Background
Sensor
networks, consisting of potentially very large numbers
of diverse sensors interconnected via low data-rate
communication systems, have the potential to impact
beneficially on many areas of human activity. This area
of sensing technologies and sensor networks is now considered
by international funding agencies such as the European
Commission, the U.S. Defence Advanced Research Projects
Agency and the U.S. National Science Foundation to be
one of the top five emerging technologies that will
shape the future of humankind and have a major impact
on the quality of life of people across the globe over
the next 20 years and beyond. Detection, data gathering
and information management now form part of the fabric
of modern society to increase personal and national
security.
The
development of sensor network technologies is considered
to be of great national importance by virtue of critical
applications directly related to the Australian environment.
Sensor networks are able to gather accurate and reliable
information, enabling early warnings and rapid coordinated
responses to potential natural and external threats.
This encompasses the ability to enhance national security
from hostile threats as well as the ability to save
lives through environmental monitoring of natural disasters.
Sensors can monitor valuable resources and provide protection
from overuse or damage, as well as being able to collect
valuable information previously considered too difficult
and too costly. There is a broad scope of related applications
for sensor networks including environmental monitoring,
homeland security and public safety. With the growing
awareness of climate change and the ‘chaotic’
effects of weather changes, sensor systems are becoming
a key element of environmental management, particularly
for water resources and fire risk.
Sensol
has recently acquired the technology base, client base,
IP portfolio, technical know-how and physical assets
of NR Pty Ltd, a leading technology development company
with 32 years experience in developing sensors for government,
military and industrial purposes. The IP portfolio comprises
a range of sensor technologies, interoperable communications
software, digital video broadcast and surveillance technologies,
signal analysis software, wireless network protocols,
network management software, decision-support tools
and net-centric technologies. The company’s technical
know-how is in signal collection and analysis, transmission
and dissemination of information relating to visual,
audio, magnetic, acoustic and seismic signals, and the
development of self-configuring networks of cost-efficient
sensors that measure their environment, accommodate
disturbances in data flow, and provide valuable and
interpretable information to users.
Sensol
is expanding that portfolio through licensing and acquisition
of related sensor technology (e.g. Infra red sensor
products), sensor tracking systems and sensor applications.
The company intends to expand its capability to encompass
indoor sensor systems consisting of arrays of microsensors
powered by indoor solar cells to service the multi-billion
dollar building security and information system market. |
