Investigation of New Algorithms for Locating and Identifying Spatially Distributed Sources and Receivers

Abstract : This report describes the research activities in the Information Systems Laboratory at Stanford University on Distributed Sensor Networks (DSN). The objectives are to develop new and innovative signal processing and computer network techniques with applications to systems employing multiple sensors for target surveillance and tracking. Such systems would be composed of sensors, processors, and data bases distributed throughout an area, interconnected by a suitable communication system. The system will serve a user-community that is also distributed and connected to the same communication system. A basic premise of our approach is that most of the currently available signal processing algorithms are not well suited to the DSN problem because of their highly centralized structure. The straightforward application of standard techniques in the context of distributed networks leads to ad hoc, suboptimal designs. We feel that it is essential to have a more careful look at the basic requirements for developing and implementing distributed algorithms. Our preliminary conclusions were that improved system performance and a more natural system structure will result if innovative signal processing modules will be used; new analytical and computational techniques have to be developed and used in the DSN design, rather than trying to adapt this problem to standard solutions. Accordingly, the major emphasis of our research effort to date has been the development of novel signal processing algorithms which are especially suited to the DSN.