Charlottesville, August 29, 2005
By: Charlie Feigenoff
University of Virginia systems engineer Barry Horowitz doesn’t believe in starting from scratch. When it comes to software for complex applications, it’s often too expensive, too disruptive, and too risky to scrap an existing system for a new one. So, when challenged to devise ways to create more versatile mote networks, those sci-fi networks of thousands of pint-sized wireless sensors being developed by the military and others, he naturally turned to an existing software program. Collaborating with computer scientist Jorg Liebeherr, he is reconfiguring Liebeherr’s HyperCast program—originally designed to promote data transfer among thousands of users on the Internet—for use by mote network devices.
In particular, Horowitz is helping adapt HyperCast to distribute information from a mote network to ad hoc groups of users. The nature of the information gathered by the network determines how it is handled and who sees it. For instance, a mote network might be used to provide security for a nuclear power plant. During a specific emergency, only those responders with the appropriate skills and resources could be contacted. As the crisis evolves and the nature of information being gathered by the mote network shifts, the ad hoc information group would also change. “Our goal is to get the right information to the right person in the right way,” says Horowitz. “Even as the situation evolves over time.”
In addition, the reconceptualized HyperCast allows engineers to create systems that automatically reconfigure to use computing power and communication channels more efficiently, that are capable of generating self-tests, and that lend themselves to simulation.
Ultimately, however, Horowitz’ interest in repurposing systems extends beyond HyperCast and remote networks. He views his HyperCast work as a trial run that will illuminate issues that must be addressed to reconfigure the highly complex legacy systems that often run mission-critical telecommunications and military applications.
“U.S. leadership in technology translates into an increasing reliance on legacy systems as time goes by,” he notes. “We have to learn to reconfigure them for today’s demands.”
Horowitz is a professor of systems and information engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from New York University and served as chairman and CEO of Concept 5 Technologies, an e-business systems development company specializing in applying EAI and security technologies to B2B systems. He also has served as president and CEO of Mitre Corporation, a high tech systems engineering company focused on major government and electronics systems in defense, aviation, criminal justice, space, education and health care.
He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and currently serves as consultant to the Defense Science Board, the Army Science Board, the Naval Studies Board and the Transportation Research Board.
