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

在大范围内探测核材料所面临的最紧迫问题是明显的不确定性。此外，检测和定位问题涉及非平凡和非线性非凸优化，往往陷入局部最小值。该项目通过使用廉价的检测器进行粗略检测和定位，放置检测器以消除局部最小值，在减少通信开销的情况下实现快速分布式定位，同时定位多个源并优化放置检测器并协助其自治自组织，从而开发了基本的新技术。人们日益认识到，目前在公共活动和地区进行核材料探测和定位方面的能力不足。该项目开发了一个综合的网络物理系统，以保护公众免受核和辐射威胁。显然，该项目涉及国家安全问题。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检测或监控打开一个新的框架。该项目的一个关键方面是在信号处理、统计方法、建模和性能分析等领域对我们的研究生和本科生（包括女性和少数民族学生）进行跨学科培训。K-12学生也通过First竞赛和Project-Lead-The-Way成为目标，该竞赛将爱荷华大学工程学院与爱荷华州几乎所有高中学生联系起来。预计该项目将激发高中学生对科学、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.