An artificial immune system strategy for robust chemical spectra classification via distributed heterogeneous sensors

The timely detection and classification of biological agents in a hostile environment is critical for increasing protection in critical areas. This paper proposes a strategy for identifying biological agents via distributed sensors with an artificial immune system (AIS). The proposed system is composed of networked sensors and nodes, communicating via wireless or wired connections. Measurements are continually taken via dispersed redundant sensors strategically placed in threat areas. These sensors continually measure and categorize air or liquid samples, alerting surrounding nodes when possible biological agents are detected. Detection is based upon the biological immune system (BIS) model of antigens and antibodies, and alerts are generated when a measured sample is determined to be a valid biological agent (antigen). Biological agent signatures (antibodies) are continually distributed throughout the system to adapt to changes in the environment or to new antigens.