Project

Localization and Sensing Applications in the Pushpin Computing Network

Groups

Pushpin Computing is a research platform for exploring sensing techniques and algorithms on a dense sensor network of one hundred nodes distributed across the area of two square meters. The goal of this project is to develop distributed estimation applications for the Pushpin network, principally an acoustic-phased array and an artificial retina, which capitalize on the high node-density in the Pushpin system. These algorithms have two challenging requirements which will form the foundation of this research: first, each sensor node must know its position in a globally agreed upon, ad hoc coordinate system; and second, time synchronization must be achieved and maintained throughout the entire network. At the moment, we are developing a novel localization approach based on creating points of correspondence which are shared by all nodes by using ultrasonic ranging techniques.