CSR-EHS: Resource-Efficient Monitoring, Diagnosis, and Programming Support for Reliable Networked Embedded Systems

本课题研究的是一种重要的网络化嵌入式系统--传感器网络。这类网络已经成为对物理环境进行连续监测和分析的流行平台，从而更好地了解自然现象、民用基础设施、动物栖息地以及其他重要的科学和工程问题。传感器数据还可以用于改善环境保护、基础设施安全和能源效率等潜在应用。联网嵌入式系统的自组织和动态特性使得其通信协议变得复杂。本研究使用连续错误监测的方法来继续提高传感器网络部署后的可靠性。该项目建立了一个由基于编译器的工具和软件技术组成的检测框架，传感器网络编程错误的诊断和纠正。传感器网络应用的本质要求硬件组件和软件协议较小且受资源限制。因此，该项目使资源效率成为关键设计标准之一。该项目的成功将大大提高传感器网络的可靠性，其潜在应用非常广泛。该项目还通过荣誉研讨会、特殊指导计划和本科生研究机会，如普渡大学的EPICS计划(社区服务工程项目)，吸引了不同学科的广泛学生。

This project focuses on an important kind of networked embedded systemscalled sensor networks. Such networks have become popular platformsfor continuous sensing and analysis of physical environments, leading toa better understanding of natural phenomena, civil infrastructures,animal habitats, and other important scientific and engineering issues.The sensor data can also be used to improve environmental protection,infrastructure safety and energy efficiency, to name a fewof the potential applications.The ad-hoc and dynamic nature of networked embeddedsystems make their communication protocols complex.This research uses the methodology of continuous error monitoring for continued improvementof reliability after the deployment of sensor networks.The project builds a framework consisting of compiler-based tools and softwaretechniques for the detection, diagnosis and correction ofprogramming errors on sensor networks.The nature of the sensor-network applications requires the hardware componentsand software protocols to be small and resource-constrained.The project therefore makes resource efficiencyone of the critical design criteria.The success of this project should contribute substantially tothe reliability of sensor networks whose potential applications are very broad.The project also engages a broad communityof students in various disciplines, through Honor Seminars,special mentoring programs and undergraduate research opportunitiessuch as Purdue's EPICS program (Engineering Projects in Community Services).