The Smart Sensor Web (SSW) will provide the Warfighters at lower echelons the decision dominance required to fight and win. To make such a system a reality several obstacles must be overcome. Some of the challenges facing such a system include, but are not limited to, the following: establish reliable and accurate contact reports, work within system bandwidth constraints, operate amongst obstacles but continue to transmit data through these obstacles, fit within system size, weight and power constraints, ensure seamless communication between platforms, decision makers and warfighters, be produced at a reasonable cost. One key to a successful SSW is the integration of a wireless network onto smart sensor platforms in such a way as to minimize bandwidth loading and maximize the ability of the sensors to work in a cooperative environment. This effort will focus on designing a system which utilizes COTS technology, including emerging standards for wireless communications (e.g. Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (a) & (b), and homeRf) and leverage ongoing efforts to develop a robust yet cost effective Image Web component of the SSW. This module will form a communications node on the wireless Smart Sensor Web. This node will be capable of communicating with peer sensors and searching for data that can be correlated or used by a requesting Warfighter. The module prototype built under this effort will be useable in a testbed for evaluation and future revisions to the concept. Additionally this module will allow for the exercising of critical technologies associated with the Smart Sensor Web. This communications module can be used as a component of commercial wireless web systems that searches consumer networks such as Bluetooth piconets. Once it is proven that Bluetooth protocol can be used, a networked system of data gathering can be used for security, firefighting and field research applications.
Keywords: Sensor, Intelligent, Location, Surveillance, Web, Communications, Wireless, Target
