Large scale data collection using networks of heterogeneous vehicles and sensors

This paper presents recent developments from the Underwater Systems and Technology Laboratory in order to integrate data received simultaneously from static and free-moving wireless sensors as well as unmanned vehicles, allowing real-time access of data using ubiquitous technologies. Live data is communicated using pre-established XML data formats and using the HTTP protocol for communication. Compatible systems may both send or receive this data following a publish/subscribe design pattern. Here, we describe the architecture as well as the various systems that make part of it: operational consoles, unmanned vehicles, wireless sensor networks and drifting sensors. The entire system is evaluated by presenting results from a real-world experiment.