Sensor networks as a new type of civil infrastructure -- GPS on every roof

Recent developments in micro-fabrication technology have enabled the development of sensors that perform better, are smaller, and cost less than conventional sensors. By combining the latest sensors with CPU and wireless technologies, the Oguni Laboratory has made it possible to develop high-performance, low-cost sensor nodes, which provide added value through measurement, computation, and communication capabilities. In addition, new possibilities are being opened up by using lots of these sensor nodes to create a sensor network.

Q."A sensor network consists of sensors that gather data, and a CPU to process the data. A sensor node is a device with wireless communication as well. A sensor network is a single system with lots of sensor nodes scattered throughout a space, where they share information and work in coordination. "

Sensor networks in urban areas will measure, process, and communicate data for physical quantities such as acceleration, temperature, wind direction, wind speed, rainfall, and sunshine. If this measured data is processed through sophisticated computation, it'll be possible to instantly obtain high quality information that helps in an emergency such as an earthquake or flood, or information that's useful in daily life. Such networks may become a new type of civil infrastructure.

Q."What we're developing now, as a specific example of new types of sensor network or infrastructure, is called GPS on Every Roof. The main impetus for developing this was the fact that, when lots of buildings collapsed during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, that information didn't emerge for half a day or even a full day. If GPS is installed on every roof, then in an earthquake, it'll be possible to tell how many buildings have collapsed and in what directions. And if this information can be gathered within, say, 30 minutes using wireless communication, it could be plotted on a map, showing which roads are blocked by collapsed buildings. In this way, it would be possible to gather information about where the damage is most severe. This would be the beginning of a disaster prevention system. That kind of information would be extremely effective for establishing such a system, so we think it's important to build this sort of thing."

The Oguni Lab is also researching various other applications for sensor nodes. As a new science for the future, it's possible to suggest new things by integrating various technologies that already exist. The people exploring this new science may have a uniquely creative vision.

Q."The science of the future won't be doable with knowledge from just one field. What will be needed is the ability to integrate knowledge from a variety of fields to create new things. I think it may become very important to obtain an education from specialists in various fields, and pursue research with a vision of what might be achieved by integrating those disciplines. "

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Keio
• University
• Oguni's
• group
• GPS
• on
• every
• roof
• Wireless
• communication
• Sensor
• node
• networks