Reconfigurable sensor networks with a real time optimization method

Sensor networks and particularly body sensor networks have been extensively studied during the last years due to the huge number of applications and possibilities which they can offer. On the other hand, the new methods of array synthesis and the new advances in computers and optimization techniques have demonstrated the flexibility of arrays in terms of radiation patterns to be able to obtain low side lobe levels (SLL), or nulls or beams at certain directions by changing the feeds (amplitude and phase) and/or the positions of the elements. In this paper, we propose the use of optimization techniques based on gradient algorithms to reconfigure the feeds of the elements of a body sensor network to obtain, cooperatively and in real time, relatively directive beams at certain angles. Applications of this idea to locate and track workers doing risky activities such as firemen, policemen or mountaineers are straightforward.