CAREER: Data Management for Ad-Hoc Geosensor Networks

This project explores data management methods for geosensor networks, i.e. large collections of very small, battery-driven sensor nodes deployed in the geographic environment that measure the temporal and spatial variations of physical quantities such as temperature or ozone levels. An important task of such geosensor networks is to collect, analyze and estimate information about continuous phenomena under observation such as a toxic cloud close to a chemical plant in real-time and in an energy-efficient way. The main thrust of this project is the integration of spatial data analysis techniques with in-network data query execution in sensor networks. The project investigates novel algorithms such as incremental, in-network kriging that redefines a traditional, highly computationally intensive spatial data estimation method for a distributed, collaborative and incremental processing between tiny, energy and bandwidth constrained sensor nodes. This work includes the modeling of location and sensing characteristics of sensor devices with regard to observed phenomena, the support of temporal-spatial estimation queries, and a focus on in-network data aggregation algorithms for complex spatial estimation queries. Combining high-level data query interfaces with advanced spatial analysis methods will allow domain scientists to use sensor networks effectively in environmental observation. The project has a broad impact on the community involving undergraduate and graduate students in spatial database research at the University of Maine as well as being a key component of a current IGERT program in the areas of sensor materials, sensor devices and sensor. More information about this project, publications, simulation software, and empirical studies are available on the project\u27s web site (http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~nittel/career/)

Fine Grained Robotics

Fine grained robotics is the idea of solving problems utilizing multitudes of very simple machines in place of one large complex entity. Organized in the proper way, simple machines and simple behaviors can lead to emergent solutions. Just as ants and termites perform useful work and build communal structures, gnat robots can solve problems in new ways. This notion of collective intelligence, married with technologies for mass-producing small robots very cheaply will blaze new avenues in all aspects of everyday life. Building gnat robots involves not only inventing the components from which to put together systems but also developing the technologies to produce the components. This paper analyzes prototype microrobotic systems, specifically calculating torque and power requirements for three locomotion alternatives (flying, walking and swimming) for small robots. With target specifications for motors for these systems, we then review technology options and bottlenecks and sort through the tree of possibilities to pick and appropriate path along which we plan to proceed.MIT Artificial Intelligence Laborator

Design And Implementation Of Wireles Sensor Networks For Parking Management System

The technology of wirelessly networked micro sensors promises to revolutionize the way we interact with the physical environment. A new approach to solve parking-related issues of vehicles in parking lots using wireless sensor networks is presented. This approach enables the implementation of the Parking Management System (PMS®) in public parking lots found in Airports, Commercial Buildings, Universities, etc. The design architecture of the sensor nodes is discussed here. An overall view of the sensor network, which covers the whole of the parking lot, is also summarized. Detailed description of the software architecture that supports the hardware is provided. A sample experiment for detecting the movement of vehicles by placing the sensor nodes allowing vehicles to pass over it is performed. The readings are sent to a local database server, which gives an indication of the actual number of vehicles parked in the building at any time. This application-oriented project also identifies important areas of further work in power management, communication, collaborative signal processing and parking management

Wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks promise an unprecedented fine-grained interface between the virtual and the physical world. They are one of the most rapidly developing new information technologies, with applications in a wide range of fields including industrial process control, security and surveillance, environmental sensing, and structural health monitoring. The subject of this project is motivated by the urgent need to provide a comprehensive and organized survey of the field. It shows how the core challenges of energy efficiency, robustness, and autonomy are addressed in these systems by networking techniques across multiple layers. The topics covered include network deployment, wireless characteristics, time synchronization, congestion and error control, medium access, standards, topology control, routing, security, data transfer, transport protocols and new technologies and materials in fabricating sensors

Calibration and assessment of electrochemical low-cost sensors in remote alpine harsh environments

This work presents results from an original open-source low-cost sensor (LCS) system developed to measure tropospheric O3 in a remote high altitude alpine site. Our study was conducted at the Col Margherita Observatory (2543 m above sea level), in the Italian Eastern Alps. The sensor system mounts three commercial low-cost O3/NO2 sensors that have been calibrated before field deployment against a laboratory standard (Thermo Scientific; 49i-PS), calibrated against the standard reference photometer no. 15 calibration scale of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Intra- and intercomparison between the sensors and a reference instrument (Thermo Scientific; 49c) have been conducted for 7 months from May to December 2018. The sensors required an individual calibration, both in laboratory and in the field. The sensor's dependence on the environmental meteorological variables has been considered and discussed. We showed that it is possible to reduce the bias of one LCS by using the average coefficient values of another LCS working in tandem, suggesting a way forward for the development of remote field calibration techniques. We showed that it is possible reconstruct the environmental ozone concentration during the loss of reference instrument data in situations caused by power outages. The evaluation of the analytical performances of this sensing system provides a limit of detection (LOD) <5 ppb (parts per billion), limit of quantification (LOQ) <17 ppb, linear dynamic range (LDR) up to 250 ppb, intra-Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) up to 0.96, inter-PCC >0.8, bias >3.5 ppb and ±8.5 at 95 % confidence. This first implementation of a LCS system in an alpine remote location demonstrated how to obtain valuable data from a low-cost instrument in a remote environment, opening new perspectives for the adoption of low-cost sensor networks in atmospheric sciences

Data Management in the Long Tail: Science, Software, and Service

Scientists in all fields face challenges in managing and sustaining access to their research data. The larger and longer term the research project, the more likely that scientists are to have resources and dedicated staff to manage their technology and data, leaving those scientists whose work is based on smaller and shorter term projects at a disadvantage. The volume and variety of data to be managed varies by many factors, only two of which are the number of collaborators and length of the project. As part of an NSF project to conceptualize the Institute for Empowering Long Tail Research, we explored opportunities offered by Software as a Service (SaaS). These cloud-based services are popular in business because they reduce costs and labor for technology management, and are gaining ground in scientific environments for similar reasons. We studied three settings where scientists conduct research in small and medium-sized laboratories. Two were NSF Science and Technology Centers (CENS and C-DEBI) and the third was a workshop of natural reserve scientists and managers. These laboratories have highly diverse data and practices, make minimal use of standards for data or metadata, and lack resources for data management or sustaining access to their data, despite recognizing the need. We found that SaaS could address technical needs for basic document creation, analysis, and storage, but did not support the diverse and rapidly changing needs for sophisticated domain-specific tools and services. These are much more challenging knowledge infrastructure requirements that require long-term investments by multiple stakeholders.

Exploiting Wireless Sensors: a gateway for 868MHz sensors

[ANGLÈS] The great interest in monitoring everything around us has increased the number of sensors that we utilize in our daily lives. Furthermore, the evolution of wireless technologies has facilitated their ubiquity. Moreover, is in locations such as homes and offices where exploitation of the data from these sensors has been more important. For example, we want to know if the temperature in our home is adequate, otherwise we want to turn on the heating (or cooling) system automatically and we want to be able to monitor the environment of the home or office remotely. The knowledge from these sensors and the ability to actuate devices, summon human assistance, and adjust contracts for electrical power, heating, cooling, etc. can facilitate a myriad of ways to improve the quality of our life and potentially even reduce resource consumption. This master?s thesis project created a gateway that sniffs wireless sensor traffic in order to collect data from existing sensors and to provide this data as input to various services. These sensors work in the 868 MHz band. Although these wireless sensors are frequently installed in homes and offices, they are generally not connected to any network. We designed a gateway capable of identifying these wireless sensors and decoding the received messages, despite the fact that these messages may use a vendor?s proprietary protocol. This gateway consists of a microcontroller, a radio transceiver (868-915 MHz), and an Ethernet controller. This gateway enables us to take advantage of all the data that can be captured. Thinking about these possibilities, imultaneously acquiring data from these various sensors could open a wide range of alternatives in different fields, such as home automation, industrial controlling? Not only can the received data be interesting by itself; but when different sensors are located in the same environment we can exploit this data using sensor fusion. For example, time differences in arrival and differences in signal strength as measured t multiple receivers could be used to locate objects. The final aim of this thesis project is to support diverse applications that could be developed using the new gateway. This gateway creates a bridge between the information that is already around us and our ability to realize many new potential services. A wide range of opportunities could be realized by exploiting the wireless sensors we already have close to us.[CASTELLÀ] El gran interés en el seguimiento de todo lo que nos rodea ha incrementado el número de sensores que utilizamos en nuestra vida diaria. Por otra parte, la evolución de la tecnología inalámbrica ha facilitado su instalación. Es en lugares como casas y oficinas donde el aprovechamiento de los datos de estos sensores ha sido más importante. Por ejemplo, si queremos saber si la temperatura en casa es la adecuada para activar el sistema de calefacción (o refrigeración) de forma automática. La capacidad para accionar dispositivos externos y ajustar los contratos de energía eléctrica, calefacción, refrigeración, etc. puede facilitar una gran variedad de formas de mejorar la calidad de nuestra vida y, potencialmente, incluso reducir el consumo de recursos. Este proyecto de tesis ha creado una gateway que detecta el tráfico de sensores inalámbricos con el fin de recoger datos de los sensores existentes y proporcionarlos como entrada a varios servicios. Estos sensores funcionan en la banda de 868 MHz. A pesar de que estos sensores inalámbricos son frecuentemente instalados en hogares y oficinas, generalmente no están conectados a ninguna red. Hemos diseñado una gateway capaz de identificar estos sensores inalámbricos y descodificar los mensajes recibidos, aunque estos mensajes pueden utilizar un protocolo exclusivo del propietario. Esta gateway consta de un microcontrolador, un transceptor de radio (868-915 MHz) y un controlador Ethernet. Esta gateway nos permite tomar ventaja de todos los datos que se pueden capturar. Pensando en todas estas posibilidades a la vez, la adquisición de los datos de estos diversos sensores podría abrir una amplia gama de alternativas en diferentes campos, como la automatización del hogar, control industrial ... No sólo los datos recibidos pueden ser interesantes, sino que los diferentes sensores que se encuentran en el mismo entorno pueden explotar estos datos mediante la fusión de sensores. Por ejemplo, las diferencias de tiempo en la llegada y las diferencias en intensidad de la señal, según lo que determina múltiples receptores también podría ser utilizado para localizar objetos. El objetivo final de este proyecto de tesis es dar apoyo a las diversas aplicaciones que pueden ser desarrolladas utilizando la nueva gateway. Esta gateway crea un puente entre la información que ya está a nuestro alrededor y nuestra capacidad de realizar muchos nuevos servicios potenciales. Una amplia gama de posibilidades puede ser generada mediante la explotación red de sensores inalámbricos que ya están presentes en nuestro alrededor.[CATALÀ] El gran interès en el seguiment de tot el que ens envolta ha incrementat el nombre de sensors que utilitzem en la nostra vida diària. D'altra banda, l'evolució de la tecnologia sense fils ha facilitat la seva instal·lació. És en llocs com cases i oficines on l'aprofitament de les dades d'aquests sensors ha estat més important. Per exemple, si volem saber si la temperatura a casa és l'adequada per activar el sistema de calefacció (o refrigeració) de forma automàtica. La capacitat per accionar dispositius externs i ajustar els contractes d'energia elèctrica, calefacció, refrigeració, etc. pot facilitar una gran varietat de formes de millorar la qualitat de la nostra vida i, potencialment, fins i tot reduir el consum de recursos. Aquest projecte de tesi ha creat una gateway que ensuma el tràfic de sensors sense fils amb la finalitat de recollir dades dels sensors existents i proporcionar-les com a entrada de diversos serveis. Aquests sensors funcionen a la banda de 868 MHz. Malgrat aquests sensors sense fils són sovint instal·lats en llars i oficines, generalment no estan connectats a cap xarxa. Hem dissenyat una gateway capaç d'identificar aquests sensors sense fil i descodificar el missatges rebuts, tot i que aquests missatges poden utilitzar un protocol exclusiu del propietari. Aquesta gateway consta d'un microcontrolador, un transceptor de ràdio (868-915 MHz) i un controlador Ethernet. Aquesta gateway ens permet prendre avantatge de totes les dades que es poden capturar. Pensant en totes aquestes possibilitats a la vegada, l'adquisició de les dades d'aquests diversos sensors podria obrir una àmplia gamma d'alternatives en diferents camps, com ara l'automatització de la llar, control industrial ... No només les dades rebudes poden ser interessants, sinó que els diferents sensors que es troben en el mateix entorn poden explotar aquestes dades mitjançant la fusió de sensors. Per exemple, les diferències de temps en l'arribada i les diferències en intensitat del senyal segons el que determina múltiples receptors també podria ser utilitzat per localitzar objectes. L'objectiu final d'aquest projecte de tesi és donar suport a les diverses aplicacions que poden ser desenvolupades utilitzant la nova gateway. Aquesta gateway crea un pont entre la informació que ja està al nostre voltant i la nostra capacitat de realitzar nous serveis potencials . Una àmplia gamma de possibilitats pot ser generada mitjançant l'explotació de la xarxa de sensors sense fils que ja tenim a prop nostre