Autonomous systems and the sensor web

The sensor web is a collection of interconnected sensors and sensing systems sharing both raw and processed data with a collective capability much greater than that which could be achieved with a single dedicated sensor installation. The analogy is to the World Wide Web as a computer network versus any single computer network installed and operated by a single entity. If the goal of the sensor web for atmospheric science is the complete coverage of the globe, then fixed sensors and mobile sensor systems operated by humans will not be sufficient. Furthermore, we must consider the sensor web coverage area to be a three dimensional space extending from the depths of oceans and other significant bodies of water to space in order to capture the drivers for atmospheric research. This paper describes issues related to the application of autonomous systems in building the sensor web. Key issues to be considered include levels of autonomy, defining requirements for autonomous systems, challenges in the design and deployment of autonomous systems, tactics for autonomously processing data collected from elements of the sensor web, and how to manage networks of autonomous systems.