CPS: Synergy: A Hybrid Detector Network for Nuclear and Radioactive Threat Detection

大面积探测核材料面临的最紧迫问题是明显的不确定性程度。此外，检测和定位问题涉及到非平凡和非线性的非凸优化问题，通常会陷入局部极小值。该项目开发了全新的技术，使用廉价的探测器进行粗略探测和定位，放置探测器以消除局部极小值，实现快速分布式定位并减少通信开销，同时定位多个源并优化放置探测器并帮助它们自主自组织。人们越来越认识到目前在公共事件和地区的核材料探测和定位方面能力的不足。该项目开发了一个综合的网络物理系统，用于防止核威胁和辐射威胁的公共保护。显然，该项目解决了一个国家安全问题。如果成功，该项目的贡献和成果可能会为使用无线探测器网络在大范围内进行探测或监测开辟一个新的框架。这个项目的一个关键方面是对我们的研究生和本科生，包括女性和少数民族学生，在信号处理、统计方法、建模和性能分析领域进行跨学科培训。K-12学生也通过第一次竞赛和领先项目成为目标，该项目将爱荷华州大学工程学院与几乎所有爱荷华州的高中生联系起来。预计该项目将激发高中生对科学、数学和工程的热情和兴趣。

The most compelling problem confronting detection of nuclear material in a large area is the level of manifest uncertainty. Furthermore, detection and localization problems involve nontrivial and nonlinear non-convex optimization often stuck at local minima. This project develops fundamentally new techniques by using cheap detectors for rough detection and localization, placing detectors to expunge local minima, achieving fast distributed localization with reduced communication overheads, simultaneously localizing multiple sources and optimally placing detectors and assisting in their autonomous self-organization.There is a growing recognition of the inadequacy of current capabilities with respect to nuclear material detection and localization in public events and areas. This project develops an integrated cyber-physical system for public protection against nuclear and radiological threats. Clearly the project addresses a national security issue. If successful, the contribution and results of the project likely open a new framework for detection or monitoring in a large area using a wireless detector network. One of the key aspects of this project is the inter-disciplinary training of our graduate and undergraduate students including female and minority students in the areas of signal processing, statistical methods, modeling and performance analysis. K-12 students are also targeted through the First competition and Project-Lead-The-Way that connects the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa to almost all high school students in Iowa. It is expected that the project will generate enthusiasm and interests in science, mathematics and engineering for high school students.