United Mesh Solutions proposes developing an interactive wireless sensor mesh prototype to enable Navy to better track, monitor and report the identity, location, and health/condition of critical/high interest items. These same attributes have significant value to the commercial logistics industry. The prototype will feature a mist microchip tag with advanced software, extended memory, encryption, E-ink display, and low-energy Bluetooth capability. We will suggest use cases and develop a bench-top demonstration to show what the tags can display, how they can support Navy logisticians and forward-deployed personnel; and how they can feed data to NAVSUPs Naval Autonomous Data Collection System. This project provides an ideal opportunity to demonstrate in Phase II how Navy can achieve a hands-free, enterprise-wide, and autonomous system, providing timely secure asset visibility ensuring dynamic data availability and earlier response actions. Use cases could include F-35 or submarine components, and medical or expeditionary force assets. Our prototype offers remote programming, continuous hands-off reporting; sensors for event reporting; extended battery life; a bi-directional network protocol allowing autonomous operation; FIPS-140 security; HERO approved; and self-healing/reconfiguration capability. Use cases will validate whether mist can improve workflow, save money, reduce risk, and enhance logistics response to Naval and USMC forces worldwide.
Benefit: Proposal cost is $150,000.00. Our proposed mist wireless sensor mesh research and development initiative can provide significant benefits to enable the Navy to accelerate the deployment of dynamic, hands-free logistics systems in a secure and reliable manner. This will allow managers to better track, monitor and report the identity, health, and status of high interest items. The result is lower operational and manpower costs, reduced risk, better management and utilization of limited assets, timelier and more accurate data, and enhanced support to the fleet, facilities and expeditionary forces. These attributes are of value to government and commercial entities who track assets and personnel. US Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency and US Postal Service have expressed an interest in using mist to enhance their workflow processes as have commercial entities such as the cruise lines for tracking crew and passengers for safety, health and security purposes; and ranchers for tracking the health and location of cattle. With more commercial and government users, and as Moore's Law leads to further chip technology advancements and lower costs, more uses will surface, such as integration with supply chain ordering systems, maintenance scheduling systems, medical and emergency response efforts.
Keywords: Wireless Sensor Mesh, Wireless Sensor Mesh, E-ink display, FIPS-140 security, low-energy Bluetooth, Naval Autonomous Data Collection System (NADACS), asset tracking, mist, extended memory