Validity-Based Failure Algebra for Distributed Sensor Systems

Distributed applications dealing with data from networked sensors need some indication about the quality of remote information. This paper describes how to derive a dynamic validity value that represents a measure for the confidence in remote sensor data. In contrast to conventional systems which treats a typical processing chain as a whole, this paper describes how individual characteristic of sensing, detection and filter mechanisms can be assessed and how this assessment can be evaluated to a single validity value. In particular the paper defines respective operations combining the run-time validity estimates of every stage in a processing chain. The combination is evaluated by rules as part of a failure algebra. The paper presents the generation of an application specific validity value which is finally demonstrated in a robotic application.