Instrumentation for Wireless Agent Networks and Sensor Webs

Abstract : Instrumentation for three types of wirelessly networked systems was requested and acquired in this project in order to extend the experimental capabilities of several existing and proposed defense research efforts. The three types of networks and the work they enabled are: (1) 50 IEEE 802.11 wirelessly networked PC's - to support fundamental scalability studies of ad hoc wireless networks and larger-scale performance experiments of mobile agent systems; (2) 50 IEEE 802.11 wirelessly networked palm or handheld PC's - for scalability studies of end-user performance, ad hoc networking and collaborative mission-oriented agent systems using smaller, lighter and limited-functionality computing devices; (3) COT's components - for 100 wirelessly networked, lightweight computing and sensory devices to begin experimentation with the networking paradigms for and capabilities of wirelessly connected commodity sensors that can self-organize into a 'smart sensor web'. Miscellaneous supporting equipment, supplies and development software were also requested and acquired.