Transfer data to multiple nodes
This NSTIx Op-Tech Co-Creation Space (OCCS) challenge seeks to develop the transfer of data to multiple nodes to be able to maximise an intelligent sensor node mesh.
Opportunity
Challenge opens
14/08/2023
Challenge closes
22/09/2023
Benefit
This Challenge is seeking to collaboratively develop a concept demonstrator of transfer of data to multiple over a 12-week period. An expected start date for this 12-week activity is 4-8 weeks after the proposal deadline of 22/09/23. Funding is up to a maximum of ~£60k per funded proposal. Additional funding may be made available for collaborative proposals. If this initial project shows the concept to be feasible, and the Co-Creation team agree, follow-on project funding will be likely, so it would be useful to see a route to exploitation beyond the 12 weeks.
Background
The National Security Technology and Innovation Exchange (NSTIx) is a government-led science, technology and innovation partnership that enables coherent and agile delivery of innovative national security outcomes through a co-ordinated and systematic approach to research and capability development.
NSTIx has established a government-led network of themed Co-Creation Spaces (CCS). The CCS’ combine the respective power of specialist public and private sector partners in research, capability development and end user requirements. This supports the development of effective, user-driven technology at pace in areas that are critical to national security. For more information, please see the ‘NSTIx Leaflet’ in digital form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nstix-information- leaflet).
National Security often deploy sensors nodes that do a variety of functions to collect data in uncontrolled environments, such as to provide surveillance information in a difficult environment. The data collected could range from audio, video, radio-frequency, and countless other forms. Historically, a sensor node would be deployed, collect data as a single entity, and then be interpreted by a human either in real-time or at a later date.
However, with the rise of cheap low equity sensor nodes, there is the potential to deploy many more sensors in much more complex operational environments to gather significantly more data. Using the historical ways to collect data does not scale as it now becomes way too complex for a human to manage in the same way. By deploying ever increasing sensor node meshes, there is an opportunity to build intelligence into this system, with this Challenge focused on the secure transport of data within the sensor node mesh.
A related field that could be used for inspiration is a “smart” office environment, citing a study by Deniz Tuzcuoglu et al.. “Smart” offices of the future will look at occupancy usage, use sensor data to provide thermal comfort for the occupants, collect behavioural data to avoid occupational stress, adjust lighting and acoustics autonomously depending on the user preferences at that moment in time. This complex system could be used to increase the user experience, leading to a happier and more productive work force. It is clear however with this complexity in a sensor node mesh, the data collected and processed, and the autonomous adjusting of the physical environment (e.g., thermostat change) that there needs some intelligence in the system in both the compute side but also the communication within the sensor node mesh.
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