feasibility of algorithms for operation of wireless sensor nodes and networks at micropower level.
  • the original WINS architecture has been demonstrated in five live fire exercises with the US Marine Corps as a battlefield surveillance sensor system.
  • this first generation architecture has been demonstrated as a condition based maintenance (CBM) sensor on board a Navy ship, the USS Rushmore.
  • CBM condition based maintenance
  • Prior military sensor systems typically included sensors with manual controls on sensitivity and radio channel selection, and one-way communication of raw data to a network master. This is wasteful of energy resources and inflexible.
  • the nodes In the LWIM network by contrast, two-way communication exists between the sensor nodes and the master, the nodes contain signal processing means to analyze the data and make decisions on what is to be communicated, and both the communications and signal processing parameters can be negotiated between the master and the sensor nodes. Further, two-way communications enables consideration of more energy-efficient network topologies such as multi-hopping.
  • the architecture is envisioned so that fusion of data across multiple types of sensors is possible in one node, and further, so that the signal processing can be layered between special purpose devices and the general-purpose processor to conserve power.
  • the LWIM approach to WINS represented a radical departure from past industrial and military sensor network practice. By exploiting signal processing capability at the location of the sensor, communications energy and bandwidth costs are greatly reduced, allowing the possibility of scalably large networks.
  • the DARPA sponsored a second program involving both UCLA and the Rockwell Science Center called Adaptive Wireless Arrays for Interactive Reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in Small unit operations (AW AIRS), whose genesis was in 1995. Its focus has been upon the development of algorithms for self-assembly of the network and energy efficient routing without the need for masters, cooperative signal processing including beamforming and data fusion across nodes, distributed self-location of nodes, and development of supporting hardware. A self-assembling network has been demonstrated. Moreover, the AW AIRS program includes notions such as layered signal processing of signals (including use of multiple processors within nodes, as in LWIM), and data aggregation to allow scaling of the network.
  • FIG. 1 is a prior art control network 100.
  • the network 100 typically includes sensors 102, a master 104, and possibly a plurality of actuators 106 that are tightly coupled, a configuration that results in a low delay in the feedback loop.
  • the sensors 102 have parameters that are controlled by the master 104.
  • the network may include a number of controllers and actuators. Results of actuation are detected by the sensors 102, which, together with the logic in the master 104, results in a control loop.
  • raw measurements are forwarded to the master 104 with little or no processing (e.g., low pass or passband filtering).
  • the master 104 reports the results to a computer network 108. Furthermore, the master 104 accepts new programming from that network 108.
  • FIG. 2 is a prior art sensor network 200.
  • the typical network includes a number of sensor nodes 202, a master 204, and a user interface 206.
  • the master 204 is often just another sensor node, or may be a more sophisticated device.
  • the elements of the network 200 are hand registered, and there is limited self-assembly and reconfiguration capability residing in the network 200 (e.g., updating of addresses as new nodes are registered).
  • the parameters of the sensors 202 are controlled by the master 204, and raw measurements are forwarded to the master 204 with little or no processing. For example, in remote meter reading applications the meter value at some particular time is sent.
  • LWIM networks extensive processing is performed to make decisions, and thus reduce the communications traffic and relieve the burdens of the master.
  • the master 204 reports the results to the user interface 206, following some computation, using a long range communication link 208.
  • the limitation that inheres is that the interface 206 allows for downloading of new programming (for example, on a laptop computer) via the master 204.
  • new programming for example, on a laptop computer
  • Figure 3 is a prior art AWAIRS sensor network 300.
  • the 302 of the AWAIRS network 300 include extensive signal processing in order to reduce communications.
  • the sensor nodes 302 can include multiple processors of differing types, and can progress through several levels of signal processing in performing target detection and identification.
  • the sensor nodes 302 can also include ranging devices for position location.
  • the sensor nodes 302 enable cooperative behaviors such as data fusion, beamforming, and cooperative communications.
  • the network 300 is self- organizing, and will establish routing to minimize energy consumption. Multihop routing is supported.
  • the network 300 does not require long-range links, but can include them, and may directly connect to a computer and user interface 306.
  • the sensor nodes 302 may interact with a number of user interfaces 306. Data aggregation may be included in a path from the remote sensors to an end destination.
  • Figure 4 is an example of a prior art sensor network 400 using distributed signal processing.
  • Source 1 emits a signal that is detected by sensors 1, 2, and 3.
  • Sensor node 1 can become designated as a fusion center to which some combination of data and decisions are provided from sensor nodes 2 and 3.
  • Sensor node 1 then relays the decision towards the end user using a specific protocol.
  • Source 2 emits a signal that is detected by sensor node 4.
  • Sensor node 4 performs all processing and relays the resulting decision towards the end user.
  • Sensor node 6 receives the signals emitted by both sensors 1 and 4. Sensor node 6 may pass both decisions or perform some further processing, such as production ofa summary activity report, before passing information towards the end user. The end user may request fiirther information from any of the sensor nodes involved in processing data to produce a decision.
  • Figure 5 is an example scenario for self-organization in a prior-art sensor network such as AWAIRS.
  • the transceiver power consumption for reception is nearly equal to that of transmission.
  • the protocol should be designed so that radios are off as much of the time as possible, that is, the Media Access Controller (MAC) should include some variant of Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA).
  • TDMA Time-Division Multiple Access
  • the messages can combine health-keeping information, maintenance of synchronization, and reservation requests for bandwidth for longer packets. The abundant bandwidth that results from the spatial reuse of frequencies and local processing ensures that relatively few conflicts will result in these requests, and so simple mechanisms can be used.
  • the self-organization protocol combines synchronism and channel assignment functions. It supports node-to-node attachment, node-to-network attachment, and network-to-network attachment.
  • the distributed protocol assigns progressively less of the TDMA frame to invitations and listening as the network becomes more connected. The result is contention-free channel assignments for the sensor nodes in a flat (peer-to-peer) network, where the channels consist of some combination of time and frequency assignments.
  • invitation slots are allocated even when the network is mature to allow for reconfiguration.
  • the routing is then built. If the nodes are powered by batteries, the network will have a life-cycle which begins in a boot-up, proceeds through a phase of maximum functionality, decline, and finally failure. Every bit that is exchanged hastens the end of the network. Particular nodes may be more heavily stressed by traffic than others (e.g., those in the vicinity ofa gateway or other long-range link). Thus, routing protocols must to some extent be energy-aware, to sustain useful operation as long as possible. The minimum energy path is not necessarily the most desirable.
  • FIG. 6 is an example scenario of self-location in a prior art sensor network.
  • sensor nodes 2, 5, 8, and 9 contain an absolute position reference mechanism, for example Global Position System (GPS) or hand registration of position.
  • GPS Global Position System
  • all sensor nodes include transducers and receivers for radio frequency (RF) or acoustic ranging.
  • RF radio frequency
  • the network elements are homogeneous except possibly for nodes 2, 5, 8, and 9, as these nodes provide position and timing reference.
  • Sensor node algorithms estimate ranges to neighboring sensor nodes using a time difference of arrival (TDOA) scheme. The results are used to set up either linear or non-linear systems of equations using either distributed or centralized algorithms. For example, if all nodes can hear the four references, standard GPS algorithms can be used independently by each node.
  • TDOA time difference of arrival
  • a position determination is made when a sensor node hears at least four neighboring sensor nodes. While four nodes are required for an absolute position determination in a three-dimensional system, results are better when more than four nodes are detected. Also, only a small percentage of the sensor nodes of a network are required to make an absolute position determination.
  • FIG. 7 is an example of sensor/internet connections in a prior art sensor network 700.
  • the sensor nodes 702 may be cameras, interfaced to a computer by means of an electronic card.
  • the interface card 704 allows for control by a computer 706 ofa limited number of parameters.
  • the network interface 708 includes, for example, a modem card in a computer, telephone line access, or access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
  • ISP Internet Service Provider
  • the images processed by the host computer 706 can be viewed remotely by users with similar Internet access, for example when the images are placed on a publicly available World Wide Web (web) site.
  • the images placed on a web site may be downloaded and modified using remote computers 714 and interfaces 712 with web site access. While this network makes use of standard software, it requires an expensive interface between the computer 706 and each sensor node 702. Furthermore, manual configuration of the connection and the software is typically required to attach each sensor node 702 to the network 710.
  • a seismic sensor and energy detector circuit is used to trigger a digital camera under the control ofa computer.
  • the image and seismic record are conveyed by wireless means to another computer, and from there posted to a web site.
  • the trigger level can be controlled remotely via the web site.
  • only one remote unit is supported, with no networking of multiple sensors, and with the requirement of a costly interface platform, or computer, at both ends. While these examples indicate some aspects of wireless sensor network technology, many desirable features are absent.
  • Each of these systems either lacks ease of use, ability to use standard development tools to extend them, and/or ability to operate in variable or hostile environments.
  • the wireless communications technique may be vulnerable to jamming or interference, or the platform may consume too much energy for long-term remote operation, or it may lack simple connectivity to the Internet or support for database services, or only support a limited number of sensing modes.
  • Wireless network technology has progressed so that the WINS platform or set of platforms is required to support standard operating systems and development environments, and be capable of being easily integrated into larger networks. Only in this fashion can the physical world be seamlessly connected to the many resources available through the Internet and other networks.
  • the WINS platforms are required to provide a familiar and convenient research and development environment.
  • the cumbersome embedded systems of past implementations are not appropriate for this next generation of progress.
  • the custom operation systems developed for past generations of low power sensor nodes have an inconvenient development environment and are not supported by the familiar, high productivity, powerful, development tools needed by the research and development community.
  • conventional approaches would yield a system where a platform operating with a conventional embedded operating system would require excessive operating power. This prevents developers from facing and solving the challenges of low power system design.
  • the development of these essential capabilities requires a fundamentally different WINS node and network architecture.
  • the Wireless Integrated Network Sensor Next Generation (WINS NG) sensors and nodes provide distributed network and Internet access to sensors, controls, and processors that are deeply embedded in equipment, facilities, and the environment.
  • the WINS NG network is a new monitoring and control capability for applications in such sectors as transportation, manufacturing, health care, environmental monitoring, and safety and security.
  • Integrated Network Sensors combine microsensor technology, low power signal processing, low power computation, and low power, low cost wireless (and/or wired) networking capability in a compact system.
  • the WINS NG networks provide sensing, local control, and embedded intelligent systems in structures, materials, and environments.
  • the WINS NG networks provide a more efficient means of connecting the physical and computer worlds.
  • Sensor nodes self-organize to form a network, and seamlessly link to the Internet or other external network via a gateway node, which can be of the same type or different from the sensor nodes.
  • the sensor nodes can themselves be of the same type or a variety of types.
  • Network resources such as databases are available to the sensor network and the remote user through the Internet or other external network.
  • the sensor nodes are constructed in a layered fashion, both with respect to signal processing and network protocols, to enable use of standard tools, ease real-time operating systems issues, promote adaptability to unknown environments, simplify reconfiguration, and enable lower-power, continuously vigilant operation.
  • High reliability access to remote WINS NG nodes and networks enables remote interrogation and control of the sensor network; this reliability is achieved using a plurality of couplings, with automatic adjustment of the processing and communications to deal with failures of any of these couplings.
  • Linkage to databases enables extra resources to be brought to bear in analysis and archiving of events, and database methods can be used to control the entire network in a more transparent manner, to enable more efficient control and design.
  • the WINS NG technology incorporates low-energy circuitry and components to provide secure communication that is robust against deliberate and unintentional interference, by means for example of new algorithms and antenna designs.
  • the network can further include distributed position location functionality that takes advantage of the communications and sensing components of the individual nodes, to simplify deployment and enable location of targets.
  • the sensor nodes can be of a variety of types, including very simple nodes that may, for example, serve as tags. These nodes can be constructed on flexible polymer substrates, a material that may be used for a wide variety of synergistic uses. This construction results in more compact and capable systems, providing sensors, actuators, photo-cells and structural properties. Compact antennas for such packages have been developed.
  • the network includes both wireless and wired communications capability, using a common protocol and automatically choosing the more secure or lower power mode when it is available, providing more robust and long-lived operation in potentially hostile environments.
  • the network enables a wide variety of users with different data rate and power requirements to coexist as, for example, in wired or wireless mode vehicular applications. The flexibility of the design opens a wide variety of applications.
  • the layering of the WINS nodes with respect to processing and signal processing facilitates the rapid design of new applications. Layering further facilitates self-organization of complete applications, from network connections through to interoperation with remote databases accessed through external networks such as the Internet. With this layering, the cost of deployment is radically reduced even while remote operation is enabled.
  • the descriptions provided herein are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide examples of embodiments of the claimed invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
  • Figure 1 is a prior art control network.
  • Figure 2 is a prior art sensor network.
  • FIG 3 is a prior art Adaptive Wireless Arrays for Interactive Reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in Small unit operations (AWAIRS) sensor network.
  • AAIRS Small unit operations
  • Figure 4 is an example of a prior art sensor network using distributed signal processing.
  • Figure 5 is an example scenario for self-organization in a prior-art sensor network such as AWAIRS.
  • Figure 6 is an example scenario of self-location in a prior art sensor network.
  • Figure 7 is an example of sensor/internet connections in a prior art sensor network.
  • Figure 8 is an embodiment of a WINS NG network.
  • Figure 9 is another embodiment of a WINS NG network.
  • Figure 10 is a block diagram of WINS NG operation of an embodiment.
  • Figure 11 is a block diagram of processing within a WINS NG sensor node of an embodiment.
  • Figures 12 and 13 show browser screen images or pages associated with remote Internet operation of a WINS NG node of an embodiment.
  • Figure 14 is a browser screen image of an embodiment including an acquired image.
  • Figure 15 is a block diagram of a WINS NG node of an embodiment that enables rapid development of high performance signal processing applications, while preserving low-power operation.
  • Figure 16 shows the WINS NG architecture partitioning of an embodiment.
  • Figure 17 is a block diagram of a WINS NG application programming interface (API) of an embodiment.
  • Figure 18 is a block diagram of a distributed system application of an embodiment.
  • Figure 19 is a block diagram of a Sensor Interface Processor (SIP) of an embodiment.
  • Figure 20 is a WINS NG node of an alternate embodiment.
  • SIP Sensor Interface Processor
  • Figure 21 is a WINS NG network architecture of an alternate embodiment.
  • Figure 22 is a multicluster network architecture supported in an embodiment.
  • Figure 23 is a bandwidth budget for a distributed sensor network of an embodiment.
  • Figure 24 shows a WINS NG data frame format of an embodiment.
  • Figure 25 is an example of self-configuration in a WINS NG network of an embodiment.
  • Figure 26 is another example of self-configuration in a WINS NG network of an embodiment.
  • Figure 27 is one protocol for radios that are establishing links in an embodiment.
  • Figure 28 is another protocol for radios that are establishing links in an embodiment.
  • Figure 29 shows a single radio cluster.
  • Figure 30 shows a multi-cluster network.
  • Figure 31 shows another multi-cluster network.
  • Figures 32-34 show a network self-assembly example of an embodiment.
  • Figure 35 is a block diagram of a WINS NG gateway of an embodiment.
  • Figure 36 is a WINS NG network architecture of an embodiment having reliable access to remote networks.
  • Figure 37 is an example scenario of Internet access and database management of an embodiment.
  • Figures 38A and 38B are a diagram of a process flow of a state machine of an embodiment.
  • Figure 39 is an example scenario of network element self-location in a sensor network of an embodiment.
  • Figure 40 is a Pico WINS node architecture of an embodiment.
  • Figure 41 is a hybrid network including Pico WINS nodes of an embodiment.
  • Figure 42 is a Pico WINS node of an embodiment.
  • Figure 43 is a block diagram of a Pico WINS node of an alternate embodiment.
  • Figure 44 diagrams a security system using a WINS NG sensor network of an embodiment.
  • Figure 45 shows a deployment network architecture of a WINS NG sensor network of an embodiment.
  • Figure 46 is a multihop network architecture of a WINS NG sensor network of an embodiment.
  • Figure 47 shows an example of WINS NG system shielding by distribution in space in an embodiment.
  • Figure 48 shows an example of WINS NG system shielding by network routing in an embodiment.
  • Figures 49A and 49B show an example of WINS NG system shielding by distribution in frequency and time in an embodiment.
  • Figure 50 is an asset management architecture including the WINS NG or Pico WINS tags of an embodiment.
  • Figure 51 is a diagram of a vehicle internetworking system of an embodiment.
  • Figure 52 is a WINS NG network of an automotive embodiment.
  • the Wireless Integrated Network Sensor Next Generation (WINS NG) nodes of an embodiment combine sensing, signal processing, decision capability, and wireless networking capability in a compact, low power system.
  • WINS NG Wireless Integrated Network Sensor Next Generation
  • Recent advances in integrated circuit technology enable construction of far more capable sensors, radios, and processors at low cost, thereby enabling mass production of sophisticated systems that link the physical world to networks.
  • Compact geometry and low cost allows WINS NG to be embedded and distributed at a small fraction of the cost of conventional wireline sensor and actuator systems.
  • WINS NG is a fundamental advance for network access to densely and deeply distributed sensing, control, and processing systems.
  • Applications for WINS NG extend from a local scale to a global scale. For example, on a local, wide-area scale, battlefield situational awareness provides personnel health monitoring and enhances security and efficiency.
  • WINS NG creates a manufacturing information service for cost and quality control.
  • WINS NG condition-based maintenance devices equip power plants, appliances, vehicles, and energy systems with enhanced reliability, reductions in energy usage, and improvements in quality of service.
  • transportation systems, and borders can be monitored for efficiency, safety, and security.
  • new traffic, security, emergency, and disaster recovery services are enabled by WINS NG.
  • WINS NG In the biomedical area, WINS NG connects patients in the clinic, ambulatory outpatient services, and medical professionals to sensing, monitoring, and control. On a global scale, WINS NG permits environmental monitoring of land, water, and air resources. It is, thus, fundamentally a technology that efficiently links networks to the physical world.
  • WINS NG is provided in one embodiment in a scalable, low cost, sensor network architecture that conveys sensor information to the user at a low bit rate with low power transceivers.
  • Continuous sensor signal processing is provided to enable constant monitoring of events in an environment.
  • local processing of distributed measurement data is used for a low cost, scalable technology.
  • Distributed signal processing and decision making enable events to be identified at the remote sensor.
  • information in the form of decisions is conveyed in short message packets.
  • Future applications of distributed embedded processors and sensors will require massive numbers of devices.
  • Conventional methods for sensor networking present impractical demands on cable installation and network bandwidth.
  • the WINS of described embodiments reduce the burdens on communication system components, networks, and human resources.
  • the WINS NG network devices support local sensing and control with response requirements ranging from real-time through latency tolerant processes.
  • a function of WINS NG networks is supporting constantly vigilant signal processing and event recognition associated with this sensing and control.
  • WINS NG systems support applications at multiple tiers. For example, the applications that include geographically wide distribution of WINS NG technology support long range wireless communication links. In contrast, applications in factory automation or health care are supported using local area networks. In these applications, as will be described herein, WINS NG networks exploit the advantages of short range, robust, multihop wireless networks.
  • WINS NG networks for a variety of applications is enabled by the low cost, scalable, self-installing architecture of embodiments described herein.
  • the scalability of a WINS NG network is provided by powerful local computation ability, adaptation to the environment, remote reconfigurability, and communication security. Multiple users interact with the WINS NG network, monitor and control the network, and query for events, locations, data, and configuration via the Internet.
  • the design of such systems formerly required expertise ranging from sensing and radio communication to high level network abstractions. Relatively few design teams possess all the necessary capabilities. This disadvantage of prior systems is addressed by an embodiment of WINS NG that enables designers to work mainly at the levels above the data link layer, with standard software tools.
  • FIGS 8 and 9 show embodiments of a WINS NG network.
  • the network includes nodes 802, gateway nodes 804, server 806, and web assistants or node control web or browser pages (not shown), but is not so limited.
  • the sensor nodes 802 include any combination of actuators, sensors, signal processors, energy or power supplies, data storage devices, wireless communication devices, wireline communication devices, and self-location capabilities.
  • the sensor nodes 802 are distributed in an environment 899 that is to be monitored or controlled.
  • the network can include heterogeneous elements.
  • Local users 830 may interact, if authenticated, with the network via ⁇ the nodes 802 themselves through a local display and user interfaces (UIs). Non-local users can interact with the network through gateways 804.
  • UIs local display and user interfaces
  • connections to servers 806, database services 820, and other network resources are available, and user 832 can access the network with standard tools.
  • the user or client computer can access the WINS network continuously or intermittently, and may interface via processors of vastly different capabilities according to a particular application (e.g., personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or bidirectional pagers).
  • a complete sensor network may, in one embodiment, be viewed as a distributed but active database that answers questions about the physical world, and acts upon the questions through the actuators. Multihop communication permits low power operation of dense WINS sensor networks.
  • the network architecture of Figures 8 and 9 is self-organizing with respect to an ability to distribute some combination of information and energy.
  • the network interacts with remote users 832 and databases 820 when coupled to the Internet 810 or other networks using a gateway 804.
  • the WINS node data is transferred over the possibly asymmetric wireless link to an end user 832 or to a conventional wireless network service, for example an Internet Protocol network 810, through a WINS gateway 804 or a network bridge.
  • Internetworking provides remote accessibility via web-based tools to data (e.g., signals and images), code (e.g., signal processing, decision support, and database elements), management (e.g., node and network operation), and security functions.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram of WINS NG operation of an embodiment. Operation begins by coupling the WINS NG network elements or nodes to an environment to be monitored 1002. Data is collected from the monitored environment using some combination of the WINS NG network elements or nodes 1004. The functions of the network elements or nodes are remotely controlled/manipulated or programmed by a user through a client computer 1006.
  • the client computer can include a number of processing devices from portable processing devices like personal digital assistants, pagers, or personal computers to servers.
  • Information is distributed among the WINS NG network elements or nodes 1008, information that includes, but is not limited to, raw data collected, processed data, and node resource information. Data processing is distributed among various combinations of the WINS NG network elements or nodes in response to the node resource information 1010.
  • the descriptions herein include physical embodiments of the nodes, signal processing architecture, network architecture, methods for ensuring reliability of access, linkage to databases, security methods, and position location functions.
  • a requirement in a security application is constant vigilance by at least a subset of the sensors, so that all threats are detected.
  • the most sophisticated detection algorithm does not need to run all the time.
  • a low false alarm or misidentification probability is desired along with a high detection probability.
  • Simple algorithms of this type are well-suited to dedicated processors. Energy thresholding and limited frequency analysis on low- sampling rate magnetic, acoustic, infrared, or seismic sensors are in need of such solutions, having both low circuit complexity and clock rates. Having passed this test, other sensors that consume more energy can be turned on, and higher levels of processing and fusion invoked.
  • Figure 11 is a block diagram of processing within a WINS NG sensor node 1100 of an embodiment.
  • the sensor node 1100 includes various signal processing, sensing, information storage, energy supply, and communications capabilities. Support is provided for multiple layers within individual sensor nodes 1100 and also for multiple layers among different sensor nodes 1100. Physical interfaces and software interfaces allow plug and play interoperability by all classes of node devices. Consequently, processing may be distributed across node devices in the same category, or across node devices in multiple categories.
  • APIs are provided that allow for higher level programming of this distributed processing.
  • APIs are provided for control of sensor nodes, actuators, communications, special purpose processors, information storage, and energy management.
  • the APIs permit downloading of new instructions to control these operations.
  • resource usage parameters flow up through the network from the physical layer to the application layer.
  • parameters that set priorities for networking behavior including signal processing, data transfer, data storage, and data aggregation flow down from the application to the physical layer. These parameters apply to many levels ofthe network, and the API framework of an embodiment makes it convenient to operate at any subset of these levels.
  • the preprocessor 1104 of an embodiment is a hardware device that facilitates the separation between lower level programming and higher level programming, while also permitting lower power operation.
  • the preprocessor 1104 is coupled between at least one high level processor 1102 and devices or functions ofthe network that are linked to the physical world and require real- time operation.
  • the devices or functions ofthe network that are linked to the physical world include, but are not limited to, the sensor suite 1106, the communication devices 1108, the signal processors and storage devices 1110, the power or energy supplies 1112, and the actuation suite 1114.
  • Each node may include a number of combinations and variations ofthe sensor suite 1106, the communications devices 1108, the signal processors and storage devices 1110, the power supplies 1112, and the actuation suite 1114.
  • a threshold may be crossed whereby a sensor node seeks information from nearby sensors, for purposes of data fusion or coherent beamforming. Because communication of raw data is very costly in terms of energy, this should occur later in the processing chain. Additionally, the processing requirements at this level are very large. Ultimately, a classification decision might be made using a large neural network or some other equally computationally hungry procedure for situations in which less sophisticated processing is unable to provide an answer with the required degree of certainty. In the worst case, raw data may be hopped back to a remote site where a human being performs analysis including pattern recognition.
  • networks of nodes of an embodiment exploit the probabilities of the events of interest in order to process only to the extent required. Most ofthe time, there are no targets, and thus no need to apply the most expensive algorithm in terms of processing expense. Also, there will be too many circumstances in which the least expensive algorithm will fail.
  • a processing hierarchy leads to huge cost reductions while assuring the required level of reliability.
  • the processing hierarchy is intertwined with networking and data storage issues. How long and where data is queued depends on location in the processing hierarchy. Whether a node communicates and to what set of neighboring nodes depends on the signal processing task that is required. The communications costs in turn affect the processing strategy (e.g., willingness to communicate, and whether processing is centralized or distributed). All of this rests on physical constraints, and therefore the physical layer intrudes up through to applications.
  • FIGs 12 and 13 show browser screen images or pages associated with remote Internet operation of a WINS node of an embodiment.
  • the WINS node includes two sensors with seismic and imaging capability, but is not so limited.
  • the seismic sensor is constantly vigilant, as it requires little power.
  • Simple energy detection is used to trigger the operation ofthe camera.
  • the image and the seismic record surrounding the event are then communicated to a remote observer. In this way, the remote node need only perform simple processing at low power, and the radio does not need to support continuous transmission of images.
  • the networking allows human or machine observers to be remote from the scene, and allows archival records to be stored.
  • the image data allows verification of events, and is usually required in security applications that demand a human response.
  • Both the seismic record 1202 and 1312 and an image creating the record 1204 and 1314 are shown.
  • Figure 12 shows a vehicle 1204, and
  • Figure 13 shows a running individual 1314.
  • the WINS node and WINS gateway node control web pages permit direct and remote control of event recognition algorithms via the WINS network and the Internet.
  • the seismic energy threshold for triggering an image is controllable remotely.
  • WINS NG node control and management web pages respectively, provide networking, communication, sensor signal processing, and sensor interface reconfigurability. A user wishing to modify the WINS NG protocols, node code and data objects, and to deploy new code libraries does so using the WINS NG Web Assistant, but is not so limited.
  • the browser screen image displays a user interface with an image acquired from the camera.
  • Figure 14 is a browser screen image 1400 of an embodiment including an acquired image 1402.
  • the user interface 1404 of an embodiment allows the user to zoom and pan through the image, as well as to apply image processing functions.
  • the number of images transmitted is further reduced with an increased sensor suite of short-range detectors (e.g., infrared or magnetic), or by adding more sophisticated processing within the nodes.
  • short-range detectors e.g., infrared or magnetic
  • Different applications demand quite different solutions, many of which are accommodated within the hierarchical processing framework. For example, images might be queued at nodes pending decisions from groups of sensors.
  • FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a WINS NG node of an embodiment that enables rapid development of high performance signal processing applications, while preserving low-power operation.
  • the WINS processor 1502 is a low power, low cost, conventional microprocessor system with a well- supported standard operating system platform.
  • the WINS preprocessor 1504 is a low power system that includes sensing, signal processing, communication, and platform management hardware and firmware. In addition to the sensing and communication functions, the platform management capability enables the WINS preprocessor 1504 to manage the WINS processor 1502 power and operation maintaining low duty cycle, and therefore, low energy.
  • FIG. 16 shows the WINS NG architecture partitioning of an embodiment.
  • the WINS NG architecture partitioning provides critical advantages for operating power and performance, rapid software system development, and upgrade capabilities.
  • the WINS preprocessor platform management control enables the WINS node to selectively operate in a state of continuous vigilance 1602.
  • the WINS preprocessor operates its micropower sensing, and signal processing, and actuator control front end continuously.
  • the WINS preprocessor also manages the WINS Platform 1604 and enables its cycling into and out of a power-down state. This enables the WINS processor to operate at low duty cycle 1604.
  • the preprocessor also provides supervisory functions for the processor and memory systems, providing additional levels of robustness, and also supervising radio and other communications systems operation.
  • the WINS processor is available when required, for the computationally intensive functions of signal identification, cooperative behaviors, database management, adaptation, reconfiguration, and security functions. By moving these functions to a general purpose processor, software development is eased. In another embodiment, some ofthe more frequently invoked of these functions can be performed by special purpose processors, to reduce power consumption at the cost of reduced flexibility.
  • the WINS NG architecture By encapsulating the sensing, communication, and platform functions, the WINS NG architecture also provides a critical advantage for development. In conventional single processor architectures, the WINS developer would be faced with the requirements of managing real-time sensing and actuation threads while operating in the background on essential high level functions.
  • the WINS NG architecture enables the developer to choose between multiple paths. For example, the developer may focus completely on high level information technology research and development while exploiting full access to the physical world via open interfaces. Alternatively, the developer may choose to build low level applications, (in addition to high level systems) by working through the WINS preprocessor open interfaces. By encapsulating real-time function details, development resources may be focused on delivering the most valuable software information technology products.
  • the WINS NG architecture permits multiple upgrade and modification paths.
  • the preprocessor includes standard interfaces including serial interfaces. This permits the preprocessor to be used with the processor (a Windows CE platform in one embodiment), or a wide range of other platforms, for example, open source embedded operating systems or Linux.
  • the WINS NG node can be upgraded or modified by substituting the processor component or upgrading only the preprocessor.
  • An embodiment ofthe WINS NG gateway includes a WINS NG Radio Frequency (RF) modem.
  • the WINS NG sensing functions are replaced by network gateway functions for the interface between the low power distributed sensor network and a 10 Mbps ethernet lObaseT networks, as described herein.
  • Other embodiments ofthe WINS NG gateway can include access and support of a plurality of wired networks, long range tactical radio networks (e.g. satellite communication), and/or access to telephony.
  • Figure 17 is a block diagram ofa WINS NG API 1700 of an embodiment.
  • the WINS NG API provides the capability for development of tactical sensing applications with the WINS NG Platform.
  • the API includes sensing 1702, signal processing 1704, communication 1706, platform control 1708, and networking, but is not so limited.
  • the WINS NG API receives resource usage parameters from lower levels or physical layers ofthe network. Furthermore, parameters that set priorities for signal processing, information routing, and resource usage through the network flow down from the API layer to the physical layers. Thus, the WINS NG API framework makes it convenient to operate an any subset of these levels.
  • FIG 18 is a block diagram of a distributed system application 1800 of an embodiment.
  • the tactical sensor application provides novel sensing 1802, signal processing 1804 and event detection 1806 methods that rely on cooperative sensing exploiting database technologies for non-local event correlation.
  • networking methods relying on methods including directed diffusion 1808 are supported, by reporting physical parameters such as link quality of service, energy costs, message priority, and other variables related to computational or communications resources through the WINS NG network using the APIs 1810.
  • the complete distributed system application of WINS NG combines this technology with remote server and remote user access systems.
  • BOOL Gate_Acquisition Initiates data acquisition by a Sensor Interface Processor. Sampled data is transferred to a data buffer in the preprocessor. Member variables include: Initial measurement gain (which may be later updated by automatic gain control (AGC) if AGC is enabled by SET_AGC), channel select, sample rate, and number of samples. This function is used for continuous or burst sampling of data with signal processing and other functions operating in the preprocessor. This is appropriate for low power operation in a continuously vigilant state.
  • BOOL Gate_Streaming_Acquisition Initiates data acquisition by the sensor interface processor. Sampled data is transferred to a data buffer in the processor.
  • Member variables include: Initial measurement gain (which may be later updated by AGC if AGC is enabled by AGC_SET), channel select, sample rate, and number of samples. This function is used for continuous or burst sampling of data with signal processing and other functions operating in the processor. This is appropriate for development, testing, and operation in a high performance alarm state.
  • BOOL Set_AGC Enables and configures Automatic Gain Control (AGC) state.
  • Member functions and variables include: Enable AGC, high level amplitude threshold, low level amplitude threshold, sampling window number of samples, and filter settings. This function configures the AGC system.
  • a high level threshold value determines the time-averaged amplitude level of input signals above which a lower input gain value is applied.
  • a low level threshold value determines the time-averaged amplitude level of input signals below which a higher input gain value is applied. Time averaging of signals is set by the sampling window number of samples.
  • the high and low level thresholds may be equal, or separated to create a hysteresis in operation to avoid frequent and unnecessary changes in gain value.
  • a filter may be applied to input signals to focus AGC control on a particular frequency band.
  • BOOL Set_Alarm_Trigger Enables and configures the Alarm Trigger function state. Member variables include: high level amplitude threshold, low level amplitude threshold, sampling window number of samples, and filter settings. This function configures the Alarm Trigger system.
  • a high level threshold value determines the time-averaged amplitude of input signals above which a Trigger signal is generated.
  • a low level threshold value determines the time-averaged amplitude level of input signals below which a Trigger Signal is generated. Time averaging of signals is set by the sampling window number of samples.
  • the high and low level thresholds may be equal, or separated to create a hysteresis in operation to avoid frequent and unnecessary changes in gain value.
  • a filter may be applied to input signals to focus Alarm Trigger attention on a particular frequency band.
  • the Alarm Trigger signal may be used to initiate operation of WINS NG platform operations due to the receipt of an input signal amplitude excursion. Use of this function permits algorithms to control power status and reaction to potential threat-induced signals. e.
  • BOOL Transfer_Data_Buffer Initiates transfer of preprocessor data buffer to processor. Member variables include channel select. This function is used for transfer of buffered sensor data stored in the preprocessor. An example application of this function is the acquisition of data streams occurring prior to an alarm condition.
  • BOOL GPS_CONFIGURE Enables and opens a configuration channel to a GPS device. Configuration commands include the standard NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association ) GPS function calls.
  • BOOL GPS_COMMAND Opens a command and data acquisition channel to a GPS device. Command and data acquisition commands include the standard NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) GPS function calls including: UTC Time, Latitude, Longitude, Course over ground, and ground speed. h.
  • BOOL SPECTRUM_ANALYZER Computes power spectral density (PSD) of sensor data time series record of length 2 N . Variable window choices, and PSD averaging are selectable.
  • BOOL FIR GEN Generates or computes FIR filter coefficients for specified filter characteristics.
  • BOOL FIR Filter Operates on sensor data time series input and computes filtered output according to FIR filter coefficients. Coefficients may be stored, communicated to the WINS NG node, or computed locally.
  • BOOL INITIALIZE_WINS_RF_MODEM Initializes RF modem operation and sets RF modem configuration.
  • Packet retransmission attempt count is the number of automatic retransmission attempts in the event of packet errors.
  • the node controls the frequency hopping pattern for all participating nodes within reception range.
  • the node acquires and follows the hopping pattern of a Master. Radio frequency Section Enable allows control ofreceive and transmit RF sections. This is useful for power management of communication functions.
  • BOOL NODE_IN_RANGE Indicates whether the node received signal strength is at a level sufficient to support link to the gateway.
  • BOOL RECEIVE_DATA Returns array with current RF modem receive data buffer values. Includes source address of received packet.
  • BOOL TRANSMIT_DATA Transmits data buffer to RF modem and initiates communication to remote node or gateway.
  • BOOL Node_Search Initiates search of network for participating nodes that are in range of and have been acquired by the local gateway.
  • BOOL Node_Cluster_Report Returns list of node addresses and gateway address for local node cluster q.
  • BOOL WTNS_Modem_Power_Control Sets WINS RF Modem power state (selections include full power, standby, and power off). This is applied for power management ofthe RF Modem in TDMA networks.
  • BOOL Modem GPS Power Control Sets power state ofthe GPS device. This is applied for implementation of low duty cycle clock or position updates.
  • BOOL Processor Power Control Sets power state ofthe processor. This function enables the processor to enter a suspend state (e.g., at 0.1 percent of full power) for a specified period. This function also provides a supervisory reboot capability for the processor.
  • APIs also enable preprocessor control ofthe processor, in the form of a software watchdog.
  • the processor operating system can fail during operation due to application software errors that are not apparent at compile time.
  • a software watchdog is run on the preprocessor that periodically sends "ping" commands to the processor. If the processor does not respond with an acknowledgement within a specific time period as configured by the application programmer, the preprocessor has the ability to reboot the processor.
  • WINS Basic is a macro language that supports programming ofthe preprocessor at a very high level. It provides a mechanism that enables execution of numerous code modules that pre-exist on the preprocessor, thereby hiding the challenges of real-time programming at the preprocessor level. WINS Basic can handle platform management, communication, networking and sensing, or it can be extended to fit custom requirements, as more experienced software developers can enhance or create new software modules for the preprocessor.
  • the language operates by mapping processor level functions to preprocessor level software modules. Executing a WINS Basic function on the processor generates a command that is sent to the preprocessor, which in turn calls the appropriate software module. Support for passing parameters to such a module is also provided.
  • a sequence of processor level functions forms a WINS Basic program that executes on the preprocessor and features unique behaviors desired by the processor level programmer.
  • WINS Basic programs run in two basic fashions. First, as WINS Basic functions are called on the processor, the preprocessor simultaneously executes corresponding software modules. Second, a series of functions on the processor are mapped into preprocessor commands and sent to the preprocessor collectively. The preprocessor stores this information as a WINS Basic program in dynamic memory. A programmer wishing to launch a program simply calls a run function on the processor that instructs the preprocessor which WINS Basic program it should execute.
  • the layered architecture together with the APIs ofthe WINS NG embodiment thus enable developers to work at the level ofthe processor, the preprocessor, or both, making use of a variety of development tools.
  • developers may make use ofthe widely available and low-cost Microsoft Windows CETM tools. These include: MS Visual StudioTM including MS Visual C++TM, MS Windows CE Toolkit for Visual C++TM, and the Microsoft Developers Network (MSDN) subscription which provides valuable references.
  • MS Visual StudioTM including MS Visual C++TM
  • MS Windows CE Toolkit for Visual C++TM
  • MSDN Microsoft Developers Network
  • the WINS NG Development Platform can be a conventional PC with the Windows NT Workstation or Windows NT operating system. Development may be done using the Windows CE platform emulator provided in the Toolkit above. Also, development may be accomplished via serial (and ethernet) link to the processor.
  • the Toolkit includes program upload and remote diagnostics tools including a remote debugger, process viewer, and other tools.
  • remote diagnostics tools including a remote debugger, process viewer, and other tools.
  • developers are shielded from real-time operator system concerns, and may program in high-level languages for greater efficiency. Additionally, operating systems may be supported, with the development ofthe appropriate APIs.
  • the preprocessor development is optional.
  • the WINS NG API supports access to all sensing, communication, and platform control functions. Other embodiments provide API upgrades that add additional functionality.
  • One available tool for development at the preprocessor in this embodiment is Dynamic CTM from Z- World.
  • the sensors and sensor interfaces meet the specifications of devices used in the leading Department of Defense reference tactical sensor data acquisition systems. These sensor systems meet or exceed the performance ofthe tactical sensors that are currently in the field.
  • the threat detection sensors include seismic, acoustic, and infrared motion devices.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • up to four sensors may be attached, with software controlling which sensor is sampled.
  • Each WINS NG node carries a GPS receiver. Sensors may be located near the WINS NG node but need not be located directly on or in the WINS NG package. This provides critical deployment flexibility for optimally locating the tactical sensor because frequently the typical node package is not optimally located for seismic, acoustic, or infrared motion sensing. Examples of sensors that can be used include, but are not limited to: geophones for seismic detection; infrared sensors based on pyroelectrics; and compact electet microphones for acoustics.
  • the GPS unit supports standard National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) protocols.
  • NMEA National Marine Electronics Association
  • the WINS NG preprocessor is a multiprocessor system that includes a Sensor Interface Processor (SIP) and a Control Processor.
  • Figure 19 is a block diagram of a Sensor Interface Processor (SIP) 1900 of an embodiment. Sensors are coupled to the WINS NG Sensor Interface Processor (SIP) 1900, which operates as a component ofthe preprocessor.
  • the SIP 1900 includes sensor preamplifiers, anti-aliasing filters, analog multiplexers, data converters, digital buffers, and dedicated processors.
  • the SIP 1900 ensures the ability to acquire synchronous sampled sensor data.
  • the analog input has variable gain
  • the anti-aliasing filter is programmable for different sampling rates
  • an RS232 Serial port is provided for GPS (or other uses if GPS is not present)
  • the control processor can be implemented using a low power processor such as the Z180, supplemented by flash memory and static random access memory (SRAM), three serial ports at the SIP 1900, and a real time clock. This allows the preprocessor to exercise functions such as wake up for the processor, so that the latter can be in sleep mode with high duty cycle, conserving energy.
  • the processor can be any of a number of commercial platforms, such as the Uniden PC- 100 or equivalent. It is supplemented by random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM).
  • the processor system also includes a serial RS-232 port, Compact Flash Slot, user interfaces in the form of Display, Touch Screen, Microphone, Audio Output, and employs as its Operating System Windows CE 2.0. If the node is to serve as a gateway, it can include a gateway Ethernet interface, using for example a compact flash card Ethernet network interface adapter, supporting NE2000
  • the WINS NG system can operate with a constantly vigilant preprocessor sampling all sensor data.
  • the preprocessor is responsible for data acquisition as well as alert functions. Specifically, in the event that a threshold excursion is observed, the preprocessor detects and alerts the processor.
  • the processor which may have been operating in a sleep state, is now available for signal processing and event identification. Further, high level functions including cooperative detection, database transactions and other services may now be negotiated by the processor. At all times, the algorithms may be implemented to minimize power dissipation.
  • the layering ofthe processing functions in the WINS NG system enables continuous vigilance at low power operation, while preserving the ability for more sophisticated signal processing on node, and the use of standard software tools for the development of these higher level functions.
  • the software interfaces allow access to the levels more deeply connected to the physical world so that the complete processing stack can be tuned.
  • the layering of processing functions extends well beyond the nodes, through cooperative processing among nodes in the sensor network, and through connections to external networks.
  • Collaborative processing can extend the effective range of sensors and enable new functions while being pursued at many levels of processing. For example, consider target location. With a dense array, one method of tracking target position in an embodiment is for all nodes which detect a disturbance to make a report. The centroid of all nodes reporting the target is one possible estimate ofthe position ofthe target; the responses ofthe nodes might alternatively be weighted according to reported signal strength or certainty of detection. Relatively few bits of information are exchanged per node with this target location method.
  • More precise position estimates can be achieved in an embodiment by beamforming, a method that exchanges time-stamped raw data among the nodes. While the processing is relatively more costly, it yields processed data with a higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) for subsequent classification decisions, and enables estimates of angles of arrival for targets that are outside the convex hull ofthe participating nodes. Two such clusters of nodes can then provide for triangulation of distant targets. Further, beamforming enables suppression of interfering sources, by placing nulls in the synthetic beam pattern in their directions. Thus, although beamforming costs more in signal processing and communications energy than the simplified location estimator, it provides additional capabilities.
  • SNR signal to noise ratio
  • Another use of beamforming is in self-location of nodes when the positions of only a very small number of nodes are known.
  • the tracking and self-location problems are closely connected, and it is possible to opportunistically locate nodes that would otherwise provide auxiliary information to a target location operation.
  • targets are used to provide the sounding impulses for node location.
  • sparse clusters of beamforming-capable nodes rather than a dense deployment of less-intelligent nodes, or it may be advantageous to enable both sets of functions.
  • a sparse network of intelligent nodes can be overlaid on a dense network of simpler nodes, enabling control ofthe simpler nodes for collection of coherent data for beamforming.
  • the simple nodes might be data collection boxes with flow control capability and limited decision making power; other capabilities are built on top of them by adding appropriate processing and control node networks.
  • Those skilled in the art will realize that there are many architectural possibilities, but allowing for heterogeneity from the outset is a component in many ofthe architectures.
  • a WINS NG node can include a radio frequency (RF) modem.
  • the RF modem includes a frequency hopped spread spectrum system operating in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band. Specifications for this RF modem include Binary Frequency Shift Keying (BFSK) modulation, frequency hopping among 50 channels, and programmable addressing of 6 byte IEEE 802.3 addresses.
  • BFSK Binary Frequency Shift Keying
  • the modem operates in a master/slave hierarchy where the master modem provides synchronization for many slave modems.
  • the gateway modem may function as a master. However, this is not required nor always optimal.
  • the WINS NG node is contained in a sealed, waterproof system.
  • the package contains the WINS preprocessor, processor, and sensors. Sensors may also be deployed externally to the package, particularly in the case of acoustic and infrared motion sensors. While equipped with rechargeable batteries, a battery eliminator is included with WINS NG for operation during development.
  • FIG. 20 is a WINS NG node 2000 of an alternate embodiment.
  • This node 2000 provides high performance analog sensor sampling, sensor signal processing, wireless network support, a 32-bit application processor and a POSIX-compliant real-time operating system.
  • the node platform includes a real-time interface processor (RTIP) 2002 that supports high-speed multi-port sampling integrated with both a high speed DSP 2004 and direct digital I/O 2006.
  • the RTIP 2002 together with the associated DSPs 2004 and control processors 2008 constitutes the preprocessor ofthe node.
  • the architecture also includes a 32-bit application processor 2010 with RAM, ROM, and flash memory. Digital I/O and GPS geolocation capability is provided with a coupled active antenna.
  • the wireless network interface includes an adaptive dual mode RF modem system 2012 that provides a solution for scalable, multihop networking with spread spectrum signaling.
  • the analog sensor interfaces 2005 include two sets of interfaces, but are not so limited. One set provides sampling rates from 1-25 kHz at 12-bit resolution, and the second set provides sampling from 1.88 to 101.1 Hz at 16-bit resolution, both with selectable gains. This provides support for a wide range of sensors.
  • the sensor front-end high-speed input sample rate is accommodated in a power-efficient approach with a dedicated programmable digital signal processor (DSP) 2004, for example the industry standard Texas Instruments 5402. This DSP is supplied with an integrated development environment.
  • the DSP code may be communicated to the platform via a developer port or directly via the wireless network.
  • RTOS microkernel real time operating system
  • QNX follows the detailed standards set for modern UNIX systems.
  • QNX provides C++ development with STL support as well as Java language support from IBM/OTI.
  • applications can be readily constructed, and capability is provided for conveniently porting software among nodes.
  • an embedded Linux may be used as the operating system.
  • Integrated within each node is a dual mode RF modem 2012.
  • the modems 2012 can be integrated into a scalable multi-cluster, multi-hop network.
  • the new dual mode approach solves the long-standing problem that restricts most commercial spread spectrum modem solutions to local cluster/star networks.
  • the modem is a significant advance in that it may simultaneously join two clusters.
  • the system operates in the 2.4-2.4835 GHz ISM band transmitting at lOOmW or lOmW on dual channels, using frequency hopped spread spectrum with transmission rates up to 56 kbps on each channel.
  • the network is self-assembling to adapt to any deployment configuration in which node-to-node connectivity is established.
  • the system also provides wireline interfaces with both 10 Mb Ethernet and RS-232 serial port access. Node development can be conducted through the node Ethernet port
  • the WINS NG node of an alternate embodiment is constructed using a modular software framework. This framework enables the development of software that is modular, reusable, and portable across platforms.
  • a module is a piece of software that presents one or more clearly defined interfaces and maintains internal state.
  • the framework defines a standard form for these interfaces so that modules can be reused by changing the inter-module connections. Interfaces between modules are defined by the types of data they send and receive and, loosely, by the commands they accept. Any two modules that support compatible interfaces can be connected together, enabling activation and data to flow from one module to the other.
  • the "upper” interface ofthe module sends and receives packets of data to be framed and sent.
  • the “lower” interface sends and receives buffers of serial data containing framed data packets.
  • the module itself performs the framing and deframing function: buffers arriving from below are parsed to extract data packets which can be sent upwards, while packets arriving from above are composed into frames and sent down. If a system using this framing module needed to change its framing algorithm, an alternative framing scheme could be implemented in a module with identical interfaces and swapped in with no other coding requirements. Modules can even be swapped in dynamically at runtime.
  • the modular framework is implemented as a single-threaded system with a scheduler, but is not so limited. Before the system is started, it is configured. Module interfaces are coupled together and are registered as event handlers. When the system is running, it waits in the scheduler until an event occurs. Events can be timer expirations or I/O events such as a file descriptor becoming readable or writable. When one of these events occurs, the appropriate handler function is called, and this activation propagates through the network of coupled modules, doing work along the way, and returning error codes on the way back.
  • the recvO callback gets called when there is new data that is to be pushed to the module. This method is sometimes called a "push" model. Data arriving at the edges ofthe system is immediately pushed through the system until it is sent out ofthe system, consumed, or buffered. The recv() callback may return EOK to indicate success, EAGAIN to indicate that the data could not be processed at that time and is to be sent again at a later time, or another error code to indicate an error condition.
  • the unblock() callback gets called when the module coupled to this interface previously refused to accept a pushed message and is now requesting that the message be sent again. In response to this request, the unblockO callback attempts to push more data through the interface by invoking the other module's recv() callback.
  • the ctrlO callback gets called when there is an out-of-band control message that is to be sent to the module.
  • the implementation of this callback checks the function code, and if it is a function that the module supports, causes some effect.
  • Arguments may be included in a pointer to an argument buffer, as defined by the implementation.
  • a module can cause data to flow through associated interfaces to the module on the other side using the Send() call. If buffer space opens up, enabling the module to accept new data, it can signal this with UnblockSendO, which causes any buffered data to be sent. CtrlO can be used to send a control message through the interface to the other module.
  • the implementation of modules in an embodiment is formulated as a state machine.
  • the implementation of callbacks and other code within a module does not wait or block. If a delay is required as part of a sequence of steps, a timer is set and the call returns with no delay. The sequence then continues, invoked from a timer callback. In some cases, the outcome of a process cannot be known immediately. In these cases, the message invoking the process will include a callback that is called asynchronously to return a result when the process is complete.
  • the state-machine implementation while efficient, may be cumbersome.
  • an independent thread can be encapsulated within the framework. This thread can then make blocking I/O calls through an adaptation layer that connects to the standard module interface scheme.
  • the nodes of an embodiment are implemented within QNX Neutrino, but are not so limited.
  • the scheduler implementation masks the developer from the system-specific details of timers and de-multiplexing asynchronous I/O events.
  • the inter-module interface also matches quite well to the inter-process file interface defined for device drivers in POSIX systems. This makes it relatively easy to change the location of process boundaries in the system, without changing the design of individual modules.
  • the system-specific layer can also be ported to other operating systems, and can be remoted over a network interface.
  • the WINS NG network supports large numbers of sensors in a local area with short range and low average bit rate communication.
  • the bit rate of an embodiment is less than 1-100 kbps, but is not so limited.
  • the WINS NG network design services dense sensor distributions with an emphasis on recovering environment information.
  • the WINS NG architecture therefore, exploits the small separation between WINS nodes to provide multihop communication.
  • WINS NG network uses multihop communication to yield large power and scalability advantages.
  • RF communication path loss has been a primary limitation for wireless networking, with received power, P RE C, decaying as transmission range, R, as P REC OC ⁇ * (where ⁇ varies from 3-5 in typical indoor and outdoor environments).
  • multihop architectures permit N communication link hops between N+l nodes.
  • the introduction of N equal range hops between any node pair reduces power by a factor of N" "1 in comparison to a single hop system.
  • Multihop communication therefore, provides an immediate advance in capability for the WINS narrow bandwidth devices.
  • WINS NG multihop communication networks permit large power reduction and the implementation of dense node distribution.
  • the WINS NG architecture design addresses the constraints on robust operation, dense and deep distribution, interoperability with conventional networks, operating power, scalability, and cost.
  • Robust operation and dense, deep distribution benefit from a multihop architecture where the naturally occurring short range links between nodes are exploited to provide multiple pathways for node-to-node, node-to-gateway, and gateway-to-network communication.
  • the WINS NG gateways provide support for the WINS NG network and access between conventional network physical layers and their protocols and the WINS NG physical layer and its low power protocols.
  • Multihop communication also enables low power operation by reducing range and exploiting the power-law dependence of received RF signal strength on transmission range.
  • the reduction in link range afforded by multihop communication is of particular benefit to the WINS NG applications that are tolerant of communication latency. Communication latency in the WINS NG network is, in turn, tolerable due to the inherent latency associated with the response of conventional networks.
  • the reduction in link range is exploited in WINS system design to provide advantages that may be selected from the set of: reduced operating power, improved bit rate, improved bit error rate, improved communication privacy through reduction of transmit power, simplified protocols, and reduced cost.
  • Figure 21 is a WINS NG network architecture of an alternate embodiment.
  • nodes 2102 are coupled to gateways 2104 using repeaters 2106.
  • mobile nodes 2112 are coupled to gateways 2104 using interrogators 2116.
  • the gateways 2104 are coupled to a network 2120 through a server 2130 hosting server applications 2132.
  • the network serves to couple the nodes to an information service provider.
  • An important capability provided by the WINS technology is enabling a vast, scalable number of sensors to maintain real-time, local contact with the physical world. This is accomplished with access both from the distributed sensor nodes to remote users (such as data centers), and from remote users to nodes.
  • a critical characteristic for distributed sensor networks is the ratio of bits processed at the sensor interface to bits communicated to the user. In such situations, there is no neat separation of signal processing and networking.
  • a figure of merit is the information content per bit.
  • Distributed sensor systems may be scalable only if information technology is applied at the node, gateway, and server to permit large numbers of sensors (e.g., 10 -10 ) to communicate with relatively few data centers (e.g., 10 1 ). At the sensor node, the information per bit value may become very low.
  • the bits produced by the sensor interface may carry only background noise. It is optimal in this case if the sensor data is processed, a decision is reached at the node, and a short summary message indicating nominal status is forwarded through the network. While the sensor interface may be sampling at 10 kbps, the actual rate of communication via the network may, on average, only be 0.01-1 bps. This same consideration applies to condition based maintenance where monitoring of equipment may be continuous, whereas the rate of failures may be very low.
  • Bandwidth in the distributed sensor network of an embodiment is preserved for scalability and energy reasons. In addition, bandwidth is conserved for the migration of code and data objects for management and control. It is critical to note the data sources and bottlenecks where bandwidth considerations apply.
  • Sensors and data acquisition are the data sources. Typical sampling rates are 1 Hz to 25 kHz in various embodiments of WINS NG. This data is only rarely propagated directly through the network. Rather, information processing is applied to reduce data sets and recognize events that occur in the environment, for example, using the layered sequence of operations described previously. After identification, only an agreed upon identifying code (e.g., a codebook pointer) need be propagated through the network.
  • Sensor node-to-gateway communication is a constraining bottleneck for multiple reasons. These include power constraints associated with node processing and RF communication power, and power and processing constraints at the gateway where information from many nodes may aggregate.
  • the gateway to the remote monitoring site can also be a bottleneck if connected, for example, by low-speed telephony through land-line or satellite. In some embodiments the gateway can link one or more high speed networks, but manage the links using low speed long range connections.
  • Figure 22 is a multicluster network architecture supported in an embodiment.
  • nodes 2202 are dispersed in an environment with local communication 2204 between nodes 2202 and gateways 2206.
  • Long range communication 2208 occurs between the gateway 2206 and a remote data user site 2210 (e.g., using a high power RF modem).
  • a remote data user site 2210 e.g., using a high power RF modem.
  • robust, frequency hopped spread spectrum transceivers are employed.
  • the WINS NG RF modems operate in a master/slave hierarchy where the master modem provides synchronization for many slave modems.
  • the gateway modem may function as a master. However, this is not required nor always optimal.
  • Multihop routing occurs between the clusters 2220 and 2222 that are defined by the current status ofthe RF modems.
  • two star networks 2220 and 2222 are joined. Nodes from these two networks may be intermingled in space (they are shown as separate networks, for clarity). Note that any modem in the group may perform as a master or a slave RF modem.
  • the configuration shown can vary frequently according to operational requirements ofthe network and the arrival or departure of nodes.
  • Scalability challenges in this architecture include constraining the data transfer rate between nodes for reasons that include the bandwidth constraint and power dissipation at the gateway, and bandwidth limitations for the long- range link. Furthermore, there is a scalability issue associated with the arrival of data from many other clusters at the remote monitoring site 2210.
  • Figure 23 is a bandwidth budget 2300 for a distributed sensor network of an embodiment.
  • Node-to-gateway communication links 2302 have a higher bit rate than the long range gateway-to-remote monitoring site communication link 2304 due to the large power cost associated with the long-range link.
  • Local communication between nodes exploiting the higher bit rate at low power associated with the short range link 2302, permits local cooperation among nodes for the purposes of reaching a local event detection and identification solution.
  • the bandwidth budget 2300 shows the sequence from sensor signal 2306 through node 2308 (corresponding to a maximum rate of 12 kbps, followed by the low power air interface link to the gateway 2310). Finally, after aggregation of data at a gateway 2310, long range, high power RF links 2304 will carry summary messaging. Note that the aggregate sensor data rate is 12 kbps. This provides a significant margin below the node-to-gateway communication link 2302 (with an air interface data rate of 100 kbps). This margin is not normally required since it is the goal of processing at the node 2308 to always reduce this data rate. However, while not advisable for optimal network operation, multiple sensors may simultaneously be queried for testing, and higher rates may be needed on occasion for local cooperative functions, such as beamforming.
  • the estimated node message bit rate corresponds to the bit rate generated by a cluster of nodes exchanging low duty cycle status and configuration messaging.
  • the preprocessor to modem interface data rates are lower than the air interface data rate.
  • Applications support the filling ofthe RF modem transmit buffer over a period, followed by communication ofthe buffer over a short interval available in an appropriate TDMA frame. Multiple user inputs are allowed at the gateway modem.
  • Figure 24 shows a WINS NG data frame format 2400 of an embodiment. This data frame format 2400 supports both unicast and broadcast.
  • the multicluster network is but one of many possible embodiments for the WINS NG network.
  • the layering of software interfaces enables a variety of link-layer protocols that can be used in combination with standard network protocols such as Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) or Version 6 (IPv6).
  • IPv4 Internet Protocol Version 4
  • IPv6 Version 6
  • the basic link layer protocol can have a flat hierarchy, and use a wide variety of error correction methods, yet still enable standard protocols to be used from the network layer up.
  • specialized protocols could be employed which take advantage ofthe APIs that enable access to lower levels in the protocol stack.
  • Figure 25 is an example of self-configuration in a WINS NG network 2500 of an embodiment.
  • Network 2500 includes gateway node 2506, database 2512, and remote user interface 2510 connected to Internet 2508.
  • Gateway node 2506 is a gateway to the Internet 2508 for nodes 1-7.
  • the network 2500 is self-organizing with respect to the ability to distribute some combination of information and energy, and in determining where and how the processing and storage are to be accomplished.
  • the network 2500 programs and directs network resources to tasks according to priorities provided to the network in response to the addition and deletion of network resources.
  • the self- organization ofthe embodiment accounts for heterogeneity and inclusion of interaction with outside resources via networks like the Internet.
  • the network 2500 is treated as a distributed and active database with the entire application built in a distributed fashion.
  • the network 2500 is constructed using a distributed resource management protocol that operates on individual elements in order to assemble a complete application.
  • the network 2500 elements may be reused among different applications, or used in multiple classes of applications. For example, connections 2502A-2502J indicate participation in a first class of applications, while the connections 2504A-2504H indicate participation in a second class of applications. Both the first and second class applications are subject to reconfiguration when nodes are added to or deleted from the network.
  • Figure 26 is another example of self-configuration in a WINS NG network 2600 of an embodiment.
  • the network 2600 includes gateway node 2606, database 2612, and remote user interface 2610 coupled to the Internet 2608.
  • Gateway node 2606 is a gateway to the Internet 2608 for nodes 1-7. Construction of complicated combinations of network components is enabled from a small set of basic network components. In enabling this construction, hardware and software are provided for connection of heterogeneous devices that enable all devices in a family to form a network. In this embodiment, the software is designed to support software reconfiguration and upgrades. The protocols for the different classes of nodes may be embedded, but are not so limited.
  • the network 2600 includes a mixed wireless and wired network, wherein the network 2600 is set up using a self-organizing protocol.
  • the protocol recognizes the difference in power costs for various wired and wireless links and preferentially uses the links with lower power costs when establishing communication routing through the network.
  • the protocol may also take into account remaining energy reserves for nodes on the path, or the priority ofthe message being carried to determine routing.
  • the gateway nodes enable connections to networks not conforming to the core network hardware and software standards for connection of heterogeneous devices.
  • Couplings 2602A-2602I represent wired connections and couplings
  • 2604A-2604F represent wireless connections.
  • the same multiple access protocol and baseband modulation techniques are used for both the wired and wireless connections, where the protocol used is one appropriate for the wireless connections. This reduces cost for the communications devices, and while not optimal for the wired connection, its cost (in communication device and energy for usage) is typically far below that ofthe wireless link. If the wired connection between sensor nodes 5 and 7 is broken or disrupted, the network switches to using wireless communications between nodes 5 and 7, with minimal network disruption. Alternatively, the communication between nodes 5 and 7 may be rerouted through node 6 in order to lower the power consumption associated with the communication.
  • WINS NG multihop scalability relies upon information aggregation to avoid unbounded bandwidth growth.
  • information propagates in one embodiment of a WINS NG network distribution as message packets from information sources distributed within a network to information sinks. As message packets approach an information sink, bandwidth rapidly scales upward.
  • the WINS NG system incorporates node level protocols distributed and managed by the WINS NG database that aggregate messages into compact forms, thus drastically reducing bandwidth requirements.
  • the assignment of message aggregation protocols occurs along with network assembly. Message aggregation protocols are adaptive to node density, the environment, energy availability, and message urgency. Any such protocol relies upon the APIs being able to make such information available. Aggregation and distribution issues are intimately connected to the data processing and database management procedures in the WINS NG network.
  • the WINS NG network protocols provide for management of these issues, as well as dealing with the likelihood of heterogeneous resources in the network.
  • Information aggregation and data rate management in the WINS NG system benefit from data predistribution.
  • Code and data objects that are anticipated to be needed at a future time are propagated as low priority messages through the network. These objects may then be registered and called upon at a future time.
  • a WINS network of an embodiment can be regarded as a web of overlapping processes, linked through common resource usage priority sets, which are set by user queries.
  • the APIs enable this network by providing network resource information and message priority information to assets throughout the network.
  • both centralized and distributed resource management algorithms are enabled.
  • directed diffusion algorithms are enabled for synchronization, routing, and energy management.
  • Routing tables back to the gateway can be established with packets being transmitted outwards, and moving on when a link pair comes up.
  • the routing tables record resource usage in transit. Information packets then flow downhill towards the gateways along minimum resource use paths, according to the boot-up packets received by a given node.
  • Another network application demands frequent traffic to a group of nodes remote from the gateway. It would be inefficient from an energy point of view for all nodes in the intervening space to have to go through timing acquisition for each packet transmitted, and so they proceed to maintain a tighter level of synchronism. This also reduces the transit time for the messages flowing in each direction.
  • the APIs enable different components ofthe network to operate at close to their minimum cost, with distributed algorithms, and running multiple applications over heterogeneous devices by publishing resource costs and message values.
  • the overall network requirements are not determined by the most demanding application, and performance scales according to the resources available without central planning; hierarchies come and go as the application demands.
  • the multi-user, multi-channel, frequency-hopped WINS NG RF modem is used in network self-assembly and reconfiguration.
  • the WINS NG network supports both self-assembly of randomly distributed nodes, with or without available GPS location information, and joining of new nodes into the network.
  • Figures 27 and 28 illustrate protocols for radios that are establishing links in an embodiment. Communication between network nodes, and nodes within subnets, occurs according to assigned channels defined by pseudorandom frequency hopping patterns.
  • the natural requirements for low communication duty cycle mean that nodes are synchronized and operate in a time division multiple access (TDMA) frame structure in which the frequency hopped channels are active.
  • TDMA time division multiple access
  • Self-assembly protocols are implemented for applications including large area security applications and local area WINS tag asset management technologies. These protocols are scalable and have been demonstrated from local area WINS NG networks to global satellite telephony link WINS NG nodes.
  • Network self-assembly for a node distribution begins with the WINS NG nodes operating in search and acquisition modes in a search for participating peer neighbors and gateway nodes.
  • Network self-assembly operates in a hierarchical messaging method where energy-efficient short packets are transmitted at low duty cycle and receiver operation is also managed at low duty cycle.
  • individual WINS NG nodes Upon detection of a neighbor, individual WINS NG nodes enter into a challenge and response session that escalates in data volume until it is established that a node has joined the network or is not permitted to join.
  • the network population is surveyed at random intervals for new nodes and missing nodes. Changes in node population or degree of link quality and RF signal strength are noted and communicated to the network gateways and server.
  • Changes in node population or degree of link quality and RF signal strength are noted and communicated to the network gateways and server.
  • the WINS NG system includes protocols that, when invoked by the receipt of priority message codes (e.g. from IPv6 flow control labels or similar mechanisms) will initiate inhibition processes. Messages are broadcast to nodes adjacent to a path that will inhibit messaging from nodes other than those engaged in conveying the high priority event. In addition, these protocols act to reduce response time for messages following a preferred path.
  • a distributed method for self-assembling the network accommodates the fact that many commercially available radios, such as most spread spectrum radios, cannot communicate to every other radio in range. Rather, one radio is designated as a master, or base, and all the rest are designated as slaves, or remotes.
  • Figure 29 shows a single radio cluster 2900.
  • a radio whether a base or a remote, can be generically referred to as a "node.”
  • a base 2902 can communicate with all remotes 2904 within its range, but each remote 2904 can only communicate with one base 2902. Thus each base 2902 defines a strict cluster 2900, which is composed of all the remotes 2904 in its range.
  • Figures 30 and 31 show multi-cluster networks 3000 and 3100.
  • radios 3004 belong to more than one cluster, it is possible for them to relay information between the two clusters 3000 and 3002. This can be accomplished for example by the gateway periodically switching which master it commumcates with, queuing messages to be passed between clusters, until the appropriate connection is made. In other situations, the radios may allow contact to be made with multiple masters, in which case messages may be passed with greater ease between clusters. With many clusters 3100 it is possible for any ofthe radios in any cluster to communicate with any other radio in any cluster, as long as each cluster has some overlap with another.
  • a multicluster-multihop network assembly algorithm should enable communication among every node in a distribution of nodes. In other words, the algorithm should ensure total connectivity, given a network distribution that will allow total connectivity.
  • One such algorithm of an embodiment is described below.
  • the algorithm runs on each node independently. Consequently, the algorithm does not have global knowledge of network topology, only local knowledge ofits immediate neighborhood. This makes it well suited to a wide variety of applications in which the topology may be time-varying, and the number of nodes may be unknown. Initially, all nodes consider themselves remotes on cluster zero.
  • the assembly algorithm floods one packet (called an assembly packet) throughout the network. As the packet is flooded, each node modifies it slightly to indicate what the next node should do. The assembly packet tells a node whether it is a base or a remote, and to what cluster it belongs. If a node has seen an assembly packet before, it will ignore all further assembly packets.
  • the algorithm starts by selecting (manually or automatically) a start node. For example, this could be the first node to wake up.
  • This start node becomes a base on cluster 1, and floods an assembly packet to all ofits neighbors, telling them to be remotes on cluster 1. These remotes in turn tell all their neighbors to be bases on cluster 2. Only nodes that have not seen an assembly packet before will respond to this request, so nodes that already have decided what to be will not change their status.
  • the packet continues on, oscillating back and forth between "become base/become remote", and increasing the cluster number each time. Since the packet is flooded to all neighbors at every step, it will reach every node in the network. Because ofthe oscillating nature ofthe "become base/become remote" instructions, no two bases will be adjacent.
  • the algorithm can also be stated as follows:
  • the assembly packets spread out in all directions, and the network assembles itself.
  • the assembly packets essentially flood through the network as fast as possible. Because any traffic generated from a node could not possibly overtake the assembly packets, and because each node is ready to communicate after the receipt of an assembly packet, each node can assume normal operation after the receipt of an assembly packet. Once a node has received an assembly packet, it is ready to begin normal operations. Communication with other nodes in the network is enabled with routing algorithms. The algorithm is self-terminating, by virtue of all nodes keeping track of whether they have been "touched".
  • Figures 32-34 show a network self- assembly example of an embodiment.
  • the starting node will become a base 3202, and the other will become a remote 3204, as shown in Figure 32.
  • a new node is added, assuming that it is within RF range of at least one ofthe existing nodes, there are two possibilities: (1) if the new node 3302 is within range of an existing base 3202, it will become a remote 3302 on that base's network 3300, as depicted in Figure 33; (2) if the new node 3402 is not within range of any existing bases 3202, but only remote(s) 3204, it will become a base 3402, as shown in Figure 34. Nodes can continually be added, and they will always fall into one of these two cases. Thus this algorithm scales up the number of nodes indefinitely.
  • the basic algorithm establishes a multi-cluster network with all gateways between clusters, but self-assembly time is proportional with the size ofthe network. Further, it includes only single hop clusters. Many generalizations are possible, however. If many nodes can begin the network nucleation, all that is required to harmonize the clusters is a mechanism that recognizes precedence (e.g., time of nucleation, size of subnetwork), so that conflicts in boundary clusters are resolved. Multiple-hop clusters can be enabled by means of establishing new clusters from nodes that are N hops distant from the master.
  • the masters can be optimized either based on number of neighbors, or other criteria such as minimum energy per neighbor communication.
  • the basic algorithm is at the heart of a number of variations that lead to a scalable multi-cluster network that establishes itself in time, and that is nearly independent ofthe number of nodes, with clusters arranged according to any of a wide range of optimality criteria.
  • network synchronism is established at the same time as the network connections, since the assembly packet(s) convey timing information outwards from connected nodes. This is in contrast to prior art multi-cluster algorithms which typically assume synchronism is known, as well as the number of nodes in the network.
  • self-assembly ofthe network is coincident with establishment of synchronism, but a flat, or peer-to-peer network, rather than a clustered network results.
  • Network self-organization of an embodiment includes gateways and servers, an architecture that supports plug and play web-based applications.
  • Figure 35 is a block diagram of a WINS NG gateway 3500 of an embodiment.
  • the WINS NG gateway 3500 operates as a network bridge using telephony interfaces, wireless services, and network standards including for example Ethernet, DeviceNet, and ControlNet.
  • the WINS NG gateway 3500 includes, but is not limited to, a network interface 3502, module interface 3504 and RF modem 3506. It may alternatively support only wired connections.
  • the WINS NG gateway functions include, but are not limited to: protocol translation and network management separating the low bit rate, power constrained WINS NG network from high speed internet services; management of queries and commands originating from Internet users (this function, including buffering of commands and data, provides a remote web client with high speed access to the network without placing large burdens on nodes or ruining their operating duty cycle); interface to multiple long-range communication physical layers including Ethernet, long range packet radio, wireline telephony, wireless cellular telephony, and satellite telephony.
  • the WINS gateway nodes communicate using protocols including
  • Hypertext Markup Language HTMLVExtensible Markup Language (XML).
  • An embodiment uses the Inmarsat satellite telephony modem capability to access a WINS NG network at points on the earth.
  • the WINS NG gateway also has the ability to link the WINS NG network, optimized for low cost, short range, low power communication links, with long range wireless communication links.
  • the WINS NG server is used in the architecture of large area WINS deployments, but is not so limited.
  • the WINS NG server supports enterprise- class database applications that enable management of large WINS NG node populations and migration of code and signal processing objects and data to an entire node population.
  • the WINS NG server systems also support applications that exploit dense WINS NG node distribution. For example, in a condition based maintenance application, there is significant value in collecting all events and event histories in a database to enable development of machine failure prognostics or diagnostics.
  • the WINS NG server also provides Web services to users that wish to acquire data from remote nodes. For example, a global WINS application can connect remote WINS NG networks to the WINS NG server via satellite telephony services.
  • the WINS NG server provides data and network management ofthe many autonomous WINS NG nodes, globally distributed. A Web client may then query the WINS NG server for images, data, image and data history, and data relationships acquired at any point on the earth.
  • the WINS NG Web applications enable remote users to query the WINS NG network for node operation and configuration and node sensor data including images.
  • the user may select and reconfigure individual nodes for sensing, signal processing, communication, and networking parameters.
  • Sensor network islands have vastly increased value when connected to large networks such as the Internet.
  • a sensor/actuator network designed for monitoring and/or control of heavy machinery.
  • Through linkage to the Internet and an appropriate database operators can monitor the present status ofthe machinery, call up records of past operations, and tune parameters so that machinery operates more efficiently.
  • the operators may be located anywhere in the world. In the absence of such connectivity, costly site visits would need to be made to deal with any problems that might arise.
  • Figure 36 is a WINS NG network architecture 3600 of an embodiment having reliable access to remote networks. Redundant pathways 3602-3604- 3610 and 3602-3606-3610 provide robust access in complex operating environments. Multiple WINS NG gateways 3604 and 3606 support the WINS NG network 3600 and provide redundant access to conventional network services 3610 through wireless or wired high bit rate links. Remote users and user services 3620 are coupled to the WINS NG nodes 3602 using at least one WINS NG gateway 3604 and 3606 and conventional network services 3610.
  • a WINS NG network of an embodiment is used for applications including remote monitoring of high- value industrial equipment. In this application, it is essential that prompt alerts be issued if any flaw is detected.
  • One protocol to automatically choose among alternative communication paths uses a periodic heartbeat signal sent down each ofthe paths. If acknowledgement packets are not received within a specified interval, an alternative path is chosen based on a cost junction that includes some combination of path latency, capacity, and cost. This cost junction is determined by the application. Since the alternative paths may not be able to carry all the data, the protocol notifies the application ofthe reduced capacity so that only higher priority messages are carried. DATABASE ACCESS
  • sensor networks may not communicate all raw data to a central location. Rather, taking into account constraints on storage, communications bandwidth, processing capabilities, and energy, they meet the priorities ofthe end user for information.
  • sensor networks can be conceived of as a special type of database, wherein the data have life cycles that depend on their content and sequencing in time.
  • the process can be described as a flow through different states.
  • Figure 37 is an example scenario of Internet access and database management of an embodiment.
  • the sensor nodes include sensing, processing, communications, and storage capabilities.
  • the Internet coupling enables access to more powerful and numerous computational and storage resources than those present in the sensor node network.
  • sensor node 1 detects source 1.
  • sensor node 1 engages in several layers of signal processing and storage decision making before reporting results to the gateway node 3702.
  • Sensor node 6 detects source 2 and, in response, engages in several levels of signal processing and storage decision making before reporting results to the gateway node 3702.
  • the remote user 3706 is alerted to both the source 1 and source 2 events and, in response, may query the database for previous events that were the same as or similar to the source 1 and source 2 events. Furthermore, the remote user 3706 may make decisions on future actions in response to the source 1 and source 2 events.
  • the gateway node 3702 acts on instructions regarding event priority in reporting both events and, in response, requests further details from sensor node 1.
  • the details are passed to the database 3708 which, in one embodiment, is a long-term database.
  • the remote user 3706 may use the results to generate new detection algorithm parameters.
  • the new detection algorithm parameters are broadcast to all sensor nodes ofthe network.
  • the network integrates sensing, signal processing, database functions, and networking into one unified framework. This framework can be referenced to a state machine. While the sensor nodes have internal instantiations of this state machine, the collective network is described by a larger state machine.
  • Figures 38A and 38B are a diagram of a process flow of a state machine of an embodiment.
  • raw data is collected at a node and placed in a short term queue in the node.
  • energy detection is performed, and if the energy ofthe data signal collected is below a predetermined threshold the record ofthe collected data is discarded at 3806. If the energy is above the threshold, first level classification ofthe data is performed at 3808. If the data is below another predetermined threshold as tested at 3810, the data is stored for an interval to allow response from neighboring nodes at 3812. If the data is above the threshold, fusion data is solicited from neighboring nodes and classification is performed after the data is collected from them at 3814.
  • the resulting data is anomalous, as determined at 3816 using predetermined criteria, it may be stored longer term to allow for adaptation ofthe classification system, or discarded at 3828. If the resulting data is not anomalous, a message to the user is launched at 3818. The message informs the user that the data, or result, is available. In one embodiment, the message is transmitted in a compact representation, for example, as an entry in a codebook which associates the classification decision to the target parameters. It is determined at 3820 whether there is congestion in the network. If there is congestion, the message is aggregated with other messages to be resent later, queued to be sent later, or dropped, depending upon the priority assigned to the message. If there is no congestion in the network, the message is delivered to the end user at 3822.
  • the end user may request data queued at the aggregation phase 3824, or raw data, or may not reply to the message received.
  • the retrieval of requested data creates the potential for data contention in the network that must be independently resolved, for example, by queuing.
  • the retrieved information is archived and/or subjected to advanced processing at 3826.
  • Advanced processing may result in the issuance ofa command for new data processing priorities and/or procedures in the network.
  • Queries from the end user establish priorities for record processing, communication, and storage. Established priorities are managed in a distributed fashion by the network, for reasons of scalability. Conditions such as hold times for data, probabilities that data will pass through a threshold, etc., define the parameters of a Markov process (state machine).
  • the relevant conditions are user-selectable within the physical limits ofthe devices involved.
  • data In conventional databases, it is common for data to have varying lifetimes in different levels ofthe database; in other words, data is routinely aged out.
  • WINS network events occur with such frequency that conventional data aging is not workable.
  • the WINS network also differs from conventional databases in that in the WINS network less internal communication occurs, resulting in forced decentralized decision making.
  • the state machine representation of an embodiment provides ways to manage the networking and database functions, which advantageously use the commonality ofthe two tasks for distributed sensor networks. For example, naming and storage conventions for networks and databases respectively can be managed according to similar principles, reducing conversions of data.
  • a query to determine the physical state at some location is not concerned so much with addressing a particular node, as retrieving some data.
  • There is a similar formal structure for routing and data processing for example, decision trees.
  • the processing is performed in such a way as to permit distributed network and database management.
  • Queries establish database search, networking, processing, and storage parameters. For this to be managed in a distributed fashion, primary database management is at the nodes, in the form of the processing ofthe physical world inputs. Otherwise, the amount of data that could be generated would far exceed the possibilities for scalable networking and storage. Thus, the processing structure is largely dictated by the communications, networking, and storage constraints. Further, a similar formal structure for routing and data processing is exploited in the protocol design. Routing from nodes to gateways may be organized as a set of possibly overlapping trees. This admits hierarchical decision making, allowing further processing at multiple steps as data and decisions progress from nodes to the gateway. Database retrieval is also often based on trees, since different attributes can be used for branching decisions, reducing search time. Thus, naming based on the attributes ofthe data produced by a node is useful both in constructing routes and in data retrieval systems.
  • directed diffusion algorithms operate by using local activation and inhibition signals to spur actions by neighbors.
  • a gateway may activate its neighbors by launching a query requesting information about instances of particular vibration modes. This query gets passed outwards towards sensor nodes that can produce this kind of information, and may reduce their inhibition in sending reports that may drain their energy reserves. If the query is general in that any qualified node may answer, a return signal may inhibit further propagation ofthe message outward. In this way, only the nearer nodes respond and the network as a whole is not burdened with a large number of overlapping tasks to respond to.
  • the same structure also applies to the larger database of which the sensor nodes are only one part.
  • a query may get only as far as the portion ofthe database residing as part ofthe wired network, if the required information can be found.
  • a prior search ofthe database may limit the number of nodes that are specifically queried to gather information that is missing, but needed to answer the request. This saves energy for the remote network, and allows more queries to be simultaneously processed.
  • the activation request gets modified as processing, communication, and data retrieval operations are carried out. This would be very difficult in any system which did not treat these functions as part of a unified whole.
  • the WINS NG database technology accommodates the distributed nature of WINS NG measurements. Significant value is derived from determining the relationships using declarative query languages (DQLs). In addition, the capability to deploy code and data objects to distributed nodes while determining the concurrency of this data facilitates the scalability ofthe WINS NG network.
  • DQLs declarative query languages
  • WINS NG network data is unstructured, and has multiple forms that are managed including data time series, images, code and data objects, and protocols.
  • the classic constraints used in query optimization for conventional systems are not suitable for WINS NG where computation, memory, and communication resources are constrained.
  • Embodiments ofthe DQLs for sensor programming and information retrieval include small footprint standard query language (SQL) database systems.
  • SQL database systems are distributed on WINS NG nodes, operating as either common or network gateway elements, at WINS NG servers, and on other devices that are permitted to join the network.
  • Web-based access using the WINS NG architecture permits communication of sensor signals, images, events, and signal processing code. Web-based access further permits data queries by node type, location, event, signal, priority, traffic level, and other parameters.
  • the WINS NG system includes event recognition and identification algorithms operating on the WINS NG preprocessor and processor. These are supported by an API that permits either high level development with these signal processing components or low level development at the preprocessor level.
  • a DQL for sensor programming and information retrieval include a small footprint relational database management system (RDBMS) of event data, signal processing libraries, node status, network status, and error conditions.
  • the DQL includes data-driven alerting methods for synchronization and ensuring network concurrency of database elements.
  • the DQL further includes a signal search engine (SSE) for indexing and information labeling of unstructured sensor data sets.
  • User data services include a WINS Web Assistant for access to remote and global RDBMS. Query processing optimization systems are included for the WINS NG network.
  • the RDBMS monitors network status, maintenance, and security. To rapidly design such combined sensor networks/databases, it is important to make use of standards wherever possible.
  • the layered architecture ofthe embodiment of WINS NG nodes discussed earlier makes possible use of both standard hardware components and standard protocols where appropriate to the application. For example, consider an industrial monitoring application, where vibrations in large pumps are to be monitored for abnormalities. Records of behavior can be useful both in predicting failures (prognostics) or in determining causes after the fact (diagnostics) to reduce repair time and expense, and to assist in new design.
  • the WINS NG nodes establish a network, eventually to a gateway, which then connects to a standard database server such as an SQL server, either locally or through the Internet.
  • a standard database server such as an SQL server
  • the data generated by the sensor can be viewed either remotely or on-site using standard browser software. Further, the parameters for control of what data is transmitted and eventually archived to the database can also be set by user queries either locally or remotely.
  • the WINS NG database includes data-driven alerting methods that recognize conditions on user-defined data relationships. For example, triggers are set for coincidences in arrival of signals, for node power status, or for network communication status.
  • the WINS NG database supports event data, signal processing libraries, node status, network status, and error conditions.
  • the WINS NG database addresses query optimization in the context of energy constraints in network communication. Thus, queries are managed such that proper decisions are taken regarding the need to communicate with distant nodes. Query optimization also supports node-to-node queries where a node may improve the quality ofa decision by cooperative methods, comparing results with the stored data in neighboring nodes.
  • Reconfigurability is an important characteristic of a WINS NG network because nodes can remain in environments for the lifetime of a large system after installation. Network capabilities are reconfigurable as advances are made in the ability to detect events. Specifically, database services are provided for marshalling code and data objects to remote WINS NG nodes to enable reconfiguration. For example, the WINS NG database system provides services for distribution of large binary objects containing library elements to be linked at runtime, e.g., dynamic-link libraries (DLLs). In addition, protocols and signal processing methods are remotely and globally reconfigurable.
  • DLLs dynamic-link libraries
  • Operational protocols, signal processing protocols, and network protocols are migrated via verified atomic transaction methods to ensure that entire protocol sets are migrated completely and without error to globally distributed WINS NG nodes.
  • Particular protocols detect concurrency errors.
  • the WINS NG database includes data services for auditing concurrency of all data types.
  • a rollback protocol is provided for execution in the event that concurrency errors are detected. This ensures that node connectivity and operation is robust during system upgrade phases.
  • the WINS NG database is implemented in small foot print databases at the node level and in SQL systems at the WINS NG server level. Remote SQL queries received at the server level access both the low level network and the server databases. Replication of database elements occurs between WINS NG nodes, between WINS NG nodes and WINS gateway nodes, and between the WINS NG network and servers or remote users.
  • remote users may interact directly with the WINS NG gateway devices, or directly with the WINS NG server.
  • the remote users are provided with a WINS web assistant for interaction with the WINS NG database systems and with individual nodes and gateways for many applications.
  • the WINS web assistant continuously publishes WINS NG network results according to query scripts.
  • WINS NG nodes can be embedded within the casings ofthe pumps, which are typically in operation for many years. Other nodes can be on the exterior, and thus may be physically upgraded over time. It is desired to monitor the vibrations or other physical characteristics ofthe pumps to predict failure or verify continued proper operation. A database of observations over time from many pumps are used to develop better diagnostic and prognostic algorithms, which are downloadable to the remote nodes, whether embedded in the machinery or not.
  • a further example ofthe use of database methods of an embodiment is found in the effective incorporation of both active and passive tags into systems which detect, track, and identify objects like security, logistics, and inventory systems.
  • Passive tags in particular can be very low cost, and thus very numerous.
  • an area can be flooded with low cost tags so that there is a high probability that at least one tag will adhere to any object passing through the region.
  • tags a tag with a unique identifier is attached to a known object, achieving the binding between tag and object in the database.
  • this manual binding is not necessary, since the network may identify the object.
  • a tagged object by contrast is always distinct because ofthe unique identifier ofthe tag.
  • tracking is made easier.
  • having easier access to the history of observations ofthe object it is more easily identified.
  • behavior of groups of tagged objects are correlated to location histories, to gain further information about their interactions, simplify the problem of dealing with multiple targets in view, and provide a simpler means to name and thus archive data about objects.
  • active tags including, for example, some combination of communication, storage, and sensing devices
  • the tag itself can be part ofthe database, and provide extended detection range, by alerting nearby sensors via its radio to go to higher levels of alertness or to stand down and conserve power because the object has already been identified.
  • the WINS system of an embodiment uses communication methods that provide security in communication for the short message packets that are fundamental to the WINS network.
  • the communication methods also protect the network from an adversary that attempts to join the network by posing as a participating WINS node, and from an adversary that attempts to observe message traffic or the progress of challenge-response sequences and thereby gain information.
  • the network is also protected from an adversary that attempts to derive network operating modes or network threat detection capability by a simple traffic analysis based on measurement of RF communication energy.
  • the node and network information is protected from a security breach resulting from an attempt by an adversary to recover a node and recover information. It is important to provide these capabilities with the additional constraint that encrypted communication links must be robust against bit errors.
  • the challenges associated with achieving these goals are raised by the constraint that WINS network message packets are short. In addition, energy constraints limit the available number of packets. Balancing these challenges is the characteristic that typical security system latency is large. Specifically, long periods fall between successive events. This provides periods for background computational tasks associated with encryption.
  • the WINS NG platform partitioning enables the WINS preprocessor to manage WINS network and sensing functions while the WINS processor operates in the background.
  • the WINS NG network implements security based on public key methods.
  • Public key methods offer the advantages of being scalable because few encryption keys need to be managed. This is a particular advantage in the WINS network where the number of nodes is variable and may increase suddenly as new nodes join a network.
  • the public key method is reconfigurable and operates in a hierarchical fashion with a scalable key length.
  • Primary attacks on the public key method such as brute force, exhaustive decoding, and impersonation are addressed for the distributed sensor application.
  • message channels carrying short message packets may be attacked by brute force methods. In this case, an adversary first intercepts an encrypted packet.
  • WINS NG implements sequence management for confounder codes such that as a result of an error, confounder codes previously used may be reused to reacquire the code sequence.
  • the algorithm for update of confounder codes may also be distributed using conventional, secure, long packet, digitally signed messages. As noted above, energy cost for this step is not significant because this step occurs infrequently.
  • Network communication privacy is also protected. If RF communication occurs in direct and regular response to events, an adversary would be in a position to derive information regarding the ability ofthe network to respond to events. This would enable an adversary to determine the sensitivity of particular sensor nodes or reveal other traits.
  • the WINS NG system addresses this attack by implementing communication privacy protocols. Specifically, communication of events and status information is not keyed in time directly to events and is not periodic. Instead, a random sequence of packet transmissions, a fraction being decoy message packets, is transmitted. Desired information is impressed on this "carrier" of random packets. An adversary receiving RF energy would receive random "chaff and would not be able to rapidly correlate events with transmissions.
  • raw data for a packet is first encrypted, in a code known both to the sending node and the eventual end destination. Error control is also included.
  • the encryption and error control codes must be short, and cannot extend past the packet boundaries.
  • the confounder sequence operates on the sequence of these packet transmissions, zero-knowledge techniques such as addition of chaff packets are employed, and the sequence is protected by error control codes.
  • Each node in the multi- hop connection checks for errors, and demands retransmissions, using the next element ofthe confounder sequence if uncorrectable errors are detected. Upon receipt ofthe error free packet, it removes the chaff, undoes the confounding, and then applies the appropriate confounder and chaff sequences for the next hop in the link.
  • encryption operates at the application layer, where other techniques operate at the link layer. In typical systems, all security operates at or near the application layer, but for WINS networks the traffic characteristics and eavesdropping techniques demand pushing some of these functions to lower layers.
  • Adversaries wishing to breech the security barrier then must operate with extreme computational capability in relation to allied nodes and must be in the midst ofthe network at the same density as WINS NG, an enormous expense for an opponent.
  • the WINS NG system also exploits the WINS Database systems for aperiodic sweeps of deeply embedded security information for the purpose of revealing any adversary or compromised node. Security sweeps can include study ofthe type of sensor data a node is expected to produce. If not consistent with its claims, the node can be excluded, just as would be the case for a failed node. Aperiodic re-authentication and remote security monitoring are also provided. Low power implementation of the security algorithms exploits partitioning of security functions between the WINS preprocessor and processor.
  • DISTRIBUTED POSITION LOCATION An important requirement in many sensor network applications is for nodes to be aware of their position. For example, in security applications if the nodes know their own location, then it is possible to estimate the locations of targets. One way to enable this is to equip every node with a position location device such as GPS, or to manually inform nodes of their positions. However, for cost reasons this may not always be possible or desirable. An alternative is for a subset ofthe nodes to know their own positions, and then to distribute location knowledge by using the communications and sensing means ofthe nodes. It is assumed is the discussion herein that the nodes all have radio communications, and acoustic transducers and sensors. Synchronism is established using the radios, while ranging is accomplished using the acoustic devices. Both simplified and more accurate position location methods are described.
  • node 1 launches a chirp or spread spectrum signal at a known time, and node 2 measures the propagation delay tl .
  • node 2 then launches a signal at a known time, and node 1 measures the delay t2.
  • w the wind component in the direction from node 1 to node 2.
  • Radio frequency signals will have negligible multipath delay spread (for timing purposes) over short distances.
  • an acoustic signal in a 10 meter room could reasonably experience delay spreads on the order ofthe room dimension divided by the velocity, or 0.03 s.
  • the multipath is resolved so as to use the first arrival as the range estimate. If there is no line of sight and all arrivals are due to multipath, then the ranging will only be approximate. If a time-hopped (impulse) or direct sequence spread spectrum method is used, then the means for resolving the multipath is a RAKE receiver. There do not need to be enough RAKE fingers to span the entire delay spread (although the more the better in terms of robustness of acoustic communications).
  • the time spacing of the taps is determined by the required position resolution and thus bandwidth of the ranging waveform. Thus, if 1 cm accuracy is desired, the tap spacing has to be 30 microseconds.
  • the multipath characteristics are highly frequency dependent.
  • the range of wavelengths for frequencies going from 1 kHz to 10 kHz are 0.33 m to 0.03 m. Since scattering/transmission/reflection depend in part on the ratio ofthe wavelength to object size, very different results can be expected at the different frequencies.
  • imprecise estimates ofthe locations ofthe nodes that lie within or near the convex hull ofthe nodes with known position can be quickly generated.
  • the shortest distance (multihop) paths are determined between each reference node. All nodes on this path are assigned a location that is the simple linear average ofthe two reference locations, as if the path were a straight line. A node which lies on the intersection of two such paths is assigned the average ofthe two indicated locations. All nodes that have been assigned locations now serve as references.
  • the shortest paths among these new reference nodes are computed, assigning locations to all intermediate nodes as before, and continuing these iterations until no further nodes get assigned locations. This will not assign initial position estimates to all nodes.
  • the remainder can be assigned locations based on pairwise averages of distances to the nearest four original reference nodes. Some consistency checks on location can be made using trigonometry and one further reference node (say, the apparently closest new one), to determine whether or not the node likely lies within the convex hull ofthe original four reference nodes.
  • the network can solve the complete set of equations of intersections of hyperbola as a least squares optimization problem. This is undesirable for many reasons, not least because it is not easily transformed into a distributed computation, and due to its potential to be highly ill-conditioned.
  • a decentralized calculation such as the one outlined above can converge fairly quickly with only local information exchanges being required after the initial position guesses have been made. It can stop whenever the change in position from a previous iteration is small enough.
  • Position accuracy on the order of one centimeter might be needed for purposes such as coherent acoustic or seismic beamforming. But for most practical purposes much reduced accuracies suffice. For example, if nodes are relatively closely spaced, it may be sufficient to track a target as likely being confined by the convex hull of several nodes. Then accuracies on the order of meters may be good enough. The quick method with one or two trigonometric iterations might suffice in such cases, and it would require much simpler acoustic transducers and receivers.
  • Figure 39 is an example scenario of network element self-location in a sensor network 3900 of an embodiment.
  • sensor nodes 2, 5, 8, and 9 contain an absolute position and timing reference mechanism, such as GPS.
  • any or all ofthe sensor nodes may include transducers for acoustic, infrared (IR), and radio frequency (RF) ranging. Therefore, the nodes have heterogeneous capabilities for ranging. The heterogeneous capabilities further include different margins of ranging error and means to mitigate ranging variability due to environmental factors such as wind.
  • the ranging system is re-used for sensing and communication functions. For example, wideband acoustic functionality is available for use in communicating, bistatic sensing, and ranging.
  • the advantages of heterogeneous capability ofthe nodes are numerous, and are exemplified by use ofthe ranging functionality in providing communications functions. As one example, repeated use ofthe communications function improves position determination accuracy over time. Also, when the ranging and the timing are conducted together, they can be integrated in a self-organization protocol in order to reduce energy consumption. Moreover, information from several ranging sources is capable of being fused to provide improved accuracy and resistance to environmental variability. Each ranging means is exploited as a communication means, thereby providing improved robustness in the presence of noise and interference.
  • WINS NG wide range of applications ofthe WINS NG technology having a variety of sensing, processing, and networking requirements, all of which can be met with embodiments ofthe WINS NG technology.
  • These applications include, but are not limited to, Pico WINS, hybrid WINS networks, dense security networks, asset tracking and management/manufacturing, wireless local area networks (LANs), wireless metropolitan area networks (MANs), composite system design and test, and vehicle internetworking.
  • the Pico WINS embodiment employs many features ofthe WINS NG technology, but integrates them into more compact, low-power devices. This enables deployment in much greater numbers than WINS NG.
  • gateway nodes e.g., WINS NG nodes
  • WINS NG nodes can include the ability to connect to external networks, user interfaces, mass storage, and powerful processing.
  • the behavior ofthe remote nodes can be controlled by the gateway (or the network beyond the gateway) so that the remote nodes have a high level of functionality without needing all the features ofthe gateway node.
  • Two-way communication further enables multihop networks, expanding the coverage range for each gateway. This lowers the total cost of providing coverage of a particular region.
  • Pico WINS employs flexible, thin film substrate packages, new communication and networking strategies, and new sensing methods.
  • Nodes of this embodiment of Pico WINS are conformal and may be embedded in many packages, marking a departure from previous technologies. Such nodes in various embodiments attach to boots and vehicle tires and treads, and detect proximity, touch, sound, and light.
  • the nodes incorporate new microelectronics for low power, and exploit new methods developed for Pico WINS that provide cooperative sensing and communication in a power constrained and low cost system.
  • communication physical layers include both RF and acoustic methods.
  • Pico WINS carry processing systems adapted to security.
  • Pico WINS is interoperable with large-scale WINS networks (e.g., WINS NG) and links via redundant gateways to standard network services.
  • Pico WINS is directed to the most ubiquitous tier ofthe WINS hierarchy, namely, low-cost, thin, conformal, micropower, autonomous devices.
  • FIG 40 is a Pico WINS node architecture 4000 of an embodiment.
  • the Pico WINS node 4000 includes a micropower sensor 4002, communication preprocessor 4004, and accompanying processor 4006. Sensor interfaces 4008 are included along with RF and acoustic power management 4010. The device may also optionally include interfaces for wired communications.
  • This Pico WINS architecture compares to WINS NG in the absence of high-level processors and their associated interfaces and peripherals. Thus, Pico WINS may be more compact.
  • Pico WINS nodes employs APIs that mirror the functions of WINS NG nodes up to the level ofthe interface between the preprocessor and processor. That is, while different physical components are employed, applications running on WINS NG nodes do not require special modifications to deal with a network that includes Pico WINS nodes. Using the APIs, the functions ofthe Pico WINS nodes are embedded, without the need for keeping commonality of electronic components. Further, Pico WINS networks immediately gain access to the many resources available to WINS NG networks, by means of connections to WINS NG nodes and gateways. Thus, hybrid combinations are enabled wherein, for example, signal processing tasks are split between the different classes of nodes, in a manner similar to the splitting of tasks between processors and preprocessors within WINS NG nodes.
  • FIG 41 is a hybrid network 4100 including Pico WINS nodes 4102 of an embodiment.
  • the Pico WINS nodes 4102 are scattered in the environment, for example, by manual emplacement, air drop, or delivery of a munitions canister filled with Pico WINS packages.
  • the Pico WINS nodes 4102 detect motion and presence.
  • a Pico WINS node 4104 is attached to passing personnel and/or vehicles, its motion and ultimate departure is noted by the network and communicated to the network.
  • the Pico WINS nodes 4102 communicate status, network management, and sensor event information, but are not so limited.
  • the WINS NG gateway 4106 Through the WINS NG gateway 4106, access to a wide area network 4108 such as the Internet, and the associated services as described with reference to WINS NG networks are available.
  • the Pico WINS devices support programmability by remote web clients, and the WINS gateway provides access to a database for querying Pico WINS status and events.
  • a frontier in global network extension is the connectivity ofthe Internet to deeply distributed processors, sensors, and controls.
  • the Pico WINS system provides low cost devices that are deeply and widely distributed in environments and integrated into equipment to provide continuous, global sensing and monitoring of an area, area and facility security, environmental status and sensing, and monitoring of globally distributed assets.
  • the low power wireless networking between Pico WINS nodes provides the deep and dense deployment required for these applications.
  • a state machine architecture allows sensing, signal processing, computation, communication, and power management, supported in a robust and convenient coding method.
  • the Pico WINS state machine of an embodiment enables low power operation, contains all ofthe Pico WINS functions and variable timing and response requirements in one set of linked modules, and has the ability to rapidly develop and reconfigure. It is implemented using a Pico WINS board that includes an analog sensor interface, but is not so limited.
  • a state machine controls sensing, signal processing, event recognition, communication, and power management, but is not so limited.
  • the state machine manages network assembly by controlling search and acquire messaging by nodes.
  • the state machine is implemented to allow for direct access to analog sensor inputs.
  • Typical implementations of node-level protocols have involved algorithms and code that are fixed in nature, making changes or optimization difficult.
  • the Pico WINS state machine manages the myriad node events in an organized fashion that is convenient and transparent to the developer.
  • the node functions of sensing and communication previously difficult to integrate in a compact processor, are managed easily. Separate adjustment of communication, sensing, and decision functions is enabled without resorting to large code changes.
  • This state machine architecture also lends a particular degree of convenience to development for micropower processors for which only limited code development support is available.
  • a critical challenge for tactical sensor nodes is the inherent reduction in sensor sensitivity that accompanies scale reduction.
  • the scale ofthe node is reduced, there is degradation in sensor performance.
  • an embodiment ofthe Pico WINS system exploits the package as a sensor. By employing the entire package, some ofthe limitations of compact geometry are eliminated.
  • sensing operations may be performed without power dissipation on the part ofthe sensor.
  • the package design implements seismic vibration detection with the required sensing proof masses being formed by battery cells.
  • the package itself has appropriate scale to permit low frequency vibration measurement.
  • the Pico WINS design also provides nodes carrying a mix of sensor capabilities. For example, while all nodes may carry seismic and optical sensing, some nodes may carry magnetic, or other sensor systems. A combination of sensors can be selected for a specific deployment environment.
  • One ofthe primary challenges for implementation of compact sensor nodes is providing the required continuous sensing and communication availability in a compact package without the use of conventional battery cells.
  • An innovation for Pico WINS is the development of a tag that requires only sensors that do not require a continuous bias current or voltage.
  • Figure 42 is a Pico WINS node 4200 of an embodiment.
  • the Pico WINS node 4200 is packaged using thin film, flexible systems 4202, but is not so limited.
  • the substrate 4202 in this case the piezoelectric polymer PVF 2 , operates as an acoustic sensor and source.
  • Thin film, flexible photovoltaic devices 4204 are also inco ⁇ orated into the substrate 4202 to provide an energy source and an optical presence detection sensor.
  • an antenna 4208 can be incorporated into the substrate or carried on the substrate.
  • CMOS complementary metal-oxide semiconductor
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • the Pico WINS node 4200 exploits micropower CMOS technology including a low light visible photodetector channel, CMOS passive IR sensor (polysilicon bolometer), and PVF 2 vibration and acoustic sensor.
  • the Pico WINS sensors reduce power dissipation with piezoelectric and optical sensors that require no voltage or current bias.
  • Flexible substrate piezoelectrics offer many advantages as sensors for this application, providing signal outputs greater than 10 Volts for the large deflections associated with the motion of a Pico WINS node that is attached to moving threat vehicles or personnel. This is accomplished without power dissipation.
  • Several piezoelectric films have been developed into highly responsive touch/pressure sensors that are embedded directly into the sensor substrate.
  • Kynar a brand name for polyvinylidenedifloride, (PVF 2 ) a polymer film
  • PVF 2 polyvinylidenedifloride
  • the piezo effects can be initiated by substrate compression or longitudinal stretching.
  • bending causes an off axis moment which causes a longitudinal stretching thus producing a proportionally large output voltage.
  • Various types of piezo sensors may be used in this application, ranging from insulated coaxial cable pressure sensor structures to thin 40 micrometer ( ⁇ m) sheets of raw Kynar. The piezo effect is much more pronounced in the sensor where the Kynar is laminated to a support material such as Kapton or Mylar.
  • an accelerometer having moderate sensitivity have been developed using the same Kynar/Kapton substrate as the sensor.
  • proof masses are suspended in a distributed arrangement around an interface system.
  • Compact battery cells then serve both as a power source and as the proof masses.
  • the substrate is used as the suspension.
  • a relatively low resonant frequency is designed allowing for increased sensor response.
  • Other applications ofthe substrate include photoelectric cells and pyroelectric phenomena for use as a back-up power source as well as a motion detector.
  • the photoelectric cells can absorb enough energy in one day for several days of operation, when combined with the efficient power management techniques in place, and the passive sensors.
  • the substrate can be designed as an integral structural element.
  • a maple- seed shape is adopted so that the nodes may be deployed by air, and fall in a stable-rotating pattern.
  • the substrate thus not only provides sensing capability, but aerodynamic benefits.
  • the substrate flexibility permits the creation of sensor "tape", that can be unrolled to different lengths (e.g., for a perimeter) as required.
  • a Pico WINS node of an alternate embodiment uses a high dielectric substrate to minimize antenna size in conjunction with limited local processing, networking, and sensing capability. These nodes are of minimal volume and cross sectional area so as to reduce cost, facilitate delivery, and create an unobtrusive sensing capability.
  • the alternate Pico WINS nodes have numerous integrated capabilities including, but not limited to: sensor processing; RF front end and IF band for low bit rate secure message communication; accelerometer, inductive, acoustic, and proximity sensors; RF ranging capability leveraging communication with other node types including resource rich WINS NG nodes; local battery or power supply; multiple power modes of operation for extended lifetimes; resonant annular ring patch antenna for efficient transmit and receive power use; and, adhesives to enable attachment to a passing object.
  • Figure 43 is a block diagram ofa Pico WINS node 4300 of an alternate embodiment. This Pico WINS node 4300 provides a compact sealed structure.
  • the electronics are nested within the center ofthe annular ring patch antenna away from the high field set up between the patch antenna 4302 and the ground plane 4304, thereby minimizing the size.
  • Enclosed in the center ofthe ring are at least one battery 4306, processor 4308, and integrated sensors 4310.
  • the node 4300 provides high input impedance to the antenna 4302 associated with the lowest order mode ofthe annular ring patch antenna, with the antenna numerically simulated with commercial full-wave software for optimal operation with the enclosed battery, electronics, and high dielectric substrate.
  • An adhesive mechanism or layer 4312 is coupled to the top and bottom ofthe antenna.
  • the adhesive mechanism 4312 includes plastic hooks, burrs, Velcro, glue, and electromagnets, but is not so limited.
  • the Pico WINS nodes interoperate to enhance the capability and flexibility ofthe entire network.
  • a variety of Pico WINS nodes operate in the same environment leveraging the capabilities of each system option.
  • An embodiment of Pico WINS network operation includes communication among separate thin film piezoelectric substrate Pico WINS nodes and lower cross-sectional area annular ring antenna Pico WINS nodes, networking each with a distinct sensing and distinct ranging accuracy.
  • Providing modular processing hardware, common commumcation protocols, and APIs enables the low cost creation of a variety of Pico WINS systems, each optimized for particular sensor capability, ranging accuracy, size or level of unobtrusiveness, and operating lifetime.
  • Pico WINS nodes can take advantage of dual use of hardware.
  • acoustic sensors can be integrated with an acoustic ranging front end.
  • antenna input can be monitored at transmission (reflection coefficient) to detect motion through changes in the antennas near field environment at a single frequency (providing an electromagnetic sensor which may be enhanced at cost to communication efficiency by using an antenna sensitive to detuning such as a sub resonant ring or dipole).
  • electromagnetics for compact tactical tags and wireless sensors have not previously been optimized for an application like Pico WINS.
  • the Pico WINS tactical tag system places unique requirements on the size of wireless communicators. Active wireless devices have previously been excessively large for tactical tag applications. Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are available in compact package form; however, these devices require high power interrogators immediately adjacent (typically within 1 m) to the tag.
  • RFID Radio frequency identification
  • Pico WINS devices are likely deployed in an undetermined orientation (with distribution on the surface or attached to threats), and operate in variable environments (operating on a surface, attached to a target, etc.). Further, Pico WINS devices operate in conditions of exposure to rigorous environmental conditions including shock, temperature excursion, and exposure to weather. Further, the Pico WINS electromagnetics affect the impedance matching requirements for Pico WINS receiver and transmitter systems.
  • a number of antenna configurations can be used in an embodiment, including but not limited to patch antennas, printed and modularly attached dipoles and loops, and subresonant matched elements.
  • a patch antenna with a rectangular shape simplifies the analysis ofthe fields under the patch in that sinusoids are easily fit to the equivalent cavity boundary conditions.
  • other shapes of patches such as circular, triangular, or a variety of other shapes also provide resonant antennas. Resonant structures are appropriate for
  • Pico WINS due to their relative insensitivity to the surrounding environment.
  • Other configurations such as traveling wave or leaky wave antennas, may also be appropriate, particularly when combining communication antennas with an electromagnetic proximity sensor.
  • Pico WINS is the annular ring geometry.
  • it is implemented with a metalized ring of inner radius a, and outer radius b, on a dielectric substrate above a ground plane.
  • This ring can be modeled as a cavity with a perfect electric conductor (PEC) top and bottom and a perfect magnetic conductor (PMC) surrounding the external and internal radii.
  • PEC perfect electric conductor
  • PMC perfect magnetic conductor
  • the resonance conditions for this structure are derived from the eigenfunctions resulting from the solution ofthe wave equation in cylindrical coordinates to match the PMC and PEC boundary conditions.
  • the primary reason for using the dielectric ring is the reduction in size achieved for the lowest order mode as compared to the square, circular, or triangular patch antenna, while providing high field confinement, i.e
  • the dielectric ring antenna offers compact geometry with efficient radiation, and offers the prospect of a package producing a compact, sealed structure, as discussed herein.
  • the properties ofthe dielectric ring antenna show suitability for 2.4 and 5.8 GHz radiation. Diameter of the dielectric ring scales from approximately 2 cm to less than 1 cm for these two frequencies, respectively, on Rogers 4005 substrates. Further size reductions by a factor of 1.5 may also be achieved using a ring antenna optimized on an aluminum substrate such as Rogers 5210.
  • the WINS NG and Pico WINS technologies of an embodiment support bi-static sensing and position location.
  • Compact tactical sensing systems rely on passive seismic, acoustic, and infrared detection methods. These sensor channels are supported by micropower sensing methods, and inco ⁇ orated into micropower Pico WINS packages in some embodiments.
  • active methods that are compatible with low power operation are also of interest.
  • Active sensors direct a beam of radiation (typically acoustic, infrared, or microwave) towards regions in which a threat is expected. Active sensors offer an advantage over passive devices in detecting threats that are quiet (acoustically or electromagnetically) or moving at a slow rate.
  • Active sensors typically operate in a monostatic mode where a beam of radiation is delivered by a source and reflected radiation from the environment is received by the source.
  • Monostatic sensors suffer from the problem that without a natural barrier, or backstop, any motion of an object in the distant field of view may yield an alarm condition. This limits the applicability of these devices and may lead to the requirements for expensive, large, installations.
  • an embodiment of a WINS NG, Pico WINS or hybrid WINS network provides a series of network bi-static sensors.
  • the WINS network is exploited to create natural radiation monitoring paths, forming a network of densely interlinked effective "trip wires" in the secured regions.
  • radiation may be launched from a network node using infrared, acoustic, or microwave beams.
  • This transmission includes a combined probe beam and signal code for beam intensity control and propagation measurement.
  • This energy carrier is modulated in time so as to provide an identifying code corresponding to the source.
  • any other WINS node may receive this transmission and detect changes in transmission loss.
  • active source signal propagation and scattering is used to identify threats as beam perturbations.
  • the Pico WINS of an embodiment includes a network bi-static sensing method based on low power acoustic transducers.
  • Receiving nodes may acquire the encoded signal and may derive frequency and time varying transmission path loss information.
  • the acoustic transducers have additional benefit in the geolocation ofthe nodes.
  • Bi-static sensing and network node relative geolocation are accomplished with a multi-level network of transmitting and receiving nodes.
  • Low power operation relies on low duty cycle operation ofthe acoustic source.
  • the low-powered sensing receiver nodes are scattered through a given protection area. These nodes may have energy-constrained processing capabilities and no other position determination methods or devices (for example, GPS).
  • Relative node geolocation mapping may be completed using the following method. Absolute geolocation requires that one or more nodes carry GPS and compass heading sensors.
  • Pico WINS nodes are scattered throughout a protection area. Some members of this population carry acoustic transmitters. After dispersal, an area mapping mode is initiated for relative geolocation of all the nodes with relation to a base-station, for example, a WINS NG node. After an RF sync pulse, a directional ultrasonic transmitter sweeps out a 360° arc. By knowing the time of reception, a rough mapping of all nodes with respect to a base station is achieved. Since the location ofthe base station is known, not accounting for multi-path signals, a rough estimate ofthe node position is easily ascertained relative to the base station. This method forms an analog to the very high frequency omni-range radio (VOR) avionics position systems. By operating at low duty cycle, net energy cost is low.
  • VOR very high frequency omni-range radio
  • network bi-static sensing may commence.
  • the transmitter either continually sweeps, or transmits in an omni-directional pattern, saturating the environment with a coded ultrasonic signal. Any threat moving through a detection area systematically trips a complex web of detection zones.
  • the network bi-static capability also provides a reference geolocation map for moving Pico WINS nodes that attach to and move with threats. In this case, the threat location is determined relative to the Pico WINS network.
  • Pico WINS nodes are scattered over an area operating in a constantly vigilant, but deep sleep state. Vehicle and personnel detection rely on sensor systems with no bias energy. For example, these may be the piezoelectric active substrates.
  • the Pico WINS node remains dormant and is inaccessible to the network until an event occurs.
  • This operational mode provides the longest possible operating life. With this mode, operating life approaches the many-year "shelf-life" ofthe battery sources.
  • the Pico WINS nodes operate with low clock rate, fully static CMOS processor technology. These processors, operating WINS protocols, use operating current of 20-30 microamps at the clock rates used for Pico WINS operation.
  • the Pico WINS processor operates continuously in a vigilant state, examining both sensor signals and network operation. In this alternative operating mode, additional energy that is not required for sensor- triggered operation is supplied to the Pico WINS node communication system. While this operational mode results in increased energy dissipation, it provides connectivity to nodes that may continuously participate in network operation. The Pico WINS nodes remain accessible and may be reprogrammed in this state. Continuous accessibility ofthe Pico WINS network allows a range of important surveillance capabilities.
  • both the event-triggered and continuously vigilant modes can be combined for additional behavior requirements.
  • the node In the event that a threat is detected, the node enters a state of higher power dissipation and joins a network, transmitting information back to a central master gateway node.
  • the Pico WINS nodes While the Pico WINS nodes have limited transmit distances to extend device longevity, they can communicate their status and threat detection information throughout the network using multihop communication methods.
  • Pico WINS nodes saturate an area of protection with various types of sensor systems. Vehicles, personnel and other objects move through the active area, activating and picking up the sensors. Information is then retrieved at the strategic choke points where nodes with longer transmit range and higher computation power gather, sort, and make decisions on vehicle type or class, personnel, and direction of travel, past position and speed, as well as other parameters.
  • the Pico WINS node function for most of their lifetime in a sleep-mode consuming minimum power because transmission occurs only when a node is disturbed.
  • the modular structure ofthe WINS NG and Pico WINS devices together with the ability to self-assembly from networks to Web connections, enables creation of mixed networks for a variety of purposes.
  • Such hybrid networks can be used for example in security, medical, industrial, military, residential, and vehicular applications on local, metropolitan, and global scales.
  • One type of mixed or hybrid network supported by embodiments ofthe WINS NG and Pico WINS technology includes mixed wired/wireless networks. There are a number of situations in which it is desirable for some fraction ofthe nodes to be connected to a wired network (e.g., to conserve energy), and other situations where dual communication modes are desirable (e.g., for robustness against wires being cut).
  • 100 MHz 220 300 470 As an example, using the worst type of wire, signaling at 1 Mb/s at 10 MHz using binary phase shift keying (BPSK), and assuming a very poor noise figure of 30 dB, a transmission range of more than 600 meters (m) can be achieved with less than 1 milliwatt (mW) transmitted power, and a range of more than 300 m can be achieved with less than one microwatt. Since the response ofthe channel is quite flat after the first hundred kHz, little or no equalization is required. Even at 100 MHz, for 100 m the attenuation is only 30 dB. This compares to radio attenuation of 94 dB, according to equation 1.
  • BPSK binary phase shift keying
  • frequency hopped spread spectrum may be used for the telephone wire, re-using all the baseband hardware from the radio and simply bypassing the upconversion and antenna matching circuitry when the wired connection is employed.
  • Echoes are a significant problem with telephone wire, due to impedance mismatches on each end. However, since bandwidth is not at a premium in sensor networks that perform significant signal processing at source, this may be simply handled by using time division duplex transmission. The same approach is used for radio transmission since radios are unable to transmit and receive at the same time on the same frequency.
  • the attenuation of telephone wire is small enough for the ranges of interest, and the same modulation strategy may be used as for radio transmission.
  • This enables sharing ofthe digital baseband hardware among the two situations.
  • the multiple access situation for radio and wired are very similar, and the same networking protocol is appropriate with a further reduction in development effort and node cost.
  • a sensor web is constructed from a heterogeneous interlocking set of components including the Pico WINS and WINS NG devices.
  • the sensor web includes Pico WINS and WINS NG devices of an embodiment internetworked with each other in a plug and play fashion, in user-selectable configurations which include a mix of wired and wireless couplings.
  • these networks can interface with substantially any commonly available power supply or communications/computer network.
  • Pico WINS devices are strung together to make communications and power available. This provides spatial antenna diversity, low energy cost communications for beamforming or data fusion, and power distribution from solar to processing nodes, but is not so limited.
  • the network can be wired into a WINS NG or similar higher-performance device that performs higher level signal processing, and provides a long range radio link, or an adapter card for communications via a wired network.
  • a pure Pico WINS network terminates in a device having a voice band modem and a connector to the telephone network, or simply a telephone line connection to scavenge power.
  • Interconnections of an embodiment are made using telephone wire.
  • Telephone wire is low cost, has simple terminations. There are telephone connections in residences and offices, and there are jacks in computers and palm-tops. Data rates can be quite large on short connections as would be expected for Pico WINS and WINS NG networks alike, with very simple baseband modulations. Moreover, it is designed to convey both information and DC power, and comes in many varieties.
  • Some embodiments use specialized cable connections in order to provide support for higher frequency antennas, smaller size, integrated ribbons of sensing, communications, and power. For example, in an embodiment using literal sensor webs that hang down over objects like trees the wires have a structural pu ⁇ ose. Connections providing enhanced adhesion, or a mechanical lock (e.g. a screw-in connection) may also be used. Moreover, an embodiment that provides robustness against cuts in the wired network uses a short antenna from the improved connector some distance along the wire (e.g. half wavelength). The radio may then be used to communicate with a neighboring node.
  • the sensor web of an embodiment includes, but is not limited to, Pico WINS devices, WINS NG nodes, power adapters, communication adapters, low-complexity communication line drivers, inter-device cables, cable splitters, external interface cables, and a plug and play network protocol.
  • the Pico WINS devices include sensors, energy storage devices, solar a ⁇ ays, radios, signal processing, at least two wired ports, and data storage devices.
  • the WINS NG nodes include sensor, energy storage devices, solar array, radios signal processing, at least two wired ports, and data storage devices as for Pico WINS, but with greater capabilities including higher speed communication ports.
  • the power adapters include vehicle, line, and other battery voltages, and include standard communication/power ports for the sensor web.
  • the communication adapters may be embedded in the WINS NG devices or may stand alone.
  • the inter-device cable includes structurally sound connectors and antenna port capabilities supporting interconnection options that include a telephone wire core option and sensor cable options.
  • Cable splitters of an embodiment avoid the requirement for a large number of ports on Pico WINS nodes.
  • the cable splitters may be passive or may include processing for store and forward or aggregation and routing functions, and repeater functionality.
  • the cable splitters can enable varied interconnect cables in the same network.
  • the external interface cable includes a sensor web connector on one end and a standard telephone jack on another end. It is noted however, that many standard power/communication cable types are possible.
  • the plug and play networking protocol supports a number of network functions via the ordinary process of link discovery and termination.
  • the network protocol/database management functions are adaptable according to the communication resources available and the capabilities ofthe devices on either end of a link, as for example in a WINS NG/PicoWINS connection.
  • the sensor web of an embodiment supports mixing and matching of numerous network products as well as interfacing with numerous power or information sources. Mixed wired and wireless networks are supported with no manual configuration required by the user. Longer range wired networks are supported using communication adapters that include standard high-speed communication devices for digital subscriber lines. A wide range of computers and communications devices may be integrated into the network, with the sensor web appearing, for example, as an Internet extension.
  • the WINS technology of an embodiment also supports the coexistence of heterogeneous communications devices.
  • wireless channels the multiple access nature makes coexistence of radios with very different transmit power levels and transmission speeds difficult. This is made more complicated by the likelihood of there being no central controller for channel access, making policing ofthe access channels more difficult.
  • One method is to make available universally understood control channels for negotiation of connections between different users. These users will then ordinarily switch to other channels according to the highest common denominator of their capabilities. These channels can also be used for scheduling of persistent channel access, or to set up a multi-cast group. However, it is generally anticipated that users will not grab these channels for data transport. To enforce this, the protocol times out users or otherwise enforces transmission duty cycle limits through built-in programming operating in each node.
  • a WINS embodiment uses a combination of spread spectrum communications and channel coding. As a side benefit, this also provides some diversity. More sophisticated users can attempt transmission at multiple power levels (gradually increasing to avoid excessive interference), but this is not required of all users.
  • the rapid acquisition ofthe appropriate code phase is assisted by a gateway in charge that can transmit a beacon which ca ⁇ ies the access channel phase to everyone within range.
  • a gateway absent a gateway, a number of pre-selected channels can be used for exchange of synchronism messages among active users. New users eavesdrop on these channels and then gain admission having learned the correct local phase.
  • node position location is an important consideration. Additional position location approaches for use in hybrid network embodiments are now discussed. These approaches include mixed networks of WINS NG and Pico WINS nodes, where the WINS NG nodes have GPS.
  • One network scenario includes a dense network of Pico WINS nodes overlaid with a network of WINS NG nodes, such that every Pico WINS node is within radio range of at least four WINS NG nodes.
  • Three levels of position location accuracy are plausible: location within the convex hull defined by the nearest WINS NG nodes; refinement based on adjacency relations of Pico WINS nodes; 1.5m if perfect time difference of arrival (TDOA) is performed, using 200 MHz bandwidth.
  • TDOA time difference of arrival
  • Accuracy can be improved with a high density of Pico WINS nodes that also transmit.
  • each node locates itself within the convex hull ofits neighbors.
  • a distributed iteration on the estimates ofthe positions ofthe nodes is performed.
  • TDOA methods are also possible, but here the clock drift can be problematic.
  • the procedure is as follows. Node 1 sends a transition-rich sequence. Node 2 records the positions ofthe transitions and after a fixed delay sends a similar sequence in response. Node 1 then repeats after a fixed delay, and iteration is performed. Averaging the time differences between the same transitions over the sequence and subtracting the fixed delays results in an estimate ofthe time difference.
  • an autocorrelation can be performed on the sequence to yield the peak. Peak positions are compared in successive autocorrelations, more or less as in early/late gate timing recovery.
  • the clocks of both nodes will deviate from the true frequency, both systematically and randomly.
  • Pico WINS nodes or tags perform ranging using beacon chi ⁇ pulses emitted by WINS NG class nodes.
  • the WINS NG nodes send out a sequence of pulses, with varying intervals so that the wavefronts intersect at different places over time.
  • the pulses include some coding to identify themselves.
  • Tags which receive signals from two different sources can use simple amplitude modulation (AM)-style diode demodulators to record these wavefront coincidences, and then the WINS NG nodes can tell the tags their positions.
  • AM amplitude modulation
  • This procedure produces good results when the WINS NG nodes have accurate clocks, range among themselves, synchronize their clocks, and the tags have a means of hopping their information back to at least one WINS NG node. It places minimal clock burdens on the tags.
  • the master sends out a pulse of duration TM, which a slave uses to derive its timing.
  • duration TM There is a propagation delay of TP, and a short guard time TG before the slave sends a short response pulse of duration TR, whose length is set by the need for a reasonable SNR at the correlator output in the master.
  • each tag can hear up to three nodes that send out ranging pulses, for example, short chi ⁇ s over the 200 MHz range. Tags located where pulses overlap in time determine that they are halfway between the sources if the pulses were sent at the same time. Given an offset in the launch time ofthe pulses, nodes at other locations can get the ranges to each node.
  • Increasing the time duration ofthe pulses increases the area that hears a coincidence.
  • the area between a set of nodes can be painted so that every tag gets coincidences for each pair.
  • One node can be designated as the master.
  • the other WINS NG nodes After the other WINS NG nodes have learned their positions, they can subsequently keep their clocks synchronized by listening to the pulses launched by the master, and dither their launch times according to a schedule computed using to an algorithm known by all the nodes. Now consider a tag which hears a pulse x(t) launched by node 1 and a pulse y(t) launched by node 2.
  • This can be demodulated with a standard AM diode (envelope) detector.
  • brackets 2cos ⁇ tcos ⁇ (t)+ 2cos ⁇ tcos ⁇ 2 (t)-l/2 [cos( ⁇ t- ⁇ ! (t))+l/2 cos( ⁇ t- ⁇ 2 (t))].
  • the term in brackets is essentially at the carrier while the terms out front are two AM waves.
  • the envelope detector will eliminate all terms near the carrier frequency, leaving
  • the first term can be removed by further low pass filtering, leaving a frequency modulated sinusoid at the same strength as the weaker ofthe waves that reach the tag.
  • the frequency difference is constant, leading to a phase slope that linearly depends on the offset in the perceived onset ofthe chi ⁇ s. This leads to refinement of position, especially when the tag has a receiver that is tuned to determine which wave arrived first (to resolve a twofold ambiguity). If the relative start times ofthe pulses are slowly changed, the position can be refined by choosing the coincidence event which produces the longest and lowest-frequency baseband signal, even for tags having only envelope detectors.
  • the ranging signals are not limited to chi ⁇ s.
  • chi ⁇ s or tones could be hopped, with the time durations ofthe hops set so that reasonable coincidence distances result for the pulses.
  • the hopping could be done, for example, using direct digital frequency synthesis (DDFS) to keep phase coherence.
  • DDFS direct digital frequency synthesis
  • Each coincidence paints the branch of a hyperbola closest to the node with the delayed signal.
  • the width ofthe hyperbola is equal to the pulse duration times the speed of light, and thus a 50 ns pulse paints a hyperbola branch of width 15 m.
  • distance resolution can be increased by looking at the frequency difference at baseband, and the time duration ofthe coincidence.
  • the position along the hyperbola is determined by considering coincidences from other pairs of transmitters.
  • the time to paint a 30 m square region is not large for three or four source nodes, even if time offsets are designed to move less than a meter at a time, since we can launch new pulses every 100 ns (the time for the wavefront to move 30 m).
  • Network security applications prove to be difficult for typical network solutions because of requirements such as very high detection probabilities with very low costs. Further, deliberate countermeasures to the detection network will be attempted, and so it must be robust.
  • One embodiment ofthe WINS technology that accomplishes the intended task is a heterogeneous and multiply- layered network. By presenting the opponent with a large number of means by which it can be sensed and tracked, design of countermeasures becomes extremely costly.
  • a layered, but internetworked, detection system permits incremental deployment and augmentation, providing cost efficiencies. Such an approach is useful in many applications, for example tagging of assets or materials for inventory control, automation of logistics, automated baggage handling, and automated check-out at retail outlets.
  • WINS NG systems in security network applications such as defense applications for battlefield, perimeter, and base security, as well as civilian analogs such as campus, building, and residence security takes advantage ofthe low-cost scalable WINS self-installing architecture.
  • the WINS NG sensing elements are located in relative proximity to potential threats and multiple nodes may simultaneously be brought to bear on threat detection and assessment. This dense distribution, when combined with proper networking, enables multihop, short range communication between nodes. Together with the internal signal processing that vastly reduces the quantity of data to transmit, the largest WINS power demand, communications operating power, is drastically reduced. Furthermore, network scalability is enhanced.
  • the internal layered signal processing allows low average power dissipation with continuous vigilance, and more sophisticated processing on occasion to reduce false alarms and misidentifications.
  • FIG 44 diagrams a security system 4400 using a WINS NG sensor network of an embodiment.
  • the sensor node 4402 includes seismic sensors 4404 at the base and a sensor suite 4406 on a raised column, for example, for a perimeter defense application.
  • the nodes are compact in volume permitting many to be carried.
  • the column supports imaging, passive IR, active and passive acoustic, active microwave, magnetic, and other sensors as needed.
  • An active illuminator 4408 can also be carried.
  • Solar photovoltaics provide power along with secondary cells for indefinite life. Low operating power permits extended operation without solar illumination.
  • FIG 45 shows a deployment network architecture 4500 of a WINS NG sensor network of an embodiment.
  • the WINS NG nodes 4502 are located at a small separation of approximately 30 meters. Small separation permits nodes 4502 to operate at low power, and relaxes sensor sensitivity requirements. Moreover, it enables shorter range sensing modes to be used, providing the signal processor with high SNR measurements from many domains, which simplifies identification problems.
  • the nodes 4502 image their neighbors with passive or active elements, thus providing security and redundancy. Both passive and bistatic sensing modes may be employed.
  • Figure 46 is a multihop network architecture of a WINS NG sensor network of an embodiment.
  • Nearest neighbor, low power multi-hop links 4602 are displayed as solid arrowhead lines.
  • the multi-hop architecture provides redundancy 4604 (dashed, fine arrowhead lines) to hop to next nearest neighbors, or complete long links at high power and in emergency conditions.
  • the WINS NG network terminates at a gateway 4610.
  • the WINS NG gateway 4610 provides protocol translation capability between WINS NG networks and conventional networks including those of existing security systems. Thus, the WINS NG network is backward compatible with existing systems in a transparent fashion.
  • gateways 4610 provide ways to connect with wide area networks such as the Internet, so that network resources such as databases and higher levels of computing can be employed in the security task. Gateways further enable remote control and analysis ofthe sensor network.
  • the hardware layering of preprocessor/processor together with the set of APIs allows large adaptability. Variable resolution, variable sample rate, variable power dissipation, adaptive signal processing algorithms, and event recognition algorithms that respond to background noise level are all examples of adaptability.
  • the communication physical layer is also adaptive, with variable transceiver power and channel coding. Further, it is responsive to queries in accordance with the local capabilities and connectivity to the Internet or other external networks. For example, data hold times, degrees of signal processing, readiness to communicate and engage in data fusion among nodes, and data aggregation can all be set by user queries, with relative priorities related to the energy costs of communicating, the local storage and signal processing resources, the available energy supply, and the priority of a given task.
  • the WINS NG system delivers compact imaging sensors (camera volume less than 20 cm ) in existing security system platforms or with new dedicated WINS NG imaging nodes. These imaging nodes can provide coverage of all areas between security nodes and the regions beyond the next nearest neighbor node for redundancy.
  • the image sensors are supported by the WINS NG node digital interfaces and signal processing for motion detection and other capabilities. For example, they can be triggered by the other sensors to avoid continuous operation with its relatively costly signal processing and communication requirements.
  • the image sensors may inco ⁇ orate an infrared or visible flash illuminator, operating at low duty cycle to conserve energy.
  • the WINS NG network is resistant to jamming.
  • Conventional tactical security communicators support long range single hop links. While this provides a simple network implementation, it requires high operating power (1- 10 W or greater), and expensive radios. In addition, the frequency band is restricted for military use. Finally, the allowed operating channels are fixed and narrow. Such links are both susceptible to jamming, and not covert.
  • the WINS NG network is implemented with multi-hop power- controlled communicators, and is thus inherently low-power.
  • the links are both covert and jam-resistant.
  • the WINS jamming barrier operates by: exploiting multi- hop communication for short-range links and using the severe ground-wave RF path loss as a protective fence; employing multiple decoy wireless channels to attract follower jammers to the decoys, and dividing attention away from the information carrying channels; and adapting communication and network protocols and routing to avoid jammers and to draw jamming power away from the WINS assets.
  • FIG 47 shows an example of WINS NG system shielding by distribution in space in an embodiment.
  • a random distribution of nodes 4702 is displayed, as they may be deployed by various means.
  • Each node 4702 is shown surrounded by a characteristic internode separation 4704.
  • the RF power level received from the node at this radius is assigned a reference value of 0 dB.
  • a jammer 4706 is also shown. From a jammer 4706 operating at the same power level as the node 4702, RF path loss will yield the contours of constant power at -20, -40 and -60 decibels (dB). These contours are drawn to scale for range R, using path loss dependence of R "4 .
  • Figure 48 shows an example of WINS NG system shielding by network routing in an embodiment.
  • the random distribution of nodes 4802 is displayed, as they might be deployed by various methods.
  • Each node 4802 is shown surrounded by a characteristic internode separation 4804.
  • the RF power level received from the node 4802 at this radius is assigned a reference value of 0 dB.
  • a jammer 4806 is also shown.
  • Multi-hop communication protocols may provide paths 4808 through the network that avoid jammers 4806, exploiting the natural RF path loss barrier.
  • the network protocols may mask this network link 4808 from the jammer 4806, preventing or spoofing the jammer's ability to detect or measure its effectiveness.
  • FIGs 49A and 49B show an example of WINS NG system shielding by distribution in frequency and time in an embodiment.
  • the jammer can be expected to broadcast in narrowband, broadband, and in follower modes.
  • the WINS NG system uses a concept for decoy signals that distracts the follower jammer using a method that is unique to distributed networks and exploits node distribution to draw the jammer away from links that must be protected. For example, transmission occurs on one channel, with one frequency-hopping pattern, shown in Figure 49B, at high power.
  • the follower jammer must select and jam this signal. In the process of jamming this signal, the follower jammer effectively jams its own receiver.
  • transmission occurs on one of many other channels, hopping with different schedules.
  • the WINS NG system information carrying channels may be low power channels, which are assigned lower priority by a jammer. In the worst case, the follower jammer may only remove some, but not all ofthe available bandwidth.
  • the follower jammer signal tracks a single node signal (solid line).
  • the jammer may be readily equipped to detect and jam this frequency-hopped signal.
  • the jammer is exposed to a decoy signal (dotted line) that may appear to be carrying information, but is merely a decoy.
  • the dashed line a covert low power signal, carries WINS NG system information.
  • a multiplicity of decoy and information bearing channels may continuously hop, change roles, and execute random and varying routing paths. The jammer is exposed to many layers of complexity.
  • Security networks may alternatively and usefully be constructed using combinations of WINS NG and Pico WINS technology.
  • WINS NG Pico WINS technology.
  • Short ranges imply high SNR for the measurements, and more homogeneous terrain between the target and nearby sensors. This reduces the number of features required in making a reliable identification.
  • objects to be detected are within the convex hull ofthe sensor array, enabling energy-based tracking (as opposed to coherent methods such as beamforming).
  • the short range enables simplified detection and identification algorithms because the targets are few in number and nearby, and the algorithms can specialize on personnel.
  • identification confidence is high: magnetic, acoustic, seismic, IR all have good performance, and data fusion is simplified.
  • three nodes near an object could use TDOA methods for seismic signals to estimate the object's location, or the network could take the energy centroid for all nodes that report an SNR above a certain threshold. This amounts to orders of magnitude less cost in terms of processing and data exchange compared to TDOA methods. Accuracy is not very high, but with such a dense dispersal of nodes it does not have to be high. For example, simply determining the node to which the target is closest is adequate for essentially all military pu ⁇ oses. Thus, a dense deployment of fairly simple nodes does not imply reduced detection capability.
  • IR is likely to have good field of view, and the other modalities are all likely to have high SNR.
  • the likelihood is high that one target (or target type) will totally dominate the received signal. With high SNR and a few sensing modalities, a small number of features will suffice to make a detection decision on personnel.
  • the modularity and self-assembly features ofthe WINS NG and Pico WINS nodes allow convenient mixing of many different types of sensors and sensor nodes in a region, while the capability to download new programming enables tuning of signal processing algorithms to particular types of threats.
  • a dense network of fixed WINS NG sensors is supplemented by an even denser distribution of sticky tags, or Pico WINS nodes, in the same general area.
  • These tags can be attached to moving articles in numerous ways, including magnetic attraction, adhesives, and burrs. They may themselves be active or passive, with an acoustic or RF resonant response.
  • the tags are supplemented by an activation and tracking network.
  • tags are randomly deployed, and are activated whenever a certain range of motion is experienced. These are interrogated by higher power, more widely spaced devices, such as a WINS NG node designed specifically to track the location of moving tags.
  • the tags may be initially activated by passing through a personnel sensor field. If for example the magnetic signature and footstep pattern is within range, there is confidence the target is a soldier, and thus worth tracking.
  • the personnel detection network activates a mechanical device which disperses tags towards the target (e.g., spring launched, "bouncing betty", low-velocity dispersal, etc.).
  • the tag includes at least one supplemental sensor that in one embodiment indicates whether the tags have attached to moving targets, targets which bear metal, and so forth, so that higher confidence is obtained about the type of target which has been tagged.
  • Tagging also simplifies tracking when the target moves outside the zone of dense detectors.
  • Vehicular tags could be active, emitting specific identification sequences that are tracked at long range with aerial or high- powered ground stations.
  • Personnel tags can be either active or passive, but in any case are much more easily detectable at range than the acoustic, seismic, visual, or heat signatures of humans.
  • the tag dispersal areas need not be coincident with a dense network of personnel detectors. If the tags have sufficient sensing means to determine that they are likely attached to a particular host, they can make a decision to respond to queries or not to respond. Likewise, the devices that query may be distinct from the devices that listen for responses.
  • an aerial device with high power emits the interrogation signal over a wide area and ground devices listen for the response.
  • many lower cost receivers leverage one expensive asset. These receivers are cued to expect possible responses by a preliminary message from a drone, so that they do not have to be constantly vigilant.
  • Tags can also bind sensor information to an object, whether the information is supplied by the tag, external sensors, the user, or some combination of these things.
  • the pu ⁇ ose is to be able to easily recover some information about the object bearing the tag.
  • external means are used to identify the object being tagged, and then information is impressed on the tag (e.g. price tags or baggage).
  • a tag reading system acquires information about the object that would otherwise be extremely difficult to obtain by mechanical sensory examination ofthe object without a tag.
  • a tag without sensing can still be used as the item that provides the unique identifier for the object it is attached to, in which case all sensor data collected by the network can be properly correlated to make the identification. Alternatively, some of this information is stored on the tag itself.
  • the tag itself can include some sensors and signal processing, and plays an active role in the identification ofthe object, either alone or in combination with other tags and sensor nodes. Since the tag has physical contact with the object, very simple sensors and signal processing algorithms lead to high confidence in identification. In this mode of operation, the tag starts with no idea about what the object is, and at each step downloads new software from other nodes (possibly using their information), or performs measurements and processing at their request. The tag thus does not need to carry much software, leading to reduced cost.
  • the tags placed in the environment determine if they are attached to friendly personnel or vehicles.
  • the tags or nodes send out an identification friend or foe (IFF) beacon (short range) and deactivate in response to a positive reply.
  • IFF identification friend or foe
  • Either embodiment can inhibit activation or distribution of tags for some limited geographic area and time span.
  • tags issue inhibit signals to prevent multiple tags from being attached to one object, so that it is more difficult for an enemy to clear a path through a region with a high density of tags.
  • the tags placed in an area do not have to be ofthe same type. For example, more capable tags can preferentially be induced to attach to targets whose tags indicate that the target is interesting. Thus, grippers or adhesives may become exposed when it is indicated a worthwhile target is coming close.
  • the collection of tags on the object may become a powerful sensor network by the time several iterations of this process are complete. Cumulative exposure to tag and sensor rich areas therefore provides a much greater than linear increase in probability of a target being identified and tagged for long-range tracking, or acquired in imaging systems.
  • a sensor network that is subject to localized physical attack whether by human or other agents may be enabled to sow the region of devastation with new tags so that targets can continue to be tracked.
  • the WINS NG and Pico WINS technology provides this self-healing capability.
  • a variety of launchers may be used to disperse sensor nodes, webs, or tags into regions that were previously covered by a sensor network, or initial deployment of sensors. This can be supplemented by an airdrop of new nodes. Network reconfigurability and self-organization technologies make this possible. Temporarily spraying only Pico WINS tags in the region gives a lower level of reliability, but is an economical means of covering a gap until a full mixed Pico WINS and WINS NG network can be re-deployed. If the physical attack is due to personnel, this provides the added benefit of immediately tagging them.
  • the sensor launchers may also serve secondary pu ⁇ oses such as deploying small webs or antennas to tree tops to provide longer range coverage to and over denied areas.
  • Such a network is maintainable at several levels of operation. Easily arranged and low cost delivery of components assure some minimal level of functionality, with the ability to go to higher levels of functionality given more time and expense.
  • a mix of reliance upon locally cached resources and the possibility of calling in replacements remotely (via artillery or air drops) is more robust against combinations of jamming and physical attacks. This ability is enabled in part by the self-assembling nature of WINS networks, both with respect to physical networks and also complete applications.
  • each layer is capable of functioning independently, but higher layers are also able to communicate with and command lower layers for more efficient operation. Loss of these higher layers therefore degrades detection/tracking capability, rather than eliminating it. Loss of a lower layer may also impede detection tracking coverage, but does not eliminate it.
  • the opponent is faced with the need to destroy essentially all the diverse components over a fairly wide area in a short period of time. The resources required to do this are easily detectable at long range.
  • the system is a network of interacting networks which can interoperate for increased robustness and efficiency. This heterogeneity is accomplished using a layered set of APIs such that communication among all nodes is accomplished at the highest common level, with appropriate self-organization protocols for each level.
  • RFID Radio Frequency Identification Device
  • Typical RFID asset management systems use low cost tags and high cost interrogator instruments. Interrogator instruments typically require an antenna having dimension of 0.4-1 m. The maximum reading distance between the interrogator and the tags varies from 0.6 m for low cost tags, to 2 m for large, high cost tags. Interrogators are typically large, high power instruments.
  • the battery powered tag devices are inte ⁇ ogated with a high power instrument and return data with battery powered transmission. Read range extends to approximately 3 meters.
  • Conventional tags for use in vehicle identification use large, high power, fixed base inte ⁇ ogators. Thus, conventional RFID tag systems have limited capabilities and require large, expensive inte ⁇ ogators and antennae.
  • the low power networked sensors ofthe WINS NG and Pico WINS technology are well suited to advance the art of RFID asset management.
  • An embodiment of an asset management system is implemented with intelligent tags in the form of WINS NG sensors or mobile Pico WINS tags, and low cost portable, distributed inte ⁇ ogator gateways in the form of WINS NG gateways.
  • the industries benefiting from the asset management sensor tags include, but are not limited to, aerospace, airlines, apparel, beverages, glass, chemicals, construction, food, food services, forest and paper, health care, industrial equipment, mail and freight, metal products, mining, automotive, oilfield services, refining, pharmaceuticals, publishing, railroads, rubber and plastic, soap, cosmetics, and utilities.
  • WINS NG and Pico WINS technology including continuous low power sensing and event recognition, is integrated with existing RFID systems that have an installed base of RFID interrogators.
  • WINS devices form the complete system.
  • the WINS tag is attached to or integrated with a product or shipping container. Unlike conventional devices, transmission range ofthe WINS tag is at least 10 meters. In addition, the tag is autonomous and operates continuously. Unlike conventional tags that provide only identification, the WINS tag provides continuous on-board measurement. Thus the WINS tag may record time, time of passing a waypoint, and may carry data among waypoints. Because the WINS tag is autonomous, it may continuously or periodically sense status, for example, temperature, shock, vibration, motion, tip, light level, and package opening and closing, but is not so limited. Unlike conventional RFID technologies, the WINS NG tag uses only a compact, low power inte ⁇ ogator that may be networked locally, deployed in a distributed network, or deployed as an independent autonomous unit.
  • the WINS NG tag interrogator may communicate by wireless links and may be distributed within a warehouse, shipping vehicle, loading dock, or processing facility.
  • the autonomous inte ⁇ ogator node may monitor the progress of an asset and determine if a sensed condition or progress timing is out of bounds, as per a programmed schedule of sensed variable limits.
  • the interrogator, or WINS NG gateway may interface with standard LAN, telephony, or wireless resources.
  • FIG 50 is an asset management architecture 5000 including the WINS NG or Pico WINS tags of an embodiment.
  • WINS tags, or nodes are attached to assets or integrated into shipping containers.
  • Assets 5002 are stored in at least one warehouse 5004. Any or all ofthe assets 5002 may have nodes, or RFID tags (not shown) attached to them.
  • the nodes attached to the assets 5002 are in network communication with gateway node devices, such as WINS NG gateway nodes 5006A and 5006B within the warehouse structure 5004.
  • the WINS NG gateway nodes 5006 may be variously autonomous or networked.
  • the path for unstored assets 5008A-5008D (shown as a dotted line 5016) carries the asset 5008 past a series of WINS NG gateway nodes 5006, such as autonomous gateways 5006C and 5006D.
  • the gateways 5006C and 5006D serve as waypoints providing time-of-arrival, routing, and destination information for the asset in communication with it through a WINS node attached to the asset.
  • the gateway autonomous interrogators such as gateways 5006C and 5006D are fixed asset base stations distributed at waypoints along the asset path 5016.
  • the gateway 5006 learns and records its position and creates a message.
  • the gateway 5006 need not be networked and may be an independent device in the field.
  • the gateway 5006, in some embodiments, carries a GPS device to allow its location be recorded and transfe ⁇ ed to a passing WINS tag.
  • Autonomous WINS gateways 5006 are free of any infrastructure. Absolute time and location, either recorded or GPS determined, are available to the gateways 5006. A gateway 5006 compares progress in shipping or in a process line with that expected. The status information may be downloaded to any gateway 5006. Both presence information and sensed asset information are available. At the end of a trip, or at any point, the asset 5008 may encounter a distributed, networked gateway 5006. Here asset information is made available. In addition, a low power, portable gateway 5006 may be used as a handheld device for inte ⁇ ogation of assets.
  • the WINS tag is integrated or attached to a container or other asset.
  • the WINS node continuously samples and records changes in the asset status.
  • it continuously seeks the presence of WINS NG gateway devices.
  • the gateway devices may be networked by a multihop wireless network, or by conventional wireless or wired services.
  • the gateways may be distributed and operate autonomously, providing waypoint time-of-arrival information to be passed to the WINS NG node for later download.
  • a WINS node may broadcast emergency status information regarding either properties of an asset, delay in the progress ofthe asset to a destination, or the asset's misrouting.
  • the WINS NG gateway devices are networked, unlike conventional inte ⁇ ogators, and multiple gateway devices may attempt to acquire nodes or the same node within the same cell.
  • the WINS nodes communicate with efficient codes carrying location, history, and sensor information.
  • the WINS node continuously senses, and operates with compact cells for a life of multiple years, through exploitation ofthe many energy conserving features of WINS NG and Pico WINS node and network architectures.
  • the WINS node may respond to queries generated by users anywhere within the local or wide area network to which it is connected, and makes full use ofthe database technology previously described with reference to WINS NG networks.
  • nodes may be embedded in rotating machine parts to sense vibration.
  • the asset being monitored might be a large industrial pump, critical to factory operation.
  • the node alerts the remote monitor, which may then command reporting of more detailed information. Diagnostic or prognostic algorithms may be run on this more detailed database, or a human expert may view the data from a remote location using standard Web browsing tools. In this way, problems may be quickly identified without the need for experts to travel to a remote site. Shut-downs can be commanded before significant damage takes place and appropriate replacement and repair procedures executed.
  • the sensor network is used to examine flow of goods through a warehouse.
  • the database includes information such as location of goods and the time spent in the warehouse. Analysis of this database can reveal patterns of storage time for particular categories of goods, allowing more efficient a ⁇ angements to be made with suppliers and customers.
  • the WINS tags can also be used for monitoring, including applications in monitoring control processes, equipment, and operations.
  • Distributed sensors and controls enable fundamental advances in manufacturing and condition- based maintenance. While conventional sensor systems relying on wireline communication systems suffer from costly installation and maintenance and restricted mobility, these typical systems hinder modification or reconfiguration of facilities and equipment. This is a particularly important problem in high volume production lines where maintenance downtime is prohibitively expensive.
  • the WINS NG and Pico WINS systems are low cost, mobile systems that cover the entire ente ⁇ rise.
  • the WINS systems for manufacturing include sensors installed on rotating tool bits, machine tools, workpieces, and assembly machines. Measurements can be made of diverse parameters and operations, including feed forces and vibration, stamping, joining, and other operations.
  • the mobility offered by the WINS NG technology enables operations to be modified dynamically while minimizing downtime.
  • Mobile workers can monitor local operations and examine each operation through a WINS NG system measurement.
  • WINS NG condition-based maintenance provides large operating cost saving by allowing tool and system maintenance to be scheduled in advance of a failure.
  • the WINS tags can be used as personal devices, as used for example in applications including communication, workplace safety, workflow monitoring, control and verification, and health care.
  • Suppliers of capital equipment may acquire most or all of their profit from after-market service provided on their equipment. Consequently, maintaining a customer service account with both replacement parts and service is critical. Suppliers often find that customers are turning away from their business and replacing their high-quality replacement parts with low quality (and lower price) components from competitors. For example, for high end equipment in the energy industry, replacement part orders may total larger than $1 million for a single case with component costs of $50,000 and greater. This loss of replacement subsystem business erodes the revenue for the capital equipment supplier.
  • the WINS network of an embodiment provides desired monitoring functions and also manages the capital equipment assets, by performing a continuous inventory ofthe equipment.
  • This WINS network system includes: the ability to monitor the condition of machinery, equipment, instruments, vehicles, and other assets as well as monitoring the equipment location; the ability to monitor the condition of machinery, equipment, instruments, vehicles, and other assets as well as monitoring the inventory of components on these systems thereby making it possible to determine that the components have originated at a specific supplier and have been installed at a particular time; a WINS network with systems for electronically marking and verifying the presence of components; a WINS network having systems for notifying a remote user when components are installed on a system that do not meet specifications or do not contain the electronic marking; a WINS network that uniquely identifies components that contain a mechanical feature that generates a unique and identifiable vibration pattern; a WINS network that uniquely identifies components by detecting an electromagnetic signal generated by the rotation ofthe component; a WINS network that derives energy for powering the network from an electromagnetic signal; a WINS network that derives
  • LANs Wireless Local Area Networks
  • CATV cable television
  • DSL digital subscriber lines
  • Curb optical fiber to the "curb” supplemented by DSL drop to the home or office
  • satellite communications satellite communications.
  • CATV cable television
  • DSL digital subscriber lines
  • provision of wide-area high-speed wireless services is costly and likely to remain so for some time to come, while there is already a large installed base of CATV and telephone lines available for use.
  • these typical technologies provide high speed access to one or a few points within the home at relatively low cost compared to wireless solutions, re-wiring within the facility to bring such services to every room, however, remains costly. Consequently, wireless solutions are desired.
  • the WINS NG gateways provides an interfacing among these wired communications services to provide wireless connectivity within a residence, office, or industrial facility.
  • Home applications ofthe WINS technology include security networks, health monitoring, maintenance, entertainment system management, vehicle communications, control of appliances, computer networks, location and monitoring of children and pets, and energy and climate management.
  • the self- assembly features, compact size, and efficient energy usage of WINS NG and Pico WINS networks enable low-cost retrofitting for this full range of applications.
  • the modular design ofthe nodes enables configurations that can interoperate with emerging consumer radio network standards such as Bluetooth or Home RF. Higher-speed protocols such as Bluetooth can be used to multihop information throughout a residence and/or to a vehicle, while lower speed and less costly solutions are adopted for a dense security network. Nodes with higher speed radios can be coupled to a reliable power supply.
  • the WINS NG server and web assistant technology make possible the remote monitoring and control of these systems with standard tools, including archiving of important data and provision of warnings to the current registered communications mode ofthe users (e.g., pager).
  • Office applications ofthe WINS technology include computer and computer peripheral networks, location of objects, smart whiteboards/pens, condition based maintenance of both office and heavy equipment such as photocopiers and elevators, security, health monitoring, and energy and climate management.
  • the same features of self-assembly, compact size, and efficient energy usage enable low-cost introduction ofthe WINS networks into the office environment.
  • the WINS networks interface to the wired or wireless LAN by means of WINS NG gateways, and to the Internet or other wide area network.
  • the WINS NG and web assistant technology enable remote management of these assets. With the same tools, a user manages assets in the home, vehicle, or office, representing a large saving in learning time.
  • Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks
  • wide area wireless networks are constructed using a cellular architecture, either formed by te ⁇ estrial base-stations which re-use channels, or by the spot beams of satellites which likewise re-use channels in different locales.
  • a cellular architecture In cellular systems, all communications flows back and forth between the remote users and the basestations, and never directly between users.
  • the basestations typically have access to a high-speed network using either wires or different frequencies than those used for commumcation with users.
  • This wide area backbone network may in turn provide access to the Internet.
  • the density of channel re-use depends on the density of basestations, and thus the infrastructure cost scales roughly linearly with the desired re-use density ofthe channels, which is in turn driven by the number of users and their expected bit rate requirements.
  • cellular systems are designed to provide a limited number of categories of service, for example, voice and low-speed data, and to have a roughly uniform quality of service within the coverage region. This results in a large infrastructure cost and delay in
  • wide area paging networks can function in a fashion complementary to telepoint networks, serving as the means for alerting telepoint users to make a call at the first opportunity.
  • the WINS NG and Pico WINS networks of an embodiment offer valuable extensions of capabilities for overlaid information service station and wide area networks.
  • the capability to self-assemble into multi-hop networks enables denser re-use of channels than is implied by the fixed basestation infrastructure. By processing data at the source and enabling data aggregation, many more nodes can be included in the network.
  • the multihop communication can reduce power requirements and thus cost for most ofthe radios in the network, with a smaller fraction ofthe radios needed to communicate with the basestations, which may for example include WINS NG gateways.
  • the multihop communications can use the same set of channels used in the wide area cellular network, or a different set.
  • WINS NG gateways enables access to WINS Web servers and database management tools, allowing remote configuration and control of the network, and making these resources available to the remote nodes. Further, these database tools can be used to more tightly manage overlaid networks so that data is routed in the fashion desired by a user (e.g., to meet quality of service requirements or conserve energy). Both high-speed and low-speed services can be managed using the same device, reducing cost. Examples of services enabled with the WINS NG and Pico WINS technology include, but are not limited to, medical informatics, fleet management, and automatic meter reading.
  • the WINS NG and Pico WINS node, or sensor applications in medical informatics include patient monitors, equipment monitoring, and applications in tracking, tagging, and locating. For example, visits by medical professionals can be automatically captured and logged in a patient's medical history by means of a WINS network and the associated database services.
  • the WINS network can also be used in the clinical environment, as well as for ambulatory outpatients in the home or even at work.
  • the WINS network enables a patient's family to monitor the patient's condition from their home or office, or to monitor sick children from other rooms in a house, and supply appropriate alarms.
  • the components of an embodiment of such a network are body LANs, information islands (home, work, hospital), wide area low-speed networks, and web-based services to link the components.
  • monitoring devices In all medical applications, there must be a means of gathering information about the state ofthe body.
  • medical monitoring devices have proprietary user interfaces, with little attempt to provide commonality across different classes of machines. This results in costly involvement of medical professionals at every step ofthe examination.
  • WINS NG nodes can interface to such devices, performing some combination of processing and logging of data via gateways to the Internet and thus to databases constructed for this pu ⁇ ose.
  • the outputs of many different monitoring devices are linked in a database, leading to improved fusion of data, and more complete histories ofthe state ofthe patient.
  • the monitoring devices may be compact devices that directly attach to the body.
  • Embodiments of a Pico WINS network self-assemble and report observations to a device with some combination of longer range communications or mass storage capability (e.g., a WINS NG gateway).
  • the devices may be standalone devices, or a mix of body network and stand-alone devices, which nonetheless are linked in a self-assembling network.
  • the medical professional may additionally employ wireless personal digital assistants, which become members ofthe WINS NG network, to annotate or view data.
  • wireless personal digital assistants which become members ofthe WINS NG network
  • Such a network on its own is useful in home or clinical settings where connectivity to the Internet is made through WINS NG gateways in concert with wide area wired or wireless networks.
  • the medical informatics network includes monitoring devices, and wireless information islands that connect via the Internet to databases and other remote services. This simplifies collection of medical information from diverse sources, and enables far more complete records to be assembled.
  • the monitoring and database query devices also have access to a wide area wireless networks, either on their own or by means of gateways.
  • the body network continuously monitors the state and location ofthe patient, and reports warnings to both the patient and medical professionals as the situation warrants.
  • Example warnings include warnings for the patient to either cease a risky activity or for assistance to be summoned (e.g., for heart conditions). This may provide additional mobility to patients who otherwise would need close on-site supervision by medical professionals, and allow patients to live fuller lives with limitations on their activities being individualized, rather than being based on conservative assumptions.
  • the body network communicates using short-range and low-power methods, so that each patient may have many sensors without the need for multiple long range radios.
  • the wide area network allows priority messages to be sent even when the patient is out of reach of high-speed connections. In the interim, the body network can log histories, and wait to download this information or receive new programming until the next occasion on which it is in proximity to high-speed connections.
  • the same technology is used for monitoring healthy individuals who may be engaged in hazardous activities (e.g., firefighting, warfare, high-risk sports, childhood), so that assistance can be promptly summoned as needed, and with a prior indication ofthe state ofthe patient.
  • hazardous activities e.g., firefighting, warfare, high-risk sports, childhood
  • a WINS network can be retrofitted to monitor the state of key components, and then to report results via gateways located, for example, in service areas. If supplemented with a lower-speed wide area network, breakdowns or other emergency conditions are reported, and tasks such as snow-removal monitored and controlled. Other functions such as dispatch of emergency vehicles are improved if locations of all vehicles are noted, and travel times for different routes (according to time of day) have been logged in the database. Large transfers of data take place near WINS NG gateways with wired or high-speed wireless Internet access, while command and control information flows through the low speed network, and vehicle component data flows through its local multi-hop network.
  • Cu ⁇ ent AMR solutions utilize telephone dial-up, power lines, and low power RF technology in the 928-956 MHz band.
  • Cellular, Personal Communication System (PCS), or specialized mobile radio (SMR) airlinks are more flexible than dial-up or power line links, and they cover a broader geographic area than the 928-956 MHz signals.
  • PCS Personal Communication System
  • SMR specialized mobile radio
  • a solution using combinations of Pico WINS and WINS NG technology described herein provides convenient network self-assembly, signal processing at source to reduce communications traffic, multi-hopping using a low density of longer range links, combination with WINS database and Web server technology for remote management ofthe network, and a simple path towards incremental deployment, in that wide area wireless networks are not required.
  • wide-area low data rate wireless access is available, and WINS NG technology permits efficient usage through local multihopping, data processing, and data aggregation.
  • WINS NG networks deployed in homes for home networking or vehicle networking pu ⁇ oses can in one embodiment also be shared for the meter reading applications, further reducing costs.
  • wireless carriers can combine AMR with demand side management (DSM) capabilities using the WINS NG system of an embodiment, as sensing, signal processing, and control interfaces are all available. Local capabilities greatly diminish the communication required to support the applications.
  • DSM applications enable a utility company to better manage its aggregate energy requirements through agreements with customers. Design and Testing of Composite Systems
  • networks of autonomous or robotic components constitute a system, for example, for dealing with hostile situations such as in battlefield, space, or undersea applications, or the many challenges posed by autonomous manufacturing.
  • Design ofa single device that is self- sufficient in energy and also mobile is typically very costly.
  • Cu ⁇ ent practice in industrial production is to create specialized devices for particular tasks, and coordinate them by a combination of human intervention and separate wired networks for energy, communication, and control.
  • WINS NG and Pico WINS systems technology any device so equipped that is brought into communication range becomes part ofthe system.
  • the system automatically adjusts as new components are added or old components removed.
  • WINS NG gateways the database and other resources available through the Internet are accessed by the network and remote users may control the network, for example, by using the WINS web assistant and servers.
  • WINS NG technology provides the first low cost global vehicle internetworking solution.
  • individual vehicle systems are monitored, queried, and upgraded on a global scale.
  • Internet services provide remote access that is integrated into the operations of a vehicle manufacturer.
  • Vehicle internetworking provides benefits through the entire vehicle life cycle, including manufacturing, distribution, sale, fleet or individual owner information, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and used vehicle sales information.
  • FIG 51 is a diagram of a vehicle internetworking system 5100 of an embodiment.
  • vehicles 5114, 5116, and 5118 are each manufactured by a single manufacturer, although the invention is not so limited.
  • the vehicle manufacturer installs WINS NG system components in the vehicles to allow internetworking throughout the life of each vehicle. Additionally, the WINS NG system can be installed as an aftermarket component.
  • the manufacturer's existing information technology systems 5106, including vehicle information servers 5120, are used to participate in the internetworking system. Through WINS NG gateways 5108 and 5110 and the Internet 5112, world wide web access to vehicle information servers is provided to vehicles 5114, 5116, and 5118.
  • vehicle information servers can also access individual WINS NG nodes, such as gateways 5108 and 5110, and individual vehicles. Vehicle information servers can also be placed in any location apart from the manufacturer's existing information technology systems 5106. Vehicle information server 5104 is an example of a vehicle information server that may exist at any location.
  • Computers accessing the world wide web have access to nodes, vehicles, and vehicle information servers.
  • Computer 5102 may, for example, be a home, office, vehicle dealer, or service station computer.
  • Communication between vehicles 5114, 5116, 5118 and any of the gateway nodes, such as gateways 5108 and 5110, in one embodiment, is accomplished through wireless methods that do not require universal high speed services, but can include a mix of low-speed wide area connections (for example, cellular telephones and pagers) and high-speed short range connections (for example, to WINS NG gateways).
  • Communication between gateways 5108 and 5110 and Internet 5112 is, in various embodiments, accomplished using wireless or wireline methods.
  • the WINS NG technology provides low cost, low power, compact intelligent nodes that are coupled to vehicle diagnostic ports.
  • the WINS NG node can for example communicate via the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ISM-band spread spectrum channels. These channels, in addition to providing robust communication, are unlicensed, thus eliminating wireless access subscription fees. Power limitations prevent wide area coverage, and so communication over such channels may optionally be supplemented by lower speed access over licensed channels.
  • the WINS NG nodes link to local area WINS NG bi-directional gateways that access Internet services via multiple channels.
  • the WINS NG node manages the vehicle access port, logs and processes vehicle information, finds the lowest cost Internet connection permitted by application latency constraints, and immediately enables a wide range of valuable services at small incremental cost.
  • a node may process diagnostic port data and transmit a reduced data set to a server if only cellular communications are available during a time window or, application permitting, queue the data until an available WINS NG gateway connection comes into range.
  • the WINS NG information systems provide benefits at each stage ofthe vehicle life cycle. Many of these benefits derive from WINS NG monitoring capability. However, additional valuable benefits also result from the ability to upgrade remote vehicles, distributed at any location. This WINS NG application permits remote scheduled, verified upgrade and repair of digital system firmware. In addition to eliminating recalls that require firmware upgrade, this ultimately opens a new market for vehicles system upgrade products supplied through a vehicle manufacturer or their designated agents. Other WINS NG system benefits apply to vehicle manufacturer fleet customers who can track, locate, monitor, secure and control vehicles in rental and other operations while reducing personnel costs. Access to vehicle manufacturer customers through the life cycle results from personalized, web- based information services.
  • WINS NG vehicle internetworking also provides marketing and business information such as sales information and vehicle usage data that may be used in, for example, formulating targeted advertising.
  • the vehicle internetworking system of an embodiment includes, but is not limited to, embedded WINS NG nodes, WINS NG gateways, WINS server applications, and WINS web assistants.
  • WINS NG nodes As a complete, lasting solution for vehicle Internet access, embodiments provide connectivity throughout the life cycle of the vehicle. Connectivity begins in manufacturing and proceeds through testing, distribution, sales, field use, maintenance, recall upgrade, and used vehicle sales.
  • Connectivity of an embodiment includes: availability on a national scale; connectivity to vehicles in all environments where the vehicle will be found using common hardware; connectivity in indoor and outdoor environments; scalability such that only a limited number of transactions are used for access to vast numbers of vehicles; local information processing services at the vehicle internetworking component that reduce the communication payload using reconfigurable systems; a single hardware component solution for vehicle and Internet access to eliminate requirements for distribution and deployment of multiple products; operation with a single national network service provider without the requirement of region-by-region negotiation with subscriber service providers; robust operation with atomic transaction methods to enable deployment on vehicles using available diagnostic port power sources; secure operation that provides privacy and authentication; low component cost at both the vehicle node and the Internet access points; capability for rapid, low cost, after-market deployment ofthe connectivity solution; and, ability to deploy large (e.g., 100 kb-1 Mb) data sets at a high speed and low cost.
  • large e.g., 100 kb-1 Mb
  • Data access to vehicles includes many measurement capabilities.
  • the On-Board Diagnostics standards, OBD-I and OBD-II provide access to a wide range of parameters.
  • the information that is derived from data processing at the node is of even greater value than the actual OBD data sets. Because all vehicle data may be aggregated, regardless of where it is collected, new capabilities are enabled. For example, the characteristics of entire vehicle populations and histories are available through the full capability of data technology for information recovery.
  • WINS networking technology products and information systems of an embodiment related to Internet access to vehicle systems include information technology products, Internet services (ente ⁇ rise, national, and international) that aggregate all vehicle information, and Internet services for management and information recovery from distributed vehicle monitoring.
  • Information technology products include database systems that recover all needed data in a secure fashion from vehicles that appear at any location within reach of a gateway.
  • Information technology products further include database methods that migrate, in an atomic fashion, entire operating system (OS) and other software components to remote, mobile vehicle systems. These database methods ensure that all vehicles in a population acquire and properly produce the authenticated data needed, and receive the new commands, control, entertainment information, and AutoPC software upgrades.
  • OS operating system
  • the database system manages the predistribution of code and data to gateway and gateway clusters in anticipation ofthe arrival of a specific vehicle or a vehicle that is a member ofa class.
  • customers are served by vehicle Internetworking access at low duty cycle. Specifically, continuous access is not required, but access occurs when a vehicle arrives near a gateway.
  • Gateways are at locations including refueling stops, intersections, railroad switch yards, maintenance stations, and loading docks. Gateway connectivity is convenient on a global scale.
  • Data payloads of an embodiment can be large, and can include lengthy and detailed signal histories, large code components, and entertainment code and information, but are not so limited. Occasional downloads can be larger than 1 Mbyte.
  • a node that is continuously active with both monitoring and recording of vehicle condition. Data downloads to a vehicle, such as software updates, are beneficial.
  • a node falls within the proximity of a gateway for a download, but is not required to be immediately adjacent to a gateway.
  • Internet access to motor vehicle systems using the WINS NG system of an embodiment provides for the transfer and handling of data products, control products, mobile user services, operator information services, fixed base user services, fleet vehicle owner services, fleet operator services, vehicle vendor services, and security services.
  • the data products include: location; vehicle status; vehicle maintenance information; vehicle component asset management; and shipping vehicle asset management inte ⁇ ogator services.
  • the control products include: authorization; reconfiguration; and upgrade.
  • Mobile user services include entertainment.
  • the operation information services include: vehicle information; maintenance information; upgrade; reconfiguration; and software installation for vehicle PC and information systems.
  • the fixed base user services include: maintenance and vehicle history information; vehicle purchase and usage history; and vehicle maintenance service negotiation services.
  • the fleet owner services include: location; history; maintenance; and usage.
  • the fleet operator services include: workflow; scheduling; efficiency; and energy use.
  • the vehicle vendor services include: recall prediction; software upgrade; recall cost elimination; regulatory compliance methods; software/firmware sale channels; vehicle usage data; and warranty repair verification.
  • Security services include: active vehicle identification; vehicle identification combined with WINS imaging and sensing; and vehicle identification combined with WINS Web services.
  • the WINS NG vehicle internetworking architecture includes a low cost WINS NG node mounted on the vehicle diagnostic port.
  • the WINS NG node provides local intelligence for recording OBD data histories and provides local event and data recognition capability.
  • the WINS NG node self-assembles its network with WINS NG gateways for bi-directional access.
  • the WINS NG node is reconfigurable via the WINS NG network for new capabilities, and the WINS NG node conveys reconfiguration and programming information to the EEC module.
  • the WINS NG node also carries additional sensor capability.
  • the WINS NG node communicates via local wireless equipment to assets on board the vehicle, including the AutoPC.
  • the WINS NG node communicates with handheld displays at service stations and other areas to provide personalized services.
  • the WINS NG gateway devices are deployed in environments including assembly areas, distribution centers, shipping facilities, dealerships, maintenance centers, gas stations, and other locations.
  • the WINS NG gateways provide services in support ofthe WINS NG nodes and capability for local storage and forwarding of individual or collective vehicle data for upload or download from the vehicle.
  • the networking is supplemented with low- bit rate communication to wider area networks, to preserve connectivity for high priority messages even when gateways are not in range.
  • This can be by means of a secondary radio within the WINS NG node, or by means of another radio accessed through the vehicular communication network.
  • servers aggregate vehicle data and provide WINS NG network management. Servers further provide Web and other Internet services to the vehicle manufacturer for a full range of business benefits. For example, vehicles become automatically registered into the database through the self-assembly features of WINS NG systems. Parameters ofthe data collection process for the processes available at the OBD port can be selected at a web site, and viewed by both the manufacturer and the vehicle owner. Diagnostic and prognostic algorithms are run using this data, and these algorithms may themselves command changes in the type of data being reported based on the probability ofa fault being detected. If a repair is suggested, the diagnostic information is available to each of the vehicle owner, repair shop, and manufacturer, and data taken after the repair is accomplished is used to verify whether the action taken is effective.
  • the record of repairs made to a fleet of vehicles is used by engineers at the manufacturer to assist in designing new versions ofthe vehicle, or in suggesting pre-emptive maintenance. Records ofthe effectiveness of repairs over a range of vehicles is used by manufacturers to assess the quality of work being performed at different shops. This may also be used to suggest improved repair procedures for problems that arise in numerous vehicles. Alternatively, such diagnostics and quality assessment services are performed by a third party that is given access to the database of performance histories. Thus, convenient web access to a database ofthe maintenance history of individual vehicles and fleets of vehicles is valuable to many parties, ultimately saving money and improving procedures and products. Furthermore, the ability of WINS NG network servers to issue queries that also affect how the data is collected leads to deeper investigations of priority events, without requiring this level of detail across the whole fleet.
  • the IDB-C is an auto industry standard being developed to run over control area networks (CANs), thus providing approximately 125 kb/s in a wired local area network. While it is being developed for the consumer applications automotive multimedia interface (AMI), the architecture is also suitable for many aspects ofthe separate Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) network for vehicle-critical operations.
  • OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
  • devices connected to the network contain a device that is responsive to the base protocol that serves to schedule all communications in the network. Further, the responsive device automatically shuts off communications from hosts that are malfunctioning or otherwise not conforming to the network protocol.
  • This can be embedded in connectors, for example as embodiments of Pico WINS devices, or in the devices that are to connect to the network.
  • the base network thus carries all control traffic, with the gateway used to resolve disputes over line access.
  • the network also ca ⁇ ies data traffic for devices that do not require high-speed connections.
  • FIG 52 is a WINS NG network 5200 of an automotive embodiment.
  • a WINS NG node 5202 bridges two components ofthe network, bus 5210 and bus 5212, with intelligent Pico WINS devices used as the Control Network Interface (CNI) devices 5204 that link consumer electronics 5206 to the bus 5212.
  • CNIs 5204 control access to the bus 5212, and can perform data aggregation or other functions needed to reduce access traffic. They may additionally perform security/authentication functions.
  • Communications to exterior networks for testing can be enabled through an additional wired or wireless port 5214 not connected to either bus 5210 and 5212. This enables rapid download of data in both directions and reprogramming of functions, for example by means of a WINS NG gateway and its connection to the Internet, WINS NG servers, and databases.
  • a number of embodiments ofthe WINS NG network enable more efficient usage ofthe bus.
  • more signal processing takes place at the source (e.g. for sensors within a Pico WINS or WINS NG device) so that processed rather than raw data is transferred around the network.
  • multiple low speed devices can be coupled on a separate physical wire, with aggregation of their data at an interface device to the IDB-C bus (e.g. a WINS device), thereby lowering the cost of their communications connectors.
  • the WINS NG node interfaces to a variety of buses and wireless networks, and there may be a number of WINS NG devices to deal with networks of varying speeds.
  • the WINS NG nodes perform such functions as routing, security, data processing, and management of external communications so that application requirements are met with the lowest cost. New applications may be downloaded using the external networks so that the system may be upgraded over the life ofthe vehicle. Further, later generation nodes and devices may be added to the network as part ofthe upgrade, taking advantage ofthe self-assembly features of WINS NG systems.
  • the layered processing and APIs in WINS NG nodes can present a common interface to other devices that get added to the vehicle, hiding differences in the sensory and control networks among different vehicle makes.
  • the WINS NG system becomes a universal socket by which devices are added to automotive networks. More broadly, the WINS NG gateways perform a similar function in monitoring and controlling processes in the physical world.

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Abstract

Selon l'invention, la nouvelle génération de radiosenseurs intégrés en réseaux (WINS NG), ou plutôt leurs noeuds, permettent un accès au réseau distribué et à Internet à des senseurs, des commandes et des processeurs profondément intégrés dans du matériel, des dispositifs et l'environnement. Ce réseau WINS nouvelle génération offre de nouvelles fonctions de surveillance et de régulation pour des applications du domaine des transports, de la fabrication, de la santé, de la surveillance de l'environnement, et de la sécurité. Lesdits noeuds WINS nouvelle génération associent la technologie des microsenseurs, le traitement distribué du signal faible puissance, les possibilités de calcul faible puissance et les fonctions réseau radio et/ou câblé faible puissance bon marché dans un système compact. Les réseaux WINS nouvelle génération permettent des fonctions de détection, de régulation locale, de reconfigurabilité à distance et d'intelligence artificielle imbriquées intégrées aux structures, aux matériaux et à l'environnement.
PCT/US2000/027600 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Reseaux de radiosenseurs integres hybrides en inter-reseau, et procede correspondant WO2001026330A2 (fr)

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US15801399P 1999-10-06 1999-10-06
US60/158,013 1999-10-06
US17086599P 1999-12-15 1999-12-15
US60/170,865 1999-12-15
US20839700P 2000-05-30 2000-05-30
US60/208,397 2000-05-30
US21029600P 2000-06-08 2000-06-08
US60/210,296 2000-06-08
US68416200A 2000-10-04 2000-10-04
US09/684,565 2000-10-04
US09/684,388 2000-10-04
US09/684,565 US7020701B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Method for collecting and processing data using internetworked wireless integrated network sensors (WINS)
US09/680,608 US7904569B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Method for remote access of vehicle components
US09/684,387 2000-10-04
US09/684,742 US7844687B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Method for internetworked hybrid wireless integrated network sensors (WINS)
US09/684,490 US7484008B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Apparatus for vehicle internetworks
US09/684,162 2000-10-04
US09/684,706 US8140658B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Apparatus for internetworked wireless integrated network sensors (WINS)
US09/680,550 2000-10-04
US09/680,550 US6735630B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Method for collecting data using compact internetworked wireless integrated network sensors (WINS)
US09/685,019 2000-10-04
US09/685,020 US6832251B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Method and apparatus for distributed signal processing among internetworked wireless integrated network sensors (WINS)
US09/684,387 US7797367B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Apparatus for compact internetworked wireless integrated network sensors (WINS)
US09/684,742 2000-10-04
US09/684,388 US7891004B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Method for vehicle internetworks
US09/684,490 2000-10-04
US09/680,608 2000-10-04
US09/685,020 2000-10-04
US09/685,019 US6826607B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Apparatus for internetworked hybrid wireless integrated network sensors (WINS)
US09/685,018 US6859831B1 (en) 1999-10-06 2000-10-04 Method and apparatus for internetworked wireless integrated network sensor (WINS) nodes
US09/684,706 2000-10-04
US09/685,018 2000-10-04

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PCT/US2000/027793 WO2001026338A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Appareil pour l'acces a distance a des composants d'automobiles
PCT/US2000/027515 WO2001026329A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Procede de collecte de donnees utilisant des detecteurs en reseaux integres sans fil (wins) compacts interconnectes en reseau
PCT/US2000/027602 WO2001026332A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Appareil pour interreseaux dans un vehicule
PCT/US2000/027601 WO2001026331A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Procede relatif a des interreseaux pour vehicules
PCT/US2000/027603 WO2001026333A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Procede de collecte et de traitement de donnees faisant appel aux capteurs wins (wireless integrated network sensors) interconnectes par reseau
PCT/US2000/027513 WO2001026327A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Dispositif a detecteurs de reseau integres sans fil interreseaux (wins)
PCT/US2000/027763 WO2001026337A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Procede d'acces a distance a des composants automobiles
PCT/US2000/027600 WO2001026330A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Reseaux de radiosenseurs integres hybrides en inter-reseau, et procede correspondant
PCT/US2000/027514 WO2001026328A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Dispositif pour capteurs de reseau integre sans fil hybrides interconnectes en reseau

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PCT/US2000/027793 WO2001026338A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Appareil pour l'acces a distance a des composants d'automobiles
PCT/US2000/027515 WO2001026329A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Procede de collecte de donnees utilisant des detecteurs en reseaux integres sans fil (wins) compacts interconnectes en reseau
PCT/US2000/027602 WO2001026332A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Appareil pour interreseaux dans un vehicule
PCT/US2000/027601 WO2001026331A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Procede relatif a des interreseaux pour vehicules
PCT/US2000/027603 WO2001026333A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Procede de collecte et de traitement de donnees faisant appel aux capteurs wins (wireless integrated network sensors) interconnectes par reseau
PCT/US2000/027513 WO2001026327A2 (fr) 1999-10-06 2000-10-05 Dispositif a detecteurs de reseau integres sans fil interreseaux (wins)
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WO2001026327A2 (fr) 2001-04-12
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WO2001026334A3 (fr) 2001-12-27
WO2001026337A3 (fr) 2002-07-18
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WO2001026330A8 (fr) 2003-01-30
WO2001026337A2 (fr) 2001-04-12
WO2001026328A2 (fr) 2001-04-12
WO2001026331A3 (fr) 2002-02-21
WO2001026331A9 (fr) 2002-05-30
AU7871800A (en) 2001-05-10
AU7873000A (en) 2001-05-10
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WO2001026329A3 (fr) 2002-02-07
WO2001026334A9 (fr) 2002-05-16

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