Adaptive Microsensor Systems

We provide a broad review of approaches for developing chemosensor systems whose operating parameters can adapt in response to environmental changes or application needs. Adaptation may take place at the instrumentation level (e.g., tunable sensors) and at the data-analysis level (e.g., adaptive classifiers). We discuss several strategies that provide tunability at the device level: modulation of internal sensing parameters, such as frequencies and operation voltages; variation of external parameters, such as exposure times and catalysts; and development of compact microanalysis systems with multiple tuning options. At the data-analysis level, we consider adaptive filters for change, interference, and drift rejection; pattern classifiers that can adapt to changes in the statistical properties of training data; and active-sensing techniques that can tune sensing parameters in real time. We conclude with a discussion of future opportunities for adaptive sensing in wireless distributed sensor systems.