The next generation of networks will move beyond disconnected device-specific networks and systems and toward a distributed infrastructure, with intelligent functions residing across the entire network, from its edge to its core.

New developments bring together RFID and sensors — and add location-identification capabilities.

A survey of more than 700 IEEE Fellows, done by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in conjunction with the Institute for the Future, sought to learn what science and technology developments are most likely to take hold within the next 10 to 50 years.

In the article, "IBM Software Tracks Computers, Trucks," c|netnews.com describes how IBM is planning to offer "unified management tools" capable of tracking IT gear and physical assets—such as trucks and shipping containers—with electronic sensors.

Beef is big business, more than $50 billion/year, in fact. So, it goes without saying that tracking cows is important, especially in the wake of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy a.k.a. mad cow disease) and other animal diseases. The USDA is developing the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) to identify and track individual animals, the aim being to allow the USDA to track a diseased animal back to its source, through every location it's been, within 48 hours. Under NAIS, a national database maintains animal ownership and location histories.

Active RFID tags can store entire manifests and routing schedules as well as sensor data.

The cry of "man overboard!" is second only to "fire on shipboard!" as a general alarm for all hands. But what if no one sees that fellow boater or shipmate (or pet) fall into the drink? The Raymarine (www.raymarine.com) LifeTag system, using Ember's ZigBee (www.zigbee.org) networking technology, does away with that unhappy scenario.

With Honors Jun 1, 2006 By: Barbara G. Goode

The Consumer Electronics Association has named Celestron's SkyScout the "Best of Innovations" in the personal electronics category. The handheld device instantly identifies and/or locates more than 6000 celestial objects viewable to the naked eye, enabled by a built-in GPS receiver and an inclinometer paired with two Analog Devices iMEMS motion sensors. SkyScout "combines sensor data with an internal GPS and a substantial celestial database to dramatically improve how people learn about astronomy," says Richard Hedrick, senior vice president and CTO of Celestron. And, he says, iMEMS "provided the precise and accurate tilt measurement required to enable a very consumer-friendly point-and-shoot product."(http://tinyurl.com/q8prg)

Sensors are being paired with satellites to enable new capabilities. Here's an example: MachineTalker Inc. says its MachineTalker units are now transmitting sensor data and security alerts that can be monitored on the QTRACS Web site of communications technology giant Qualcomm Inc. Qualcomm reportedly has the largest deployed base of GPS tracking systems on trucks.

In Sensors' weblog, Today at Sensors, Executive Editor Stephanie Henkel has been calling for implementation of sensor technology in mining operations to address needless loss of life (www.sensorsmag.com/tas/2006-02-22). Thankfully, U.S. safety regulators are testing wireless systems that can be used to locate and communicate with trapped miners. An article at PhysOrg.com gives details: http://tinyurl.com/lqa2t