SBIR-STTR Award

Mobile-Agent-Based Autonomous Data Fusion for Distributed Sensors
Award last edited on: 11/1/2018

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Navy
Total Award Amount
$594,728
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
N091-068
Principal Investigator
Liang Tang

Company Information

Impact Technologies LLC

200 Canal View Boulevard
Rochester, NY 14623
   (585) 424-1990
   info@impact-tek.com
   www.impact-tek.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 25
County: Monroe

Phase I

Contract Number: N00014-09-M-0171
Start Date: 5/15/2009    Completed: 5/22/2010
Phase I year
2009
Phase I Amount
$99,772
Impact Technologies, LLC in collaboration with Wright State University and Northrop Grumman, proposes to develop and demonstrate a mobile-agent-based decentralized data fusion system that fuses the data from geographically-dispersed heterogeneous sensors into an integrated ISR information system. Unlike conventional centralized methods, in which each sensor sends local information to a processing center for integration, in the proposed approach, data will first be processed on the sensor nodes, then fused locally within a group of unmanned vehicles using lightweight mobile-agents before the information is further fused at system level. Instead of transmitting large amounts of data over the network, the mobile-agent with partially integrated results migrates from one node to another performing data fusion at each node visited. This results in a reliable power-efficient data fusion process that improves decision accuracy in a progressive fashion without requiring a high bandwidth. The system will be built on a hierarchical open system architecture using standard protocols while the software implementation and integration will follow a well-established system engineering approach. At the conclusion of Phase I, a design concept will be developed and feasibility will be demonstrated through software simulation using typical littoral ISR scenarios.

Benefit:
The seamless integration of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) into a network of ships, unmanned vehicles and offboard sensors, each equipped with dissimilar communications, command and control systems demands the development of an advanced autonomous data fusion system. The result of this program will contribute directly to that effort. The data/sensor fusion problem permeates a large sector of government and industry operations. Breakthrough technologies intended to improve the practicality and reliability of data fusion systems for large distributed sensor networks will benefit air traffic control, surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue operations, border patrol and law enforcement operations, and distributed fault diagnostics, among many others. When integrated into a distributed monitoring environment, such technological advances can reduce the risk of false identification while achieving communication and power efficiency. The aerospace, air traffic control, transportation and other industries stand to benefit from the introduction of these innovative technologies into their operations. Northrop Grummans involvement in this project will significantly benefit the demonstration and commercialization of the proposed technology.

Keywords:
data fusion, data fusion, progressive accuracy, Mobile Agent, Open System Architecture, Distributed Sensor Network, Unmanned Systems

Phase II

Contract Number: N00014-10-C-0324
Start Date: 9/1/2010    Completed: 2/29/2012
Phase II year
2010
Phase II Amount
$494,956
Autonomous Data Fusion is an essential technology to support the non-traditional surveillance systems that employ small autonomous systems communicating with each other forming a distributed sensor network. Based on the Phase I achievements, Impact Technologies in collaboration with Wright State University, Virginia Tech and Northrop Grumman, proposes to further develop, mature and demonstrate with field trials a mobile-agent-based decentralized data fusion system that fuses the data from sensors deployed on unmanned vehicles into an integrated ISR information system on the combat ships. The proposed data fusion architecture is a three-level system which performs data processing and fusion at Node, Group, and System levels, respectively. The system has a number of advantages over conventional solutions: 1) communication bandwidth requirement and energy consumption are reduced by sending light-weight mobile-agents instead of sending data between the nodes; 2) progressive decision accuracy is achieved as the mobile-agents traverse the network performing Bayesian data fusion on the nodes; 3) real-time requirements are fulfilled by the Anytime algorithm design; 4) improved reliability; and 5) high scalability. Thorough and extensive experimental tests and field trials will be carried out on heterogeneous USVs to validate the developed technologies and facilitate the technology transition.

Benefit:
Successful implementation and deployment of the developed technology will benefit not only military applications but also commercial ones. Based on the developed data fusion system, more reliable, energy/bandwidth efficient and cost effective distributed system is able to build to meet the increasing requirements on timely and persistent ISR capabilities. The systems Open System Architecture enables its deployment on various heterogeneous systems. The system will enable distributed combatant units be fully-networked and information-integrated to obtain better situation awareness and more capabilities at their disposal which are essential in Navy and joint force operations. The technology is generic and with numerous potential applications to Navy, Army, Department of Homeland Security, mission logistics, mission reconfiguration, command and fire control, and law enforcement, among others.

Keywords:
Distributed Sensor Network, Unmanned Systems, mobile agents, Autonomous data fusion, USV, heterogeneous sensors, UAV, Bayesian fusion