Injection of simulated sources in a system of networked sensors

Abstract

Simulated sources can be injected into a networked system for use in training and/or testing.

1 . A computer-implemented method of determining a response of a detection system, which is capable of detecting a real source, to a simulated source, the detection system comprising a set of nodes connected in a network and located in a given area, each node including at least one sensor capable of sensing the real source, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) operating the set of nodes to at least measure real background data using the at least one sensor of each node in the given area;   (b) receiving at a processor in the network from a plurality of said nodes over the network measured or inferred location data for each node and the real background data measured by each node at a predetermined time in the given area;   (c) receiving at the processor an injection of simulated source data including data on a location of the simulated source and an activity level of the simulated source at the predetermined time;   (d) calculating, by the processor, estimated simulated response data for each node at the predetermined time based at least on the measured or inferred location data received from each node and the real background data measured by the node at the predetermined time received at step (b) and the simulated source data received at step (c);   (e) determining, by the processor, based on the estimated simulated response data for all the nodes whether a real source at the predetermined simulated source location having the predetermined simulated source activity level would have been detected at the predetermined time; and   (f) signaling with an output device whether a real source at the predetermined simulated source location having the predetermined simulated source activity level would have been detected at the predetermined time.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the estimated simulated response data calculated in step (d) for each node to that node over the network for further processing by the node. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the further processing by the nodes comprises triggering an alarm or reporting data to a user of the node. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a centralized computer processor connected by the network to each of said nodes. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (a) further comprises operating the nodes to simultaneously detect a real source. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining a response of a detection system to the simulated source is performed without alerting users operating the nodes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the background data comprises background radiation data. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensors are either radiation detectors or chemical detectors. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein steps (a) to (f) are repeatedly performed a plurality of times. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said nodes is stationary and at least one of said nodes is mobile. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the simulated source has a predetermined simulated source spectral characteristic comprising an emission spectrum of predetermined isotope, and wherein step (d) comprises calculating the estimated simulated response data for each node based in part on the predetermined simulated source spectral characteristic. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the simulated source has a predetermined directional emission characteristic, and wherein step (d) comprises calculating the estimated simulated response data for each node based in part on the predetermined directional emission characteristic. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises receiving from a plurality of said nodes over the network measured or inferred orientation data for each node at the predetermined time, and step (d) comprises calculating estimated simulated response data for each node based in part on the measured or inferred orientation for that node at the predetermined time. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising designating one of the plurality of nodes as a designated prey node, and wherein the simulated source location at the predetermined time comprises the measured or inferred location of the prey node at the predetermined time. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises receiving at the processor from the plurality of said nodes at least one measured or inferred environmental condition; and wherein step (d) comprises calculating the estimated simulated response data for each node at the predetermined time based in part on the measured or inferred environmental condition for that node. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one environmental condition is at least one of (a) rate, amount, or type of precipitation, (b) wind speed and/or wind direction, (c) ambient temperature, (d) humidity, and (e) barometric pressure. 
     
     
         17 . A detection system capable of detecting a real source, comprising:
 a plurality of nodes located in a given area, each node including at least one sensor capable of at least measuring real background data and sensing the real source in the given area;   a processor connected to each of the plurality of nodes over a communications network, said processor configured to:   (a) receive from a plurality of said nodes over the network measured or inferred location data for each node and the real background data measured by each node at a predetermined time in the given area;   (b) receive an injection of simulated source data including data on a location of the simulated source and an activity level of the simulated source at the predetermined time;   (c) calculate estimated simulated response data for each node at the predetermined time based at least on the measured or inferred location data received from each node and the real background data measured by the node at the predetermined time and the simulated source data;   (d) determine based on the estimated simulated response data for all the nodes whether a real source at the predetermined simulated source location having the predetermined simulated source activity level would have been detected at the predetermined time; and   (e) signal with an output device whether a real source at the predetermined simulated source location having the predetermined simulated source activity level would have been detected at the predetermined time.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the processor comprises a centralized computer processor connected by the network to each of said nodes. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said nodes is stationary and at least one of said nodes is mobile. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein one of the plurality of nodes is a designated prey node, and wherein the simulated source location at the predetermined time comprises the measured or inferred location of the prey node at the predetermined time.