Title of Presentation: What a 'Web Sensor' can do for 'Sensor Webs'

Primary (Corresponding) Author: David Piet

Organization of Primary Author: Goddard Space Flight Center

Co-Authors: Irving Linares, Manohar Deshpande, Phyllis Hestnes, and Lawrence Hilliard

Abstract: The Expandable Reconfigurable Instrument Node (ERIN) component and Web Sensor Strand (WSS) technique can be used to enable a local continuum of hydrology measurements. 2nd generation ERINodes, will weigh in at 2-3 pounds, so that they can be mounted on slow and low flying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) which offer a unique viewing angle and an advantageous dwell time for calibrating satellite measurements, plus the local continuum can patch together, in-situ sensors in the sensor web with a remote sensing measurement with higher spatial resolution. For example, one would be able to see under tree canopies and measure the effects of tree cover at the drip-line, seasonal variations (e.g. leaves on the ground), and fresh water tracking in mountainous areas and perform coastal salt/water tracking where it affects human activity, flora, and fauna.

The current technology development has two ERINodes which will demonstrate a Web Sensor Strand by pulsing an L-Band radar simultaneously, and then tagging them precisely with time, position, and pointing data so that the interferometric baseline formed between the two coherent nodes can be captured with backscatter and forward scatter (from the other node).

The paper will report on the current status of the ERIN WSS Technology Development Project and predict itís niche in the current NASA satellite mission Aquarius, and Decadal Study missions such as Soil Moisture Active-Passive (SMAP) , Snow and Cold Land Processes (SCLP), ICESat-II and Deformation, Ecosystem Structure, and Dynamics of Ice (DESDynI).