Artificial Intelligence methods for large microsensor arrays : feasibility and design

Abstract

Recently several authors have turned their attention to the design problems of very large arrays of intelligent sensors, such as would be suitable for inclusion as an integral part of a’ smart structure’. Such systems have architectural and data throughput advantages, but to be used effectively need to be designed so as to be ‘controllerless’ and ‘decentralised’. This paper explores some of these design issues, and illustrates how artificial intelligence (in particular Neural Networks techniques) could be effectively incorporated within the design of large intelligent microsystems with the scope of enhancing their functionality. Micromachined acceleration sensors are considered as a case study.