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

本项目重点研究一种重要的网络化嵌入式系统——传感器网络。这种网络已经成为持续感知和分析物理环境的流行平台，从而更好地理解自然现象、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。传感器数据还可用于改善环境保护，基础设施安全和能源效率，仅举几例潜在应用。网络化嵌入式系统的即时性和动态性使其通信协议变得复杂。本研究采用连续误差监测的方法，在传感器网络部署后持续提高可靠性。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框架，用于检测、诊断和纠正传感器网络上的编程错误。传感器网络应用的本质要求硬件组件和软件协议体积小且资源有限。因此，该项目将资源效率作为关键的设计标准之一。该项目的成功将大大提高传感器网络的可靠性，传感器网络的潜在应用非常广泛。该项目还通过荣誉研讨会、特别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）），吸引了各个学科的广泛学生社区。

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).