The Sensor Web Alliance
Advances in sensor technology and distributed computing, coupled with the development of open standards that facilitate sensor/sensor network interoperability, are contributing to the emergence of a phenomenon known as the ‘Sensor Web’. This phenomenon can be described as an advanced Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) in which different sensors and sensor networks are combined to create a sensor-rich feedback control paradigm.
Featuring an advanced and scalable architecture that supports numerous diverse and heterogeneous sensor types, a Sensor Web includes a range of sensors such as flood gauges, air pollution monitors, stress gauges on bridges, Webcams and satellite-borne Earth imaging devices.
A number of organisations are doing their own sensor web research. A collaborative research platform called the Sensor Web Alliance (SWA) has been founded. The aim is to pool resources in the SWA, coordinate research and allow participating organisations to share IP, which will spread risk and lower the cost of entry.
The Sensor Web Alliance webpage is here.
