Networking and Fusion of Disparate Acoustic Sensors for Battlespace Applications

Abstract

A network of distributed acoustic sensor systems on the ground and/or in the air can be used effectively for autonomous and remote intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications. However interoperability of disparate sensor systems is a major challenge for current coalition force applications. Specifically, a network of acoustic sensor nodes can exhibit heterogeneity in a variety of dimensions. At the sensor‐level, the acoustic sensors can vary in their types (e.g., cardioid vs. omni‐direction) and in their responsiveness to transient and continuous sources. At the node‐level, the acoustic systems can vary in their array configuration, platform mobility, node reactiveness (e.g., timeliness of response), and information processing and output. At the network‐level, the acoustic systems can vary in their communication protocols and access mediums. Current R&D efforts within the US‐UK International Technology Alliance seek to develop a "sensor fabric" technology to seamlessly connect disparate systems for networked sensing applications. Results from a recent field experiment to detect and locate moving ground targets, weapon firings, and explosions via a network of disparate acoustic sensor systems and sensing platforms (e.g., PDA's, workstations, motes and unattended ground sensor systems) are presented.