9612522 Wilson In this research, we develop a design framework of novel signal processing hierarchies and architectures for distributed sensing systems. We propose to explore a design methodology that combines analog VLSI for customizing front-end signal processing on the sensing plane with generic processing centers located off the sensing plane for performing back-end processing directed toward more complex feature analysis. We seek to apply these distributed signal processing architectures to arrays of sensors that are distributed within and fused across various sensing planes. These sensing planes may be of the same type of sensor but placed at different locations in the sensing environment. Alternatively, different types of sensing planes can be fused for more accurate recognition and confirmation of objects of interest. The applications of distributed systems of this type of architecture are numerous and diverse. The phase of research proposed here does not seek to build systems that satisfy all of these applications nor even systems for a substantial subset of these applications. Rather, this research develops a framework for building and testing novel architectures to be applied to the longer-term design of low- cost, distributed sensing systems that have the capability to process large numbers of sensing stations and sensory points in a variety of environments. ***
