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Modular Architecture for Sensor Systems (MASS) : description, analysis, simulation, and implementation

Davis, Jesse Z.; Stark, Douglas P.; Edmonds, Nicholas E.

A particular engineering aspect of distributed sensor networks that has not received adequate attention is the system level hardware architecture of the individual nodes of the network. A novel hardware architecture based on an idea of task specific modular computing is proposed to provide for both the high flexibility and low power consumption required for distributed sensing solutions. The power consumption of the architecture is mathematically analyzed against a traditional approach, and guidelines are developed for application scenarios that would benefit from using this new design. Furthermore a method of decentralized control for the modular system is developed and analyzed. Finally, a few policies for power minimization in the decentralized system are proposed and analyzed.