Award Abstract #0216137
MRI: Acquisition of Research Infrastructure for Distributed Sensor Applications in the Home of the Future

NSF Org:	CNS Division of Computer and Network Systems
Initial Amendment Date:	April 29, 2002
Latest Amendment Date:	April 29, 2002
Award Number:	0216137
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Rita V. Rodriguez CNS Division of Computer and Network Systems CSE Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering
Start Date:	September 1, 2002
Expires:	August 31, 2005 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$103870
Investigator(s):	Rahul Simha simha@gwu.edu (Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	George Washington University 2121 Eye Street NW Washington, DC 20052 202/994-6255
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):	0000099 Other Applications NEC
Program Reference Code(s):	HPCC, 9218, 1189
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT

EIA-0216137

Rahul Simha

George Washington University

MRI: Acquisition of Research Infrastructure for Distributed Sensor Applications in the Home of the Future

This proposal, developing an infrastructure for applications that can exploit a network of sensors and actuators in the home environment, extends work already in progress on future technologies aiming at launching a long-term research program around the Home-21 theme with a broader base of applications and a stronger research focus. Applications (with respective examples) involve:

1. Sensors distributed around the home (detecting intrusion),

2. Sensors on an occupants (helping monitor infirm or disabled occupants), and

3. Sensors on a service provider (helping a fireman navigate a burning home).

Faculty with research interests in networking, human-computer interaction, MEMS devices, sensors and biomedical engineering will collaborate on a single infrastructure to support these classes of applications. Although the theme centers on the home of the future, the infrastructure and applications apply to other living environments including, for example, hotels, dormitories, offices, ships, and assisted-living facilities. Special attention will be devoted to applications that will use sensors and actuators on occupants at multiple level of granularity, coarse-grained (location of occupant within the house) and fine-grained (movement of limbs). Such applications involve placing sensors on the occupant that are wireless connected to algorithms that track movement and can, in some cases, also send location-specific feedback (via the actuators) in accordance with the desired objective. Ancillary projects involve Safety (falls, fire, etc.), Security (intrusion monitoring), Health Monitoring Measuring (measuring telemedicine applications, monitoring and relaying vital signs), and RF monitoring (controlling harm from electromagnetic radiation). The equipment, including magnetic trackers, wireless equipment, RF analyzer and software, and support equipment, serves as a testbed for senior design students. Hence, a key component is its focus for undergraduate research and training.

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