Article:		Research proposals sought to help identify new mathematical expertise
More Information:		The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is supporting a Programme of Underpinning Defence Mathematics (UDM) through the Industrial Mathematics Knowledge Transfer Network. In the current phase of the UDM Programme, the KTN is working with the Electro Magnetic Remote Sensing Defence Technology Centre (EMRS DTC) to identify priority areas that require access by the defence industry to new mathematical expertise. A call for proposals is now open - evaluation of relevant underpinning mathematical theory with reference to the features of the military context is required. The total budget available is £150k. It is anticipated that this will fund up to 3 research contracts at an approximate cost of £50k each. Proposals are encouraged from researchers not already working with defence experts in EMRS. The closing date for applications is midnight on 31 January 2010. Proposals are invited for research to develop ways to define and measure the amount of information in data or image streams that is relevant to deciding on a particular issue, e.g. detecting, counting and classifying targets. Intended uses of such quantitative measures include: 1. Efficient pre-processing of data or image streams to avoid unnecessary signal processing. For example, there is a requirement for a fundamental understanding of how to define and measure the information content in radar returns with respect to the objectives of detecting, counting and classifying targets. Currently there is insufficient understanding of the theoretical underpinnings to estimate in real time the information content without first carrying out the signal processing. 2. An understanding of compressive sensing from an information theoretic point of view. Such an understanding would help to decide if there are sparser ways to gather data and image streams that still contain the information needed. The aim of compressive sensing is as far as possible to avoid sensing those parts of the data and image streams that do not contribute information of relevance to the military objective. The success of compressive sensing is critically dependent on being able to define and measure the information content with respect to the objectives. 3. Compression that preserves information content to reduce the bandwidth required for communication. For example, image streams from hyperspectral cameras generate much higher data rates than can be accommodated within many military applications. Typically image streams are compressed and communicated for remote image analysis. The challenge is in determining how to compress without losing critical information relevant to military objectives. 4. Improved situational awareness and decision-making through effective data and image fusion. This requires the combination of data and image streams from multiple sources to increase the information content communicated to the decision-maker. The communication and processing overheads of fusion need to be minimized while maximizing the resulting increase in information content available to the decision-maker. A briefing session for the UDM Programme will be held in central London on 12th January 2010 4pm-6pm. If you wish to attend, please contact the KTN administrator Gillian Hoyle in advance to register.
		Further information on how to apply is available
Date:		06 January 2010