Building a Sensor Ontology: A Practical Approach Leveraging ISO and OGC Models

Abstract - This paper describes the approach to building OntoSensor: a prototype sensor knowledge repository compatible with evolving Semantic Web infrastructure. OntoSensor includes definitions of concepts and properties adopted in part from SensorML, extensions to IEEE SUMO and references to ISO 19115. Simple queries have been developed and tested using Protege 2000 and Prolog. Although OntoSensor is in the early development stage, it presents a practical approach to building a sensor knowledge repository. It is proposed that OntoSensor may serve as a component in comprehensive applications that include more advanced inference mechanisms. Such comprehensive applications will be used for synergistic fusion of heterogeneous data in a network-centric environment. Keywords: Data Fusion, Semantic Web, Sensor Ontology 1.0 Introduction The assessment of situations and strategies in complex environments requires the fusion of information from heterogeneous data sources including sensors [1]. Synergistic fusion of data from multiple sensors ranging in complexity from simple acoustic sensors to sophisticated imaging equipment such as Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensors will lead to the extraction of knowledge that cannot be perceived or inferred using individual sensors alone. For example, information from diverse sources such as sensors on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), reconnaissance reports and satellite imagery can be integrated to obtain high-level knowledge of objects in an area under surveillance including their spatial and temporal interrelationships; and to generate predictions of their intentions, positions and alignments in future states.